Chapter 328

"You had me investigated?" Frank pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and stood there, eyes flashing.

"Yes, but don't worry, I won't harm you. After all, we're in the same boat. Our interests align, don't they?" She smiled gently.

"What do you want?"

Frank knew she had ulterior motives.

"I'll see what I can do. Anything but securing the top prize in the perfumery competition; I don't have that kind of power."

"Who says you don't?" Melanie stood, leaning against him. "I heard that last year, everyone expected another perfumer to win, but you did. Although they suspected cheating, there was no proof."

Frank took a drag, his face sullen, and remained silent.

"That's why I believe you do have that power. I don't know your methods, but as you said, this is Woodland, your territory. You must have ways, right?" She whispered in his ear, "It's not that difficult, is it? Just a competition. If we knew the questions beforehand, wouldn't it be easier?"

Melanie was realistic about her abilities. Reliance on her own skills would barely get her shortlisted, let alone a win. Knowing the questions and answers beforehand, however, would be game-changing. People often said cheating in the perfume industry was difficult—after all, it was about the sense of smell. However, if it was about the sense of smell, how could others judge the sensitivity of someone's olfactory sense? Since it was a competition, loopholes existed, and cheating wasn't impossible. Otherwise, someone like Frank, a successful industry "fraud," wouldn't exist.

Frank smoked in silence until the cigarette was almost finished. He took a final drag and asked, "What's in it for me?"

"After the competition, I'll send Lily your way. You can do whatever you want with her!" She smiled confidently.

Frank smiled skeptically. "Really? You couldn't manage anything in Hyderland. What makes you think you can here?"

"Because I found out about you. I have my methods." Melanie said calmly, "Hyderland was difficult because I'd have been the obvious suspect. Here? Who would suspect me?"

"You hired someone?" Frank's deduction was swift.

Melanie remained noncommittal. "Don't worry about my methods. We achieve our goals. I want reputation and status; you get revenge on her."

"Hey, I'm not stupid! What if she sues, makes a big fuss?" He paused. "Even if she doesn't sue, with her skills, she could probably kill me" Frank wasn't going to die for a fleeting moment with Lily. And despite his reputation, he valued his career.

Melanie looked at him disdainfully. "Where are your tricks? If she doesn't comply, make her comply!"