One month later.
At the heart of Blue Whale Bay.
Isabella Robinson drove her sports car through the barricaded zone with Sophia Sullivan in the passenger seat.
She rolled down the window and whistled sharply at the swarm of reporters outside.
"Damn, Radiant Beauty Group really knows how to make an entrance," she remarked.
This year's perfumery competition had booked A-City's largest international venue.
Though submissions were anonymous by regulation, the top ten finalists would be publicly announced.
Now the cordoned-off streets teemed with journalists, their cameras poised to capture any movement.
"Let's go in."
Sophia showed no interest in the media frenzy.
They presented their gilded invitations, passed through multiple security checkpoints, and arrived at the contestants' lounge.
The lounge already buzzed with competitors.
Sophia's gaze immediately landed on two familiar figures.
Her brow furrowed slightly—lately, misfortune seemed determined to make these two cross her path.
Chloe Evans clung to Liam Winston's arm, her voice dripping honey.
"Liam," she said with feigned innocence, "I heard Breeze Perfumes' mysterious CEO is competing this year. What if I lose?"
Liam's eyes softened with adoration as he tousled her hair.
"Silly girl, you could never lose. You're the prodigy perfumer everyone acknowledges. To me, you'll always be the best. Don't stress—we're not here to win, just to make top ten and meet Radiant Beauty's chairman."
"You're the sweetest!" Chloe hugged his arm tighter.
Isabella couldn't suppress a sudden snort.
"Even trash knows to stay in its bin these days. Why can't some people recognize their place?"
Chloe whirled at the obvious jab, meeting Isabella's mocking stare.
Sophia commented mildly, "Careful. Rabid dogs bite."
Her quiet words carried unmistakable clarity.
Liam frowned, his attention shifting to Sophia.
Today she wore a silver sequined minidress and limited-edition Christian Louboutin heels, radiating an untouchable aura.
Regal. Aloof. Yet mesmerizing.
Even her fleeting glance felt like a rare privilege.
Liam had never seen Sophia like this.
Compared to the soft elegance of her pastel green gown, this version was ice and steel.
He blinked, momentarily dazed.
"What a coincidence, Sophia! Are you competing too?"
Chloe caught Liam's brief fascination, her nails digging into her palms.
"I never knew you dabbled in perfumery. But it's fun to participate—such a lively event."
Liam's expression darkened instantly.
"Sophia, do you really think I can't see through your little games? I told you—even if you begged on your knees, I'd never take you back!"
Isabella's eyes widened in disbelief.
She shot Sophia a pitying look.
"Darling, you're perfect—except for your appalling taste in exes. This walking disgrace won't stop haunting you."
Sophia chuckled. "I must have been blind."
Only after divorcing had her childhood illusions shattered, revealing his staggering arrogance.
To think she'd still play hard to get.
Liam bristled at their undisguised scorn.
"Sophia, once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times? You're clearly stalking me. Stop wasting effort—I could never love you!"
Isabella nearly doubled over laughing.
"Is your skull filled with cement? Flush out the delusions. Even without mirrors, surely you've seen your reflection in puddles? Claiming Sophia chases you? That's not just disgusting—it's pathological."
When Isabella unleashed her wit, no one stood a chance.
"Trash belongs with trash. Stay together—spare the rest of us."
Chloe's smile stiffened.
"Must you be so rude?"
"Oh? You recognize rudeness? Good training."
"You—!"
Chloe's face purpled with rage, but she dared not retaliate.
Isabella was the Robinson Group heiress, controlling half of A-City's real estate—an enemy she couldn't afford.
Swallowing her fury, Chloe forced sweetness.
"Liam came to support me. Running into Sophia was unexpected. Must we be unpleasant?"