Chapter 3

Evelyn glanced down at her injured foot before lifting her gaze calmly. "What's the matter?"

"Where are the Eternal Bloom documents? We can't find them in the lab! Do you realize what day it is?"

"Instead of staying at the lab, you chose to go shopping?"

Dominic followed Evelyn's line of sight and noticed the shallow cut on her instep. A flicker of guilt crossed his face, but the urgency of the competition quickly overshadowed it.

"The new product launch and competition start tonight. I thought I still had time, so I picked up a few things to wear for the event."

Before Dominic could respond, Vanessa beside him let out a mocking laugh. "Oh? You're planning to attend?"

"Is there a problem?" Evelyn turned to face her former friend, her voice steady.

Vanessa's smirk widened. "Not at all. I'm just concerned you might feel... out of place. You never liked these events before, did you?"

"That's right. You never cared for fame or socializing. Why don't you stay home and wait for our good news? Now, where are the documents?" Dominic stepped forward, reaching out to pat her shoulder, but Evelyn smoothly sidestepped his touch.

Dominic stiffened, his eyes immediately locking onto the kraft paper bag in Evelyn's hand. "Are the documents ready?" He snatched the bag and rifled through its contents before handing it to Vanessa.

Vanessa accepted it with practiced ease, flipping through the pages with a satisfied smirk. She wasn't completely ignorant about perfumery, but compared to Evelyn, she lacked true talent.

And after latching onto Dominic, she had stopped even trying. Over the years, she had grown complacent, stealing Evelyn's work and basking in the glory of her achievements.

Clutching the documents, Vanessa could practically hear the trophy calling her name. "Where are the samples?" she demanded.

"You can collect them from the lab before you leave for the competition," Evelyn replied.

She watched as the shameless pair exchanged triumphant glances right in front of her. Disgust coiled in her stomach. "Dominic, am I really not allowed to attend tonight?"

Dominic hesitated, then frowned. "Evelyn, what's gotten into you? I'm only looking out for you. Remember what happened at the last competition two years ago? You—"

"I'm not saying it'll fail, but think about it. What if something goes wrong?"

He left the rest unsaid, as if his concern was purely for her sake. If Evelyn hadn't seen the act with her own eyes, she might have been moved to tears. Every word was laced with false kindness, and it made her sick.

"Well, if that's the case, I suppose I'll just wish you both good luck tonight." Evelyn smiled sweetly before turning away. "I'll head back to the lab now."

Dominic nodded eagerly. "Yes, hurry and prepare the samples. Make sure nothing goes wrong, understood?"

Evelyn's lips curled into a cold smirk. Oh, she would make sure nothing went wrong—just not in the way he expected.

On her way out, she dialed Isabella. The voice on the other end was laced with worry. "Evelyn, are you okay? Mr. Reeves has been looking for you all day."

"I know," Evelyn said, eyes fixed on the road. "Isabella, did you prepare what I asked for?"

"It's ready, but you've reformulated Eternal Bloom so many times. Are you sure you want to add the final ingredient now?" Isabella's concern was evident. She had been Evelyn's assistant for years and trusted her instincts completely.

But Evelyn had spent months perfecting Eternal Bloom, and tonight was its grand debut. Isabella couldn't understand why she would alter it at the last moment.

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do! But are you really not going to compete in person?" She already knew the answer, but she had to ask. She had seen the blood, sweat, and tears Evelyn poured into every creation.

Evelyn had studied countless bestselling fragrances, yet Vanessa always stole the spotlight. The injustice burned in Isabella's chest.

Evelyn smiled. "What's mine will always be mine," she said softly. "Dominic and Vanessa will collect the samples later. Just do as I instructed. Thank you, Isabella."

"Don't worry. I'll handle it!"

After hanging up, Evelyn pulled into Celestia Group's underground parking lot. The building was massive, its parking garage sprawling beneath the city.

Fortunately, Alexander had prepared everything. Following his directions, she parked and found Harrison waiting for her.

"Ms. Carter, come with me." Harrison quickly briefed her as they rode the private elevator. "We've submitted the documents and samples to the project team. Your fragrance will compete alongside Celestia's other two scents tonight."

"Thank you," Evelyn nodded.

This was already a huge favor from Alexander. Take DR Holdings, for example—they had spent three months preparing for this competition. Adding a new fragrance last-minute was a risk, but Alexander had made it happen.

Harrison summarized the situation in a few words, but Evelyn knew the Celestia team wouldn't accept her entry without resistance. They might even try to sabotage her.

But she had to win—flawlessly.

When she entered Alexander's office, he was seated behind his expansive desk, stacks of documents on either side. He looked up as she stepped in, and for a moment, her pulse quickened.

"Come here," he said, setting down his pen.

Evelyn obeyed. Alexander studied her, his gaze sharp. "Are you hurt?"

Only then did she remember the cut on her foot. She opened her mouth to reassure him, but before she could speak, strong arms lifted her off the ground.