Chapter 56: With Colton interrogating Allison, the one who was most nervous was not the accused, but Melany.
She had never explicitly claimed to be the Scarlet Serpent, but over the years, she had allowed others to believe it.
Correct them No one could prove otherwise, not when the real Scarlet Serpent had long since disappeared from the public scene, rumored to be over sixty years old, possibly dead.
Melany had quietly enjoyed the praise and the mystique attached to that name.
Colton, please… leave it, she whispered, her voice strained with anxiety.
In her mind, coming in third was enough.
She hadn't aimed for the top, I had played it safe.
After all, he had taken Scarlet Snake's formula, added his own tweaks, and used it to garner praise.
Only after double checking the list of participants, confirming Scarlet Snake's absence, had he dared to compete.
But now, Colton was relentless.
No way.
He won't leave after robbing you.
A knot of fear tightened in Melany's chest as she surveyed the crowd, curiosity aroused.
The air felt thick, like a storm about to break out.
This couldn't come to light.
I couldn't.
I had to act fast.
Please, everyone, this is not what it seems.
.
.
Her voice wavered as her eyes filled with tears and she looked around desperately.
I gave Colton a similar perfume once, like gift.
Maybe…maybe Allison smelled it by chance.
Or maybe he was inspired by it.
That would explain why our perfumes share certain similarities.
His tone was careful, deliberately veiled.
She didn't directly accuse Allison of copying, but she planted the seed of doubt, insinuating that Allison had copied her perfume for inspiration.
You've got to be kidding me! Rebecca's voice cut through the tension, hot and indignant.
You're suggesting that Allison copied your perfume.
How daring.
You really think the judges here can't tell the difference between an original and a stupid imitation.
Rebecca's outburst attracted more people, eager to see what all the fuss was about.
Several leaned forward, intrigued, to compare the two perfumes.
Soon, some experts emerged from the crowd, nodding at Rebecca.
It's true.
There are some similarities in the base notes, but number five is leagues ahead.
The complexity… the depth is incomparable.
Number three, on the other hand, is… well, it's pretty basic.
Another commented: It could be a coincidence.
Similar background notes sometimes occur.
But there is no doubt that number five is much more sophisticated.
His words may have seemed diplomatic, but everyone knew better.
In an industry as meticulous as perfumery, two creations based on totally different concepts should not share such surprising similarities.
Perfume number five was like an intriguing story with ups and downs, while number three, although pleasant, was boring and unoriginal, as if its perfumer was hesitant to take a risk.
It seems… as if the number three was… borrowing from the number five.
Finally, someone voiced the unspoken thought that lingered in the room.
Colton intervened, his tone heavy with sarcasm.
Impossible.
Melany's style has been established for years.
It's Allison doing the imitating, and not very well, I might add.
His words were cold, cutting.
It's laughable how anyone can enter these contests nowadays.
Maybe when the lies catch them in court, they won't replace it so funny, Kellan replied, with unwavering conviction.
Lies If you're so sure that number five is a fraud, where's the evidence? Because if not, I'll be happy to help Mrs.
Clarke take this to court.
Let's see how you defend Melany and yourselves there.
The atmosphere became cold.
A chill of terror ran through the crowd and all eyes turned to Colton.
Kellan's firm had a legal team with a… terrifying reputation.
Her lawyers could crush their opponents with ruthless efficiency, bankrupting them without batting an eyelid.
Allison, however, remained calm, her focus not on proving herself to Colton, but on Melany.
His gaze was firm and a slight smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
Earlier, Colton claimed that you were Scarlet Serpent.
You didn't say yes, nor did you say no.
Now that the contest is over, with everyone watching, I'll ask you again, Melany: you're Scarlet Serpent.
The room was buzzing with anticipation, the audience hanging on every word, waiting for Melany's response.
Melany's lips trembled, her composure crumbling as the weight of Allison's question pressed down on her.
He had avoided answering, but Allison was leaving him no escape! Just as Melany stammered an excuse, Colton stood in front of her.
Of course it is! he declared, his voice firm.
Melany is just modest.
He's used a lot of aliases in these competitions, unlike some people who shamelessly cling to their connections.
Rebecca laughed, her voice dripping with disdain as she replied: You can't be serious! Allison is the real Scarlet Serpent.
Some people should be more careful before going around pretending to be someone they can't even measure up to.
His words fell like a stone in the room, and everyone froze.
No one dared to breathe.
Silence hung over them.
Who was the real Scarlet Serpent.
.
.
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