Colton, caught between his desire to protect Mny and the mess unraveling before him, forced himself to suppress his frustrations.


    “Let’s not dredge up the past,” he said, his voice tense.


    “Besides, Mny didn’t steal or copy anything.


    She simply added something to your original form.


    Now that it’s in the public domain, the form is worth as much as a broken watch.


    Still, I’m willing to offer you $200,000 aspensation.


    ” Thest sentence escaped his lips like a bitter swallow, each word dragged through clenched teeth.


    “Let’s end it here.


    We can still leave with our heads held high.


    ”


    Mny’s eyes were shining with unshed tears, wearing the look of someone deeply wronged.


    “This isn’t Allison’s fault.


    It’s my fault for creating this misunderstanding.


    Allison has been hiding her identity as the famous perfumer Scarlet Snake for years, and honestly, I’ve always admired her.


    That’s why I’ve spent time studying her techniques in perfumery.


    ”


    With practical ease, Mny sidestepped the real issue, diverting attention from her dishonesty.


    But the public remained skeptical, with a silence full of doubt.


    Noticing the change, Mny burst into tears and wasted no time in ying the victim.


    “Allison,” she said, her voice shaking with manufactured emotion.


    “I know you never liked me, thinking I wrecked your marriage.


    I’ve carried that guilt around for a long time.


    I understand why you’reshing out now, because Colton and I are about to get married.


    ”


    As if on cue, she dropped to her knees, her sobs echoing through the room, painting herself as the sacrificialmb.


    “Allison, if this is what it takes to make amends with you, I will do it.


    But please, I beg you, don’t bring Colton into this.


    You know how much thispetition means to him…”


    He twisted the tale with the skill of a skilled storyteller, presenting the scandal as a love triangle.


    Reba, fed up, retorted: "What a nerve! giarism is giarism, stop trying to divert the conversation from the truth!"


    Allison, cold as ice, added, “Mny, no matter how much you try to spin it, cheating and stealing ideas will be dealt with under the rules of the contest.


    ” Her gaze then shifted to Colton, her tone sharp and unyielding.


    “As for you, staying friends after a divorce? That’s for people who enjoy keeping their lives entangled.


    ”


    “Draggling me into your mess, it’s disgusting.


    ” Allison’s words cut through the air like a de, leaving Colton and Mny reeling, their faces flushed with embarrassment.


    Colton’s face darkened, his voice rising.


    “We can settle thister, but for the record, Mny did not cheat.


    If you actually read the rules…”


    His defense was abruptly cut short as the crowd fell silent, parting like the sea before a storm.


    “Mr.


    kely.


    ”


    A staff member spoke up as a man with a head full of curls approached, wearing a wide, friendly smile.


    “Ken, it’s great to see you here,” the man said casually.


    “Are you still hoping I’ll invest in yourpany?”


    Next to Ken was Ferdinand kely, who added with a smirk: “Strange, isn’t it? The Everett Group is always keen to back new talent, but with the Lloyd family’s wealth, you wouldn’t think my investment would be necessary.


    ”


    The room murmured in recognition: Fernando, the president of the Everett Group, had a reputation for being as sharp as he was shrewd.


    Today, however, his presence radiated a friendly warmth that was oddly disarming.


    But beneath her sparkling eyes and easy smiley the sharp edge of a razor.


    “I think you’re taking advantage of thepetition’s publicity wave tounch your new perfume, Charisma.


    How timely, don’t you think?”


    Kenughed, unfazed.


    “You’re not missing a thing, Ferdinand.


    ”


    Allison watched the exchange with calm reflection, noting the camaraderie between the two men.


    Ferdinand turned to her with a smile that didn''t reach his eyes.


    "Miss rke, I presume.


    I''ve heard a lot about you, winner of the first Perfumery Competition, haven''t I?"


    "I''m ttered, Mr.


    kely," Allison replied politely, though she could not help feeling that, for all his warmth, Ferdinand maintained a distance, a barrier that no one could breach.


    He sighed, almost as if the whole situation bored him.


    “It’s a shame that the contest has been marred by so many unqualified entrants.


    It’s taken a toll on its reputation.


    ”


    His gaze driftedzily to Mny, and his voice dropped to a chilling tone.


    “And if there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s dishonesty.


    So, Miss Johnson, isn’t it time you offered a proper apology?”