Outside the towering Breeze Perfumes headquarters, representatives from various fragrance companies gazed up in awe.
"Truly worthy of being backed by the Sullivan Group. This grandeur is extraordinary."
They marveled at the company's formidable strength while longing to understand the mysterious Breeze Perfumes brand. Securing this study tour opportunity had required endless persuasion within their own companies.
Though industry exchanges were common, facing such an enterprise left them somewhat intimidated. As they ascended floor by floor, their amazement grew.
"These laboratory instruments are practically all top-tier configurations!"
At the rear of the group, Liam Winston walked arm-in-arm with Chloe Evans.
Chloe showed little interest in perfumery itself, her eyes gleaming instead at the precision instruments. How wonderful it would be if the Winston Group could enter the fragrance market—she'd insist on building several cutting-edge labs.
Her good mood soon shattered.
That Sophia Sullivan was everywhere!
"Liam, isn't that Sophia? How did she get a position at Breeze Perfumes so quickly?"
Nearby, Caleb Vance also noticed Chloe. Having accepted favors from her before, he seized the opportunity to fuel her resentment toward Sophia.
He smiled amiably, though shrewdness lurked beneath the surface.
"She's our newly appointed supervisor—just parachuted in today. Must be exceptionally talented."
These industry veterans immediately caught his insinuation. Glancing at Sophia's youthful figure, skepticism stirred among them.
Chloe feigned innocence. "No wonder Sophia joined Breeze Perfumes so suddenly—connections do help. How convenient for a perfumery competition champion to sit in an office typing away instead of actually creating fragrances. Must be nice."
She blinked guilelessly.
"But such rapid promotion seems unfair to those who've toiled in labs for years."
Liam drew her closer, patting her shoulder with a cold laugh.
"Why envy someone who got ahead through connections?"
Encouraged by their response, Caleb grew bolder, eager to humiliate the new supervisor publicly.
Hannah Vance chimed in smoothly. "Now, let's not judge too quickly. The new supervisor must have exceptional qualities. Though the sudden appointment as lab director does bypass normal promotion protocols. Poor Caleb."
"No matter," Caleb said magnanimously. "These things happen in business. After all, connections open doors!"
Their coordinated performance left other representatives exchanging glances until someone interjected, "But Sophia won the perfumery competition as Crimson Serpent. Would she really need connections? More likely Mr. Sullivan personally invited her."
"Even geniuses need to eat. Nothing strange about using connections."
Despite their words, disdain colored their expressions.
"Hello, Sophia. Fancy meeting you here."
Chloe pushed the lab door open, her delicate voice cutting through the space.
"But this really isn't proper. Becoming lab director overnight breaks protocol, and worse—you're not even creating perfumes, just playing on computers. What will people say? It'll damage your reputation."
Liam followed with biting sarcasm.
"Don't waste your kindness. If she's capable of this, why care about her reputation?"
Their duet barely concealed the jealousy simmering beneath.
Since the wedding scandal, they'd feared Sophia's mockery—striking first became their defense.