Chapter 54
The deep, resonant toll of an ancient bell shattered the silence, its vibrations rippling through the walls like an invisible wave. The competition had officially begun.
The sound reached every corner of the building, seeping into the rooms where contestants stood frozen in anticipation. Some clutched their perfume tubes like lifelines, knuckles white with tension. Others wiped sweat from their brows, their eyes darting nervously. There was no escape—cameras watched from every angle, ensuring no one dared to cheat.
Isabella Sinclair, however, had already finished.
She lifted a scent strip, passing it beneath her nose with practiced ease. The fragrance she had crafted was deceptively simple—an evolution of one of her earlier creations, capturing the vast, untamed essence of the ocean.
Once all the perfumes were submitted and labeled, the samples were whisked away to the judges.
An elderly man with silver hair picked up sample number five, inhaling deeply. His eyes widened.
“Remarkable.” His voice was barely above a whisper. “The top notes—sunlight dancing on the waves, so vibrant, so alive. But the base…” He paused, taking another breath. “There’s a storm beneath the surface. A masterstroke. The way traditional violet blends with rosemary, creating something almost… otherworldly. And yet, nothing clashes. It only deepens the complexity.” He frowned slightly. “But there’s something familiar about the base note.”
The judge beside him nodded eagerly, already marking a perfect score. “It reminds me of the fragrance that won Leswington years ago—but this is more refined. More mature.”
The perfume received near-unanimous praise, with no score dipping below a nine.
In the waiting room, Olivia Montgomery spotted Isabella as she stepped out. “You look like you’ve been through a war,” Olivia teased, handing her a glass of wine. She knew scent creation dredged up memories for Isabella. With a playful smirk, she added, “Consider this your victory toast.”
But Isabella’s mind was elsewhere—tangled in the enigma of Charisma Company. Could this competition be her chance to finally meet its elusive CEO? To uncover the truth about her mother’s past? She gave Olivia a faint smile. “The results aren’t out yet. Maybe hold the celebration.”
Olivia scoffed. “With your skills? First place is already yours.” She grinned, brimming with confidence. “Don’t worry. When the results come in, I’ll keep an eye on Violet Moon. Anyone who can craft charisma is worth watching. She’s definitely in the top ten.”
Two hours later, the results flashed across the screen.
Every contestant’s gaze locked onto the scrolling names, revealing the top ten perfumes, each accompanied by its number and description. The winning fragrances were displayed proudly in the hall.
A staff member beamed as she fastened a red bracelet around Isabella’s wrist. “Congratulations, Miss Sinclair! You’ve taken first place.”
At the top of the screen, the name “Lemonade” gleamed in bold letters.
Second place went to “Violet Moon”, with a small note beside it: Representing Charisma Company. Third place was awarded to Sophia Kensington.
Isabella wasn’t surprised by her win—but her attention was fixed elsewhere. Scanning the crowd, she found Violet Moon.
It didn’t take long before she spotted a staff member fastening the second-place wristband onto Alexander Kingsley.
“Congratulations on second place, Mr. Kingsley,” the staff member said brightly. “Who would’ve guessed you’re the CEO of Charisma Company?”
Alexander’s gaze met Isabella’s, his expression unreadable.
Around them, the room buzzed with murmurs.
“Congratulations!” Some voices were genuine, others laced with envy.
Whispers slithered through the crowd:
“Lemonade is so young! Where did she come from? She must be some industry insider using a fake name.”
“You don’t know Isabella Sinclair? She’s Ethan Blackwood’s ex-wife! But she didn’t just appear out of nowhere—who knew she was this talented?”
“This competition is full of surprises. Alexander Kingsley, with his luxury empire, is Violet Moon? And the mind behind Charisma Company?”
“Does he really need to dominate the perfume industry too? Some people just win at everything.”
The room was a cacophony of forced smiles, hushed gossip, and barely concealed resentment.
Yet amidst the chaos, Isabella and Alexander stood perfectly still, their eyes locked in silent understanding.
