The crowd remained stunned by the earlier revelation.
But Sophia Sullivan's words plunged them into deep contemplation.
Several eliminated contestants furrowed their brows.
Doubt about the competition's fairness began creeping in.
"Ms. Sullivan makes a valid point. Crimson Serpent dominated the perfumery world."
"After vanishing for years, how could they be a young woman?"
"When I lost, I spent a fortune investigating the finalists."
"Yet I found no trace of information."
"Wasn't that Italian competition touted as completely confidential?"
"How could the judges recognize participants?"
"Is this a breach of secrecy... or outright cheating?"
Human nature leans toward conspiracy theories.
Admitting mediocrity is too painful.
Far easier to believe the system is rigged.
Chloe Evans excelled at exploiting this psychology.
Now Sophia stood cornered, unable to defend herself.
Any denial would only fuel suspicion.
Especially without concrete evidence.
Isabella Robinson shattered her champagne flute in fury.
Shards sprayed across the floor.
"You dare spread baseless rumors and call it harmless?"
"Wait until our lawyers serve you. Then we'll see that smug expression vanish!"
Never had she encountered such shameless audacity.
Howard Sullivan trembled with rage at being challenged by juniors.
The venerable master raised his voice.
"At my age, if I wished to favor someone, I'd simply take them as my protégé."
"Who would dare refuse Howard Sullivan?"
To be driven to this point in his twilight years—
"My acquaintance with this girl was pure coincidence."
"She sought my guidance after the competition ended."
"I scored her lower than other judges did."
Howard admired her relentless pursuit of knowledge.
Sophia possessed rare genius—grasping concepts instantly.
Such brilliance appeared once in a generation.
Seeing her name on this year's roster had delighted him.
Never anticipating this disgraceful spectacle.
The crowd found his reasoning sound.
A man of his stature wouldn't lie for a junior's sake.
With both sides entrenched, deadlock ensued.
Sophia first calmed Isabella.
Then bowed deeply to Howard.
"My apologies for dragging you into this disgrace."
Her gaze shifted to Chloe.
Those glacial eyes sent chills down spines.
"Whether I'm Crimson Serpent is irrelevant."
"What matters is your perfume is plagiarized."
"Conveniently, I happen to possess proof."
Chloe forced composure.
"Impossible—"
Yet she retreated two steps under Sophia's stare.
These weren't a homemaker's eyes.
More like an assassin returned from hell.
That razor-sharp gaze flayed skin.
As though preparing to carve her alive.
Ethan Sullivan's voice dripped frost.
"You accuse my family of lying?"
"Who do you think you are?"
Murderous intent radiated from him.
Suffocating the atmosphere.
"Chloe Evans, what madness possessed you to slander the Sullivans?"
"Do we seem powerless to you?"
Already petrified, Chloe blanched further at Ethan's threat.
That look reducing mortals to insects.
Froze her marrow with primal terror.
In this moment, Ethan and Sophia's expressions mirrored perfectly.
She couldn't bear to meet either gaze.