Chapter 302

"What the heck?! Speak of the devil!" Lily hadn't even mentioned Melanie; she'd merely thought of her. Seeing Melanie approaching, Lily rubbed her eyes, then looked away.

"It can't be! I'm in Woodland, at the review competition's reception banquet. Melanie couldn't just show up even if she wanted to! It must be a doppelganger." Lily turned back to look again.

The woman before her was Melanie's double. Her face, eyes, and especially her tone of voice were unnervingly familiar.

"What's the matter? Surprised to see me?" Melanie clearly relished Lily's surprise and displeasure.

Did Lily think she was the only one good enough to be here? Melanie thought. Well, if there's a will, there's a way. I can use my brain to get what I want.

Confirming it was Melanie, Lily sneered. "You have no self-awareness at all, do you?"

Melanie was pleased. The more unhappy Lily was, the happier she became.

"Ha! Did you think you're the only one here? Don't forget, Lily, I've won several awards over the past three years. I'm better than you, more famous. So I can be here, too." Melanie flaunted her presence as if it were a victory in itself.

Lily couldn't be bothered to argue. She only regretted Melanie's intrusion on what should have been a refreshing experience. Turning to leave, she muttered, "Shameless!"

"Don't leave!" Melanie grabbed Lily's wrist. "Who are you calling shameless? Do you think you can make a comeback in Rebirth, Lily? Don't forget Rebirth is just an unknown company in Hyderland—a country not even recognized internationally. So, even if you're top-notch in Hyderland, you're a nobody here!"

Though Frank had said the same thing recently, and it had upset her then, Melanie had to admit it was true. The world's top perfumers were from other countries. While Hyderland had some outstanding talent, most had emigrated.

Lily had noticed something about the review competition. Despite the supposedly strict requirements and invitation-only status, the number of attendees was surprisingly high. Even the organizer hadn't arrived yet. In other words, to the organizers, everyone present might be mere cannon fodder. Either the competition was a gimmick, or the key participants weren't even there.

Lily couldn't argue with Melanie, but refused to believe Hyderland lacked talented perfumers. She preferred to believe the top perfumers were reclusive, like the Lodge family.

"Is that so?" Lily sneered. "If those of us who earned our place here are nobodies, what does that make a parasite like you? You survive by relying on others, feeding off their efforts?"