Chapter 358

Evelyn turned her gaze toward the window, unable to bear continuing the conversation.

A short while later, they arrived at the venue where the final round of the competition would take place.

She wore a sleek, tailored suit—practical for movement, yet elegant enough to command respect.

Strangely, Evelyn no longer felt the usual nerves that came with high-stakes competitions.

Perhaps the unexpected kidnapping had shaken something loose inside her, replacing anxiety with a strange calm.

But now, her concern wasn’t the competition—it was the unsettling changes in her own body.

Lately, she had noticed something shifting within her, as if a dormant force had begun to stir.

It had grown more pronounced after the abduction, like a caged beast testing its bars.

She wondered—was it the stress of leaving Dominic and DR Holdings? Or had this always been there, buried deep?

Growing up under the influence of the Hawthorne family, she had learned basic combat skills.

She had never been considered extraordinary among them—just competent enough to hold her own.

Yet, against three internationally wanted criminals, she had moved with terrifying ease.

That shouldn’t have been possible.

The realization unsettled her, but there was no time to dwell on it now.

Thanks to the kidnapping, all eyes were on her the moment she stepped into the venue.

Adrienne, her assistant, couldn’t enter the competition hall and had to wait outside.

Evelyn straightened her posture, walking confidently to her seat before scanning the room.

Every participant here had earned their place in the finals.

Aside from Evelyn and Vanessa, none of the competitors were from Veridia.

There was a reason perfumers like Lucien Dubois dismissed Veridian talent.

Despite its size, Veridia had shockingly few renowned perfumers.

Those with real skill either emigrated or joined foreign research teams, draining the country of its brightest minds.

The thought made Evelyn’s chest tighten.

She wouldn’t call herself fiercely patriotic, but standing here, representing Veridia among strangers, something stirred in her.

She was here to prove them wrong.

Today, she would win.

Yet one person was conspicuously absent—Vanessa Blake.

Evelyn had expected another round of sharp words, another public humiliation.

Vanessa never missed a chance to tear her down.

But she wasn’t here.

Vanessa hadn’t simply skipped the competition—she hadn’t even made it out of her home.

Because at that very moment, the police were waiting at her doorstep.

She had been dressed to impress, ready to claim victory and glory.

But fate had other plans.