Chapter 56: 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 Scarlet Snake, but over the years, she had allowed others to believe it.

Correct them? No one could prove otherwise, not when the real Scarlet Snake had long since disappeared from the public eye, rumored to be in her sixties, possibly dead.

Melany had quietly enjoyed the praise and mystique attached to that name.

“Colton, please… let it go,” she whispered, her voice tight with anxiety.

In her mind, finishing third was enough.

He hadn't aimed for the top, he'd played it safe.

After all, he'd taken Scarlet Snake's formula, added his own tweaks, and used it to garner praise.

Only after double-checking the entry list, confirming Scarlet Snake's absence, had he dared to compete.

But now, Colton was relentless.

“Let him go? No way.

He won’t leave after robbing you.

”

A knot of fear tightened in Melany's chest as she looked out at the crowd, her curiosity piqued.

The air felt thick, like a storm about to break.

This couldn't come to light.

It 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, as a gift.

Maybe… maybe Allison happened to smell it.

Or maybe she was inspired by it.

That would explain why our perfumes share certain similarities.

»

Her tone was careful, deliberately veiled.

She didn't directly accuse Allison of copying, but she planted the seed of doubt, implying 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.

“Are you suggesting that Allison copied your perfume? How impertinent.

Do you really think the judges here can’t tell the difference between an original and a stupid knockoff?”

Rebecca's outburst attracted more people, eager to see what all the fuss was about.

Several leaned forward, intrigued, to compare the two perfumes.

Before long, a few experts emerged from the crowd, nodding at Rebecca.

“True.

There are some similarities in the base notes, but number five is leagues ahead.

The complexity… the depth is unmatched.

Number three, on the other hand, is… well, it’s pretty basic.

”

Another commented: “It could be a coincidence.

Similar base notes do occur sometimes.

But there is no doubt that number five is much more sophisticated.

”

His words may have seemed diplomatic, but everyone knew otherwise.

In an industry as meticulous as perfumery, two creations based on totally different concepts should not share such striking 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 is… borrowing from the number five.

” Finally, someone voiced the unspoken thought that lingered in the room.

Colton chimed in, his tone heavy with sarcasm.

“Impossible.

Melany’s style has been established for years.

It’s Allison she’s imitating, and not very well, I might add.

” His words were cold, cutting.

“It’s laughable how anyone can enter these contests these days.

Maybe when they’re caught lying in court, they won’t find it so funny.

”

Kellan replied, his conviction unwavering.

“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 turned cold.

A shiver of terror ran through the crowd and all eyes turned to Colton.

Kellan’s firm had a legal team with a… terrifying reputation.

His lawyers could crush their opponents with ruthless efficiency, bankrupting them without batting an eyelid.

Allison, however, remained calm, her attention not focused on proving herself to Colton, but on Melany.

Her gaze was firm and a slight smile played at the corner of her lips.

“Earlier, Colton claimed that you were Scarlet Snake.

You didn’t say yes, and you didn’t say no either.

Now that the contest is over, with everyone watching, I’ll ask you again, Melany: are you Scarlet Snake?”

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.

She had avoided answering, but Allison was leaving her no way out now!

Just as Melany stammered an excuse, Colton stepped in front of her.

“Of course she is!” he said, his voice firm.

“Melany is just modest.

She has used a lot of aliases in these competitions, unlike some people who blatantly cling to their connections.

”

Rebecca laughed, her voice dripping with disdain as she retorted, “You can’t be serious! Allison is the real Scarlet Snake.

Some people should be more careful before they go 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 fell over them.

Who was the real Scarlet Serpent?