Chapter 64: Fernando's words hit with the clarity of a sledgehammer, making his position unmistakable.
It was clear that he already had the whole picture, and nothing would catch him by surprise.
The crowd was buzzing with chatter, excited by the unfolding drama.
Journalists, always eager for sensational headlines, sniffed around the chaos, hoping to catch every tantalizing detail.
Hey, isn't that Ferdinand Blakely The big boss of the Everett Group! It is said that Scarlet Snake, the champion of the first Perfumery Competition, years ago, He has won again this time! Many people were dying to see the real Scarlet Serpent face the imposter, but security prevented them from passing.
No cameras, no images.
Melany's insides were twisting with fury, but her hands were tied.
The press was right there, out of reach, but she couldn't let this fiasco take Colton down with it.
The Everett Group was too formidable to provoke, and now, with it confirmed that Allison was really Scarlet Snake, the tables had turned in their favor.
But for Melany to publicly admit to the plagiarism Confess to cheating That would seal her fate in Ontdale, marking her with a permanent stain.
Allison spoke with icy calm.
Everything's settled, Melany.
You still want to pretend it was just a tribute.
The professionals in the crowd smelled blood in the water, and Melany found herself cornered.
“It was my mistake,” he spat, each word dripping with reluctance.
I shouldn't have stolen your formula.
His apology sounded like a stone scraping against metal.
I'm sorry.
Bowing her head, Melany crouched down, offering Allison an exaggerated gesture of submission.
Every second of his public embarrassment was captured by flashing cameras.
His jaw clenched so much he could feel the tension breaking his teeth.
The wave of bitterness and envy swelled inside her like a storm, threatening to drown her completely.
Who could have guessed that Allison was the real Scarlet Snake from the beginning.
From the beginning, Allison had played with her like a well-tuned violin.
Melany he thought his public apology, broadcast for the world to see, would be the final act.
But Allison had no intention of letting Melany - or Colton - off the hook so easily.
Oh, and what about you, Mr.
Stevens.
Allison's voice was calm, but laced with quiet fury.
He accused me of cheating without a single piece of evidence.
Don't you think it's time for you to apologize too?” Allison's gaze drifted lazily to Colton, whose face had lost all color.
Surely admitting your mistakes shouldn't be too difficult, especially for someone of your stature.
CEO of the Stevens Group, saying goodbye gracefully in front of Mr.
Blakely… shouldn't be too much to ask, right.
His words were sharp, each one cut with the weight of unspoken threats.
Allison vividly remembered how Colton had once begged Kellan to open the doors for him.
I knew he had his sights set on teaming up with Ferdinand through this very contest.
Colton hesitated, the gravity of what Allison was suggesting sinking in.
Refusing to apologize would destroy any hope of partnering with Ferdinand.
The consequences would be far worse than a moment of public embarrassment.
He could feel Ferdinand's cold eyes on him, the pressure intensifying as Kellan, standing next to Allison, watched him intently.
The weight on Colton's shoulders felt suffocating, and the unpleasant sensation ran up his spine.
Gritting his teeth, Colton swallowed his pride.
He had no choice but to accept the humiliation.
He should not have wrongly accused Miss Clarke.
As the audience watched, Colton bent at the waist, offering a stiff, perfunctory bow.
"I'm sorry.
" Although the word was small, the hostility in his voice was impossible to mask.
In the quiet shadows of Athton, Colton had been able to digest apologies.
But here, under the relentless spotlight of public scrutiny, his dignity was turning to dust.
Journalists, always eager for a good scandal, snapped photo after photo, capturing the moment in a flurry of bright flashes.
Colton didn't need to see tomorrow's headlines to know that the damage had been done: every major newspaper would soon publish the story of the Stevens Group CEO's public apology.
But for now, it was the only way to stem the tide of indignation and secure third place for Melany.
Under the contest rules, he still had a slim chance of partnering with the Everett Group.
The Everett Group was a giant among advertisers around the world, and with its backing, Colton was confident he could turn the tables.
He silently promised that, once he had their support, he would clear his name in the media and regain control of the situation.
As he raged, the journalists finally managed to breach the security barriers and enter the room.
Their cameras focused on Colton's bowed face, capturing his suppressed fury.
His face darkened further and he murmured, "We can go now.
" He cast a weary glance at the crowd of journalists, already calculating how much it would cost to buy their silence.
Allison, with her sweetest smile, waved them off.
Yes, you can go now.
Goodbye.
Colton's frustration rose, bubbling dangerously beneath the surface.
Just as he was about to leave, Ferdinand's voice cut through the air with casual indifference.
Wait.
Before Colton could realize what was happening, Ferdinand addressed the event organizer with a nonchalant shrug.
Inform the media that this contestant, caught red-handed plagiarizing, is officially disqualified.
The Perfumery Contest maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on dishonesty and deception.
Understood, the organizer, who had been biting his tongue throughout the show, quickly responded.
He was more than happy to comply with the order.
Colton and Melany had not only tarnished the reputation of the competition, but had even unfairly accused a judge.
Now that Ferdinand had spoken, the organizer could not act quickly enough.
Colton and Melany stood frozen, stunned.
Their Eyes widened in disbelief.
They couldn't understand what had just happened.
The disqualification meant that any dreams of future collaboration with the Everett Group were dead in the water.
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