Half an hourter, the deep, resonant ringing of an ancient bell reverberated through the walls, signaling the official start of the contest.


    The sound permeated every corner, reaching every contestant.


    Some were on the verge of copse, clinging to their perfume tubes as if they were life preservers.


    Others were drenched in sweat, their eyes wide with anxiety.


    But there was no escaping the cameras, ever vignt in every room, leaving no chance for cheating.


    Allison, on the other hand, had already calmly finished her work.


    She took a scent strip, gently passed it under her nose, and inhaled.


    The perfume she had created was rtively simple: an evolution of one of her previous creations, capturing the essence of the vast ocean.


    Once all the contestants had presented and numbered their perfumes, the samples were taken to the judges for evaluation.


    An elderly judge with silvery hair picked up perfume number five, his eyes widening in admiration.


    “This… is magnificent.


    The top notes are pure sunlight on the sea, so bright, so full of life.


    But the base notes…” He paused, taking another deep breath.


    “There’s a storm brewing below.


    A stroke of brilliance.


    How they’ve managed to bnce traditional violet with rosemary, giving it that almost ethereal quality… And yet, nothing is out of ce.


    In fact, it addsyers of depth.


    But there’s something… familiar about the base note.


    ”


    The judge at his side was equally impressed, immediately giving him a perfect score.


    ?It reminds me of the fragrance that won the firstpetition at Leswington a few years ago, but this one seems more refined, more mature.


    ?


    The perfume received unanimous praise, with no ratings below a nine.


    In the waiting room, Reba saw Allison as she left the room.


    “Are you okay? You look like you’ve been through quite the ordeal,” Reba asked, passing Allison a ss of wine.


    She knew that creating scents often brought back memories for her.


    With a mischievous smile, Reba teased, “Think of this as your victory toast.


    ”


    Allison''s thoughts, however, were tangled up with the mysteries of the Charisma Company.


    Could this contest be her gateway to meeting its elusive CEO?


    Find out more about her mother’s past? She smiled at Reba and said, “The results haven’t been released yet.


    Maybe we should wait to celebrate.


    ”


    “With your ability? First ce is practically wrapped up for you.


    ” Reba smiled, full of confidence.


    “Don’t worry.


    When the resultse out, I’ll keep an eye on Violet Moon.


    Anyone who can develop charisma is someone worth keeping an eye on.


    She’s definitely in the top ten.


    ”


    Two hourster, the results appeared on the screen.


    All the contestants'' eyes were glued to the scrolling names, revealing the top ten perfumes, each apanied by its number and description.


    In the hall, the perfumes are proudly disyed for all to admire.


    A staff member, smiling brightly, tied a red bracelet around Allison''s wrist.


    “Congrattions, Miss Allison rke! You have won first prize.


    ”


    On the screen, the name “Lemonade” was proudly disyed at the top.


    In second ce was “Violet Moon,” with a note next to it revealing that it represented thepany Charisma.


    Third ce went to Mny.


    Allison wasn’t surprised by her win, but she was focused on something else.


    Scanning the crowd, her eyes found Violet Moon.


    It wasn’t long before she saw a staff member strapping the second ce wristband onto Ken’s wrist.


    “Congrattions on your second ce, Mr.


    Lloyd.


    No one would have guessed that you are the CEO of Charisma Company.


    ”


    Ken''s eyes met hers, giving her a look that said more than words ever could.


    Around her, the room was buzzing with chatter.


    “Congrattions!” rang out from contestant to contestant, though some of the congrattions rang hollow.


    Others whispered behind fake smiles: “Lemonade is so young! Where did shee from? She must be some big shot using a fake name.


    I have to smell her perfumeter.


    ”


    "You don''t know Allison rke? She''s Colton Stevens'' ex-wife! But she didn''te out of nowhere? Who knew she was so talented?"


    "This pageant is full of surprises.


    Who would have thought that Ken Lloyd, with his luxury empire, was Violet Moon, and also the mind behind Charisma Company?"


    "And he already has the biggest business in the world.


    Does he need to get into the perfume industry too? Some people seem to win at everything.


    "


    The room was a cacophony of congrattions, forced smiles, and barely concealed envy.


    Yet amidst the mor, Allison and Ken stood stock still, their gazes locked.


    Their reflections in each other''s eyes reflected the unspoken connection that existed between them, as if the rest of the world had vanished.