"How could Allison be so heartless? She did this on purpose!" Melany cried, clutching her shaved head. Tears welled in her eyes as an overwhelming sense of loss washed over her. She had meticulously maintained her long, black hair, cultivating an image of sweetness and innocence, only to have it brutally shattered by Allison.

"He's trying to kill me," she sobbed, her voice choked with fear. "I'm sure of it." Her distress was genuine; she felt genuinely threatened, convinced Allison might resort to murder.

"He's not that clever. Calm down," Colton reassured her, rubbing her back, his own heart pounding in fear. The chilling breeze and the menacing intent felt almost palpable, as if a knife were pointed at his brain. The eerie sensation left him drenched in cold sweat.

Melany remained inconsolable. "But she attacked us without mercy," she cried, her voice shaking. "It's too much. I may be fine, but I shouldn't have hurt you. Weren't you married once? Doesn't she understand the effort you put in? Publicly humiliating you and jeopardizing our relationship—she doesn't appreciate everything you do for the company, and now even Mr. Lloyd might misunderstand our situation. What are we going to do?"

Colton, already simmering from the day's events, felt his patience fraying. "Enough," he said sharply. "What does Kellan matter? Even without his support, the Stevens Group will endure. I hear the fourth International Perfumery Competition is being held next month, hosted by the Everett Group. I'll find a way to get involved"

A sudden idea struck him, altering his mood. "I'm sorry, Melany," he said softly, wiping her tears. "I went overboard today. You've been through a lot. I promise I'll make it up to you."

Melany nodded, leaning into his embrace. "It's okay, Colton. I don't care, but I feel sorry for you."

Colton kissed her forehead gently. "Melany, I remember you were the champion of the perfume contest a few years ago."

"Do you remember that?" Melany asked, surprised.

"Of course, I remember everything about you," Colton said with a smile. Then, he added, "So, could you help me this time? If you make it to the finals in this perfume contest, we might get sponsored by the Everett Group and maybe even meet their CEO."

Melany blinked, taking in his request. His soft plea was irresistible, and she nodded weakly. "I'll do what I can."

She thought back to her first anonymous international competition. Despite her efforts, she hadn't reached the finals. Later, by chance, she'd discovered the basic recipe for the champion's perfume and spent almost two years perfecting it, creating a product that was 80% similar. The champion, known only as "Scarlet Snake," was an elderly person in their late sixties, of unknown gender. Scarlet Snake had disappeared years ago and hadn't competed since. Melany used Scarlet Snake's formula to create a new concoction and easily won the title. She'd assumed Scarlet Snake's absence would prevent detection.

"I knew you were my savior," Colton said, pulling her closer. "With your skills, you're sure to outshine everyone!" Even without Kellan, he felt confident he could secure a collaboration with the Everett Group.