Isabella Robinson couldn't suppress a laugh at the mention of "Crimson Serpent."
She shot Chloe Evans a disdainful glance.
A mocking smile curled at the corners of her lips.
"Could it be an imposter?"
"Too afraid to prove your identity?"
Chloe's face instantly paled.
Her fists clenched tightly.
Nails dug deep into her palms.
The two were clearly playing good cop, bad cop.
It was nothing but a blatant provocation.
But if she actually tried to prove herself now...
The humiliation would be unbearable.
Chloe bit her lower lip.
Adopting a pitiful, fragile demeanor.
"I never claimed to be Crimson Serpent."
"Though I did win a championship once."
"But that's all in the past."
"Now, I prefer to let my skills speak for themselves."
Her words were carefully calculated.
Neither an admission nor a denial.
Instead, she hinted at past glory.
Leaving room for speculation.
Tears welled in Chloe's eyes.
Yet she forced a brave front.
The perfect image of an innocent flower being bullied.
Liam Winston's heart ached at the sight.
He stepped protectively in front of her.
"Enough with the sarcasm."
"Chloe simply wishes to keep a low profile."
"Some people can't even break into the top fifty."
"Let's see how you handle the results."
Ethan Sullivan stood nearby.
His brow slightly furrowed.
Expression unreadable.
Crimson Serpent—the champion of that Italian perfumery competition.
The one who had bested him for first place.
Could it really be Chloe?
He glanced at her.
If true...
His past defeat would become a farce.
Sophia Sullivan observed Liam's agitation with calm detachment.
"Then I'll congratulate Miss Evans in advance."
"May your victory prove your worth."
The blatant sarcasm stung like a slap.
Liam's face darkened.
His voice turned icy.
"If envy could win competitions..."
"We wouldn't need judges."
"No matter how you weaseled into the SVIP lounge..."
"Remember this—"
"Fakes never become real."
His confidence stemmed from the venue's security.
Cameras covered every angle.
Each contestant's work would be anonymously evaluated by ten masters.
No room for cheating.
Sophia's smile deepened.
"Indeed."
"Fakes never become real."
Her tone was light.
Yet Chloe couldn't meet her gaze.
Ethan spoke suddenly.
His voice cold.
"Sometimes I wonder..."
"Who exactly drags down the average IQ."
His words always cut deep.
"If connections could win competitions..."
"Why didn't you bring your little darling into SVIP, Liam?"
"Too principled?"
"Or just incompetent?"
The title "Liam" reminded him of his humiliation in Potter's Town.
His expression twisted.
"That was just a figure of speech."
"I meant if one has nothing to hide..."
"There's no need for fear."
Chloe straightened upon seeing Ethan.
She flashed a sweet smile.
"What a coincidence meeting you here, Mr. Sullivan."
"Fate works in mysterious ways."
"Our last encounter was in Potter's Town."
But Ethan ignored them both this time.
His gaze swept over Chloe before dismissing her.
Using humiliation to curry favor?
Pathetic.
He turned to Sophia.
Casual.
"Were you at the first perfumery competition?"
"Obviously."
Sophia met his eyes leisurely.
Ethan instantly understood her silent retort:
—No need for pretenses between veterans.
—Spare me the clichés.
The corner of his mouth lifted.
An unconscious familiarity.
"That Italian competition..."
"What was your ranking?"