Mack’s icy gaze fixed on Melany as he finished speaking.
“You claimed that your creations echoed the style of the renowned Scarlet Serpent, and yet you didn’t even acknowledge her.
Then you dared to make baseless accusations.
This is outrageous.
”
Melany's face paled, searching for a defense.
"I didn't mean that, and besides.
.
.
how is it possible that she is Scarlet Snake?" But what if she was?
The terrifying thought crossed Melany's mind, but was quickly dismissed.
No, it couldn't be true.
She couldn't imagine how many secrets Allison could be hiding if it was.
«Melany is just emulating Scarlet Snake's style.
It's more of an homage, really.
Deciding whether it's plagiarism is not something that can be resolved in a few words.
We would need concrete evidence.
» Colton was the first to regain his composure.
Allison had once claimed that she had met Emanuel on a desert island, which might explain her knowledge of pottery.
But claiming to be Scarlet Snake, the winner of the first Perfumery Competition? It was absurd.
«Moreover, the rules of that first contest were completely different from those of today.
All participants remained anonymous.
The organizers ensured that, from the moment the perfumes were presented until the finalists were selected, no one knew the identity of the contestants, only their code names.
» The current SVIP channel was created for the top ten contestants of the first Perfumery Contest, but the staff only had access to the rankings, not to their detailed information.
Colton's face hardened and he continued, "Maybe someone is trying to trick the judges into thinking it's Scarlet Snake.
It wouldn't be the first time someone has tried to do something like that.
"
Whether it was jealousy, disbelief, or something else entirely, Colton was convinced.
He couldn't accept the idea that Allison could be that kind of genius.
His words seemed to rekindle Melany's confidence.
She couldn't back down now.
Admitting defeat would undo everything.
It was now a fight for survival.
“Mr.
Lloyd, you are an expert in the perfume industry with countless protégés.
Everyone respects your opinion.
” Melany’s eyes reddened as she looked at Mack, feigning a mixture of determination and wounded pride.
"But the rules of the first contest were clear: no one could know the true identity of the contestants.
So unless you broke those rules, Mr.
Lloyd, or were they just for show back then?"
Allison’s cold gaze cut through the air.
“You really are shameless.
You still have the nerve to argue, even now, and drag others down with you.
”
Melany was proving to be even more despicable than Allison had anticipated.
Now, Melany was implying that the judges themselves were part of some cover-up.
“Even if you are from the Lloyd family, you shouldn’t have favorites.
It’s about my reputation too,” Melany said firmly.
“Come on, everyone can see how close Allison and Kellan are.
If you’re going to defend her, do it differently!”
Melany used the rules of the first contest to challenge Mack.
If he tried to protect Allison by saying that he was the Scarlet Serpent, it would be like breaking the rules.
People might get the wrong idea that Allison had cheated.
Melany was now determined.
She knew that unless the Scarlet Serpent himself materialized, she could turn the situation around any way she wanted.
Allison and Mack would be dragged into this mess.
Mack’s eyes widened as he looked at the two standing before him.
“You’re making this stuff up!”
In all his years, no one had dared to challenge him like that.
He was being accused of lying, of dishonouring the integrity of the contest and its organisers.
What audacity!
Melany felt a surge of guilt deep within her, but she concealed it with a defiant facade.
After all, the anonymity of that first contest had been ironclad.
Many had tried, in vain, to discover the identity of the contestants.
The judges had always sworn that they had not investigated anyone's true background, not even that of the illustrious champion, Scarlet Snake.
So even if Allison was Scarlet Snake, who could prove it?
“Mr.
Lloyd, please calm down.
” A passerby moved to support Mack, fearing that he might collapse from the stress.
Seeing this, Melany quickly backed away, giving a show of regret.
"Let's leave it.
There may have been loopholes in the supposedly anonymous contest, and the judges may have snooped on the identity of the champion behind closed doors.
"
He was playing on confusion, throwing just enough doubt into the mix to muddy the waters for everyone present.
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