Liam Winston stepped in front of Sophia Sullivan.
His face was dark with barely contained fury.
"Chloe Evans, you've gone too far."
Sophia hid behind him, quietly sobbing.
"The formula is already public. It has no commercial value now."
Liam clenched his jaw.
"I'll compensate you with a million dollars."
The words were forced through gritted teeth.
"Know when to stop, and we can still be friends."
Sophia lifted her tear-filled eyes.
"This is all my fault."
Her voice trembled.
"You kept your identity as Crimson Serpent a secret. I admired you so much that I tried to mimic your perfuming techniques."
She cleverly framed plagiarism as admiration.
When the crowd continued to glare, her tears fell faster.
"I know you hate me."
She dropped to her knees with a loud thud.
"You think I ruined your marriage. It's only fair that you take revenge on me."
The impact of her knees hitting the floor echoed.
"But please don't drag Liam into this. This competition means everything to him..."
She deftly shifted the focus to their past relationship drama.
Isabella Robinson trembled with rage.
"Chloe Evans, have you no shame?"
She pointed an accusing finger.
"Taking without asking is theft! Even a child knows that!"
Sophia's voice was icy.
"Changing the subject won't help."
Her gaze was sharp as a blade.
"Plagiarism is cheating. The rules demand strict punishment."
She turned to Liam.
"As for being friends?"
Sophia smirked.
"Save that for your exes. Don't disgust me."
Liam's face turned ashen.
"Chloe didn't cheat. The rules clearly—"
His words cut off abruptly.
The crowd suddenly fell silent.
People parted to make way.
"Mr. Roscente."
Staff members greeted him respectfully.
The blond man approached leisurely.
His smile was warm, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Ethan Sullivan?"
Julian Roscente slung an arm over Ethan's shoulder with familiarity.
"What, still eyeing my investments?"
His tone was casual.
"The Sullivan Group is rolling in money. Why bother with my small venture?"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
This was the CEO of Radiant Beauty Group.
The ruthless business tycoon known for his decisiveness now seemed like the boy next door.
Julian studied Ethan with narrowed eyes.
"Using the competition's publicity to promote Breeze Perfumes?"
He saw right through Ethan's plan.
"Clever."
Ethan chuckled.
Sophia watched thoughtfully.
The two seemed close.
Julian turned to her.
"Ms. Sullivan."
His smile was polite.
"The prodigy perfumer from Italy. I've heard much about you."
"You flatter me, Mr. Roscente."
Sophia inclined her head slightly.
Though Julian smiled, there was an unbridgeable distance in his demeanor.
As if no one could truly get close.
He sighed suddenly.
"What a pity."
Julian lazily scanned the room.
"Such a fine competition, tainted by filth."
His gaze landed on Chloe.
"I despise cheaters."
His smile vanished.
"Ms. Evans, aren't you going to apologize?"