Chapter 361

The process was swift. Participants began submitting their papers within the first half hour. The number of people in the venue gradually decreased, but Lily took her time answering. The ingredients were easily identifiable, allowing her to write quickly. Interestingly, the two fragrances were very similar, in both color and notes. Their advantages and disadvantages were roughly equal, leaving Lily pondering.

Seeing others answer quickly, a few participants looked uneasy, but after some thought, they all finished. Only a few remained.

"Ten minutes left," the examiner announced, glancing at the clock. "Any papers not submitted will be forfeited."

The last few hesitant participants completed their work. Lily took another whiff of the fragrance, smiled, and quickly finished her paper.

After submitting her paper and leaving the hall, Lily found the earlier finishers waiting in a large room. The organizers had instructed them to wait for the immediate announcement of results. With the final test over, everyone was relaxed. Having competed for several days, they were also familiar with one another, and chatted happily.

"Mr. Parker's perfume is exquisite," one participant declared. "We ordinary people can't match his skill. It's unique and creative—an international bestseller, I predict!"

Some agreed, but others objected, their disdain evident. "Honestly? Do you think Mr. Parker made that? Just because it says so on the bottle doesn't make it true! They're just fishing for brown-nosers!"

"Didn't you notice something off about the perfume? How can you call yourself a perfumer? Go home and take care of your kids!"

A woman, the target of the insult, blushed. "What makes you think I couldn't tell the difference? Mr. Parker's perfume uses a variety of floral fragrances, and the essential oils are specially prepared. If you don't understand, don't mock others! And don't mock women. Your mother is a woman, too!"

The discussion devolved into a personal attack, escalating into an argument. The crowd split into two factions: one group praising Mr. Parker's superior skill, the other convinced the perfume wasn't his work. The organizer, it turned out, had used Mr. Parker's name to mislead participants and induce flawed judgments.

The two sides, vehemently arguing, were on the verge of a fight. Lily, choosing to remain uninvolved, stood quietly in a corner.

"You seem to disagree with them," someone beside her said.

Turning, Lily confirmed the comment was directed at her. The speaker, a man whose features distinguished him from the crowd, was handsome and striking. Lily, having paid little attention to other competitors, didn't recognize him. Yet his presence indicated he was a participant. Like Lily and Melanie, he seemed an outsider.

"I didn't say anything," Lily replied, cleverly avoiding the argument.

The man seemed more interested in her than the unfolding drama.

"Still, your face says you disagree with both sides," he observed. Lily touched her face. "You can read my face?"