Chapter 307

Vanessa was seething with frustration at how things had unfolded.

She had been eagerly anticipating Evelyn's downfall, only for Serena to swoop in and ruin everything.

"How infuriating!" Vanessa clenched her jaw, watching Serena's radiant smile with barely concealed resentment.

To Vanessa, Serena was the wrench thrown into her carefully laid plans, the obstacle preventing her moment of triumph.

"Wait... Why does she seem familiar?" Vanessa's eyes narrowed as she studied Serena's features. "She mentioned meeting Evelyn in Veridia, but I've known Evelyn since university. I met most of her friends back then, and there weren't many. So why does Serena's name ring a bell?"

A sudden flash of recognition crossed Vanessa's face.

Across the hall, Serena was still chatting animatedly with Evelyn after the crowd had dispersed.

"Evie, I sent you my new number when I returned to Laurentia. Why didn't you call? I thought you'd forgotten about me." Serena pouted playfully.

"I never received it," Evelyn replied, genuinely surprised.

The memory of her old friend came flooding back. Serena had been an exchange student at their university, though nobody knew her true identity as the daughter of world-renowned perfumer Harrison Whitaker.

Back then, Serena had been more reserved, much like Evelyn herself. Their friendship had blossomed quietly among the scent-obsessed students who spent their days crafting perfumes and essential oils.

Evelyn remembered making Serena a unique sachet before her departure - an intricate blend of dried flowers tailored to Serena's preferences. She never imagined Serena would treasure it so dearly.

"Really? I sent it three times!" Serena's face fell momentarily before brightening again. "But look at us now! Fate clearly wanted us to reunite, didn't it?"

Evelyn chuckled. "Fate indeed."

It was wonderful to reconnect with an old friend in such unexpected circumstances.

"So," Serena asked between bites of cake, "are you here for the competition too?"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Weren't you just saying I came to visit you?"

Serena laughed, waving her fork. "That was just to diffuse the tension. Otherwise, you and my father might have come to blows, right?"

Evelyn was momentarily speechless.

'She's sharper than she lets on,' Evelyn realized. Despite the years apart, their easy rapport remained intact.

"What if we did fight?" Evelyn teased. "Whose side would you take?"

Serena swallowed another bite before answering matter-of-factly, "That's impossible. Dad's surrounded by bodyguards. You'd be pinned to the floor before you could lay a finger on him."

Evelyn could only shake her head at her friend's blunt assessment.