Sophia Sullivan's eyes widened.
She stared intently at the staff member.
"There must be some mistake."
Her voice trembled.
"Only the top ten from the first competition get private lounges."
Her heartbeat accelerated.
Though she'd pretended to be Crimson Serpent in front of Liam Winston.
The truth was she'd ranked last that year.
Before coming, she'd lied to Liam.
Claiming she wanted to avoid SVIP access to stay low-profile.
Yet Sophia Sullivan received special treatment?
Impossible!
Liam let out a cold laugh.
"Your standards are slipping."
His tone dripped with sarcasm.
"Aren't you afraid of complaints?"
The staff remained unruffled.
Maintaining professionalism despite the challenge.
"The competition vetting is rigorous."
His voice stayed calm.
"We undergo extensive training."
He glanced at Sophia.
"There's no possibility of error."
Liam spoke with finality.
"Then you've been deceived."
His volume rose.
Drawing attention from nearby attendees.
"Fetch your supervisor."
He glared at Sophia.
"She dropped out at sixteen to live on some island."
His eyes narrowed.
"How could she possibly learn perfumery?"
This was his chance to expose her.
The first competition was held in Italy.
She'd been just a teenager then.
An orphan with nothing.
Perfumery?
She couldn't even afford plane tickets.
No way she placed.
As staff reached for security radios...
A frosty voice cut through.
"Such unnecessary commotion."
Heads turned.
Ethan Sullivan approached in his wheelchair.
His expression glacial.
The crimson mole on his throat visible when he scoffed.
Intensifying his intimidating aura.
The crowd parted.
Murmurs spread.
"Mr. Sullivan's attending the competition?"
"Who is he?"
"Heir to the Sullivan Group."
"Self-made luxury empire CEO."
"Top five on the wealth rankings."
Ethan's icy gaze landed on Liam.
"If the competition lacks standards..."
His voice carried authority.
"Why bother participating?"
Liam couldn't meet his eyes.
Remembering past humiliations.
His fists clenched.
"A misunderstanding, Mr. Sullivan."
He forced a smile.
"I wasn't questioning the event."
Chloe quickly intervened.
"We're just surprised, Mr. Sullivan."
Her smile looked strained.
"Who knew my sister was so talented."
She turned to Sophia.
"Curious about her competition alias."
Sophia sipped her champagne.
"Top ten aliases remain confidential until after finals."
She raised a brow.
"Trying to break protocol, Ms. Evans?"
Chloe's expression faltered.
"That's not what I meant."
She grasped Liam's hand possessively.
"Just hoping sister makes top ten this time."
Her smile turned saccharine.
"Even Liam didn't know about her...hobby."
Liam interlaced their fingers.
"Some people play hard to get."
His tone turned derisive.
"You'll always be first to me."
He gazed at Chloe.
"Too modest to flaunt your credentials."
"Otherwise you'd use SVIP access."
Chloe paled.
He'd exposed her lie.
Fortunately, he'd spoken quietly.
As she scrambled for excuses...
Sophia laughed.
"The Italian prodigy perfumer?"
Amusement danced in her eyes.
"You mean Crimson Serpent, first competition's champion."
Her gaze sharpened.
"If you're truly Crimson Serpent, Ms. Evans..."
She spoke deliberately.
"Why linger here instead of the SVIP lounge?"
A light chuckle.
"Rather than...making a scene?"