Chapter 30

Evelyn Carter glided across the stage and took her seat with effortless elegance. Vanessa Blake had arrived early, positioning herself strategically. When Evelyn settled in, Vanessa shot a glance toward Dominic Reeves, who responded with a subtle thumbs-up.

The gesture brought Vanessa a sliver of comfort.

The press conference began without preamble. Dominic cut straight to the chase.

"By now, you've all heard about the incident at last night's perfumery competition." His voice carried across the packed room. "Certain misunderstandings have arisen."

He paused for effect, letting the tension build. "That's why we've gathered you here today - to clarify these matters with your assistance." Another deliberate pause. "The fragrance 'Eternal Bloom,' one of DR Holdings' competition entries, received widespread acclaim."

Dominic's expression turned grave. "However, when two companies present identical creations, it naturally raises concerns about intellectual property rights."

His gaze swept the room. "The involved parties are present today, so I'll keep this brief." He turned toward the women beside him. "I'll now yield the floor to our perfumers for their statements."

Vanessa accepted the microphone first. Her form-fitting black dress commanded attention, creating a striking visual contrast against Evelyn's ivory gown.

"Good afternoon everyone," Vanessa began with practiced charm. "I'm Vanessa Blake, Chief Perfumer at DR Holdings." The emphasis on her title made Evelyn's lips twitch with suppressed amusement.

Vanessa continued smoothly. "As Mr. Reeves explained, I won't rehash the details. But I will say this - in my career, I've learned dedication outweighs raw talent every time."

She leaned forward slightly. "True mastery comes from relentless study, from countless hours in the lab perfecting each note. There are no shortcuts in this art." Her gaze sharpened. "Dishonesty might offer temporary gains, but it never builds lasting success. Wouldn't you agree, Evelyn?"

The room's focus shifted abruptly to Evelyn. Cameras clicked furiously, capturing every microexpression.

Vanessa's words carried clear implication - she painted herself as the wronged artist, Evelyn as the plagiarist.

Evelyn let the silence stretch just long enough to become uncomfortable before responding. "Ms. Blake makes excellent points." Her voice remained measured. "Integrity is indeed paramount in our craft. And yes, perseverance does trump natural ability."

Flashbulbs erupted again as reporters leaned forward eagerly.

Dominic and Vanessa maintained their professional smiles, but unease prickled beneath the surface. Evelyn was parroting Vanessa's words verbatim - so why did they sound so ominous coming from her?

"Ms. Carter!" A reporter from NovelDrama.Org called out. "Are you admitting you stole Ms. Blake's formula?"

Evelyn's lips curved into a mysterious smile. "I said no such thing."

The room erupted in murmurs. Camera shutters clicked like angry insects as journalists shouted follow-up questions.

The real drama was just beginning.