Chapter 327

When Melanie emerged from the bathroom, she smiled. Frank was also awake and turned to look at her. His eyes were clear, a stark contrast to their state the previous night.

"Are you awake?" he asked.

Melanie smiled coquettishly, then sat on the sofa beside the bed, wrapped in a bath towel. "Then can we talk business?"

"What's the matter?" Frank rested his head in his hand and calmly asked, turning to face her.

"The competition starts today. What are you going to do?" Melanie crossed her legs, waiting for his answer.

"Um?" Frank was confused.

Melanie spelled it out. Leaning forward, she said, "I want to win first prize in the perfumery competition." Winning was crucial; it would bring recognition from Wesley Parker and international fame—an opportunity she couldn't miss. Frank's eyes gleamed, as if he were looking at a monster.

After a few seconds, he laughed loudly. "Mel, it's almost dawn. Stop dreaming! This is Woodland, not Sapphine City. You think I can just hand you a formula and get you first prize? You're a nobody here!" He said it bluntly, leaving no room for argument.

Expecting this, Melanie didn't get angry. She smiled mockingly. "Yeah, this is Woodland, and I'm a nobody here. What about you?"

Frank's face fell. He sat up. "What do you mean?"

"I found something out," Melanie sneered. "Frank, oh Frank. I thought you were a big name in the international industry, but I didn't expect you to be like me. Yes, I used Lily's work to get where I am, but how are you any better? Your so-called awards and designs are all accused of plagiarism. We're the same!"

"What nonsense are you talking?" Frank's face turned green. He stood, pulled on his trousers, and said while fastening his belt, "Stop this nonsense. It won't do you any good to annoy me!"

"Whether it's nonsense or not, you know the truth. You fooled us in Hyderland, but your reputation is gone elsewhere. I found it strange that no one greeted you at the banquet yesterday, despite your supposed status. The organizer didn't give you special treatment either. I only learned about this after having someone investigate yesterday." Melanie had always believed Frank was a brilliant perfumer; instead, he was a habitual plagiarist from abroad, caught and reported multiple times. The industry's insignificance, and perhaps some maneuvering on his part, had kept the news from reaching Hyderland. Melanie regretted throwing away years of work for him. If not for Frank, she wouldn't have irrevocably ended her relationship with Nathaniel.