Mack’s icy gaze fixed on Melany as he finished speaking.

“You claimed your creations echoed the style of the renowned Scarlet Serpent, yet you didn’t even acknowledge her. Then you dared to make baseless accusations. This is outrageous.”

Melany’s face paled, searching for a defense. “I didn’t mean that, and besides… how is it possible she is Scarlet Snake?” But what if she was? The terrifying thought crossed Melany’s mind, but was quickly dismissed. No, it couldn't be true. She couldn't imagine how many secrets Allison could be hiding if it were.

“Melany is just emulating Scarlet Serpent’s style. It’s more of an homage, really. Deciding whether it’s plagiarism can’t be resolved in a few words. We’d need concrete evidence,” Colton said, the first to regain his composure. Allison had once claimed she’d met Emanuel on a desert island, which might explain her pottery knowledge. But claiming to be Scarlet Serpent, the winner of the first Perfumery Competition? It was absurd.

“Moreover, the rules of that first contest were completely different from today’s. All participants remained anonymous. The organizers ensured that, from the perfumes’ presentation until the finalists’ selection, no one knew the contestants’ identities, only their code names.” The current SVIP channel was created for the top ten contestants of the first Perfumery Contest, but the staff only had access to the rankings, not their detailed information.

Colton’s face hardened. “Maybe someone is trying to trick the judges into thinking it’s Scarlet Serpent. It wouldn’t be the first time.”

Whether from jealousy, disbelief, or something else, Colton was unconvinced. He couldn’t accept Allison could be that kind of genius.

His words seemed to rekindle Melany’s confidence. She couldn’t back down; admitting defeat would undo everything. It was now a fight for survival.

“Mr. Lloyd, you’re an expert in the perfume industry with countless protégés. Everyone respects your opinion,” Melany said, her eyes reddening as she looked at Mack, feigning a mixture of determination and wounded pride. “But the first contest’s rules were clear: no one could know the contestants’ true identities. So unless you broke those rules, Mr. Lloyd, or were they just for show?”

Allison’s cold gaze cut through the air. “You really are shameless. You still dare to argue and drag others down.”

Melany was proving more despicable than Allison anticipated. Melany was now implying the judges were part of a cover-up.

“Even if you’re from the Lloyd family, you shouldn’t have favorites. It’s about my reputation too,” Melany said firmly. “Everyone can see how close Allison and Kellan are. If you’re going to defend her, do it differently!”

Melany used the first contest’s rules to challenge Mack. If he tried to protect Allison by claiming to be Scarlet Serpent, it would be like breaking the rules, suggesting Allison cheated. Melany was determined. Unless Scarlet Serpent materialized, she could turn the situation around. Allison and Mack would be dragged into the mess.

Mack’s eyes widened. “You’re making this up!”

In all his years, no one had dared to challenge him like that. He was accused of lying, of dishonoring the contest’s integrity and its organizers. What audacity!

Melany felt a surge of guilt, but concealed it with a defiant facade. After all, the first contest’s anonymity had been ironclad. Many had tried, in vain, to discover the contestants’ identities. The judges had always sworn they hadn’t investigated anyone’s background, not even the champion’s.

So even if Allison were Scarlet Serpent, who could prove it?

“Mr. Lloyd, please calm down,” a passerby said, supporting Mack, fearing he might collapse. Seeing this, Melany quickly backed away, feigning regret. “Let’s leave it. There may have been loopholes in the supposedly anonymous contest, and the judges may have snooped on the champion’s identity behind closed doors.”

He was playing on confusion, creating enough doubt to muddy the waters.