Chapter 8

"These two bottles contain samples from Phoenix Labs and DR Holdings, respectively. Mr. Reeves, would you kindly test them and determine if there's any distinction?" Evelyn Carter lifted the vials high, ensuring every attendee could see them clearly.

Dominic Reeves narrowed his eyes skeptically. "What difference does it make? The judges already declared the scents and ingredients nearly identical. What purpose does this spectacle serve?"

"It serves to prove why Phoenix Labs won the competition." Evelyn's voice remained soft, yet firm. "You accused me of stealing DR Holdings' formula, didn't you? If you insist this is plagiarism, and there is a difference between the samples, then logically, the original should be superior. Am I correct?" She tilted her head slightly. "Since you claim injustice, this is your opportunity to expose the truth—to our industry peers and the press."

Evelyn's composure was unshaken, her smile unwavering. Many in the room had formed prejudices against her due to past rumors, yet her serene demeanor made it difficult for them to voice their usual harsh judgments.

Dominic studied her, his frown deepening. What game is she playing? Why is she provoking this confrontation? And since when does she ignore my authority?

"Ah, but of course," Evelyn continued smoothly, "you aren't a perfumer by trade. Technical nuances might elude you. However, Ms. Blake—" She turned toward Vanessa Blake, who stood rigidly behind Dominic. "—as the creator of Eternal Bloom, surely you can identify the discrepancies?"

Vanessa's grip on her wine glass tightened. Panic clawed at her throat. She knew exactly how Evelyn had crafted Eternal Bloom.

Why was Evelyn suddenly here? Why force her to compare the samples? Vanessa couldn't decipher Evelyn's motives, and that terrified her.

She forced a graceful smile. "This incident is regrettable for both companies. Yes, Eternal Bloom's formula was compromised, but what does it matter now which sample is authentic? Evelyn, we were friends once. I won’t escalate this further." She lifted the hem of her gown, preparing to exit.

"But I intend to escalate it," Evelyn countered, her voice laced with amusement. "What then?"

Vanessa froze, whirling back with wide eyes.

"Evelyn, this is outrageous!" Dominic hissed, angling his face away from the cameras.

"Outrageous?" Evelyn smirked. She uncorked both vials and set them on the table.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she announced, "I created Eternal Bloom to capture the bittersweet essence of first love—nostalgia, longing, the ache of what could have been. Its base is sweet, yet with a faint astringency that lingers into warmth. The difference between these samples lies in their base notes."

Curious attendees leaned in, sniffing the test strips. Confusion rippled through the crowd.

"They smell identical. What’s the distinction?"

Perfume unfolds in stages—top notes, heart, then base. The crowd lacked patience to wait.

Evelyn smiled. "You’ve already smelled the difference."

A murmur. Then realization struck.

"It was on her! That foul odor earlier!"

Vanessa blanched. She tampered with my sample!

Evelyn met her glare with icy amusement. Indeed, she’d instructed Isabella Thornton to add a special ingredient to Vanessa’s vial—one that, when the base notes emerged, reeked of rotting fish.

Vanessa had doused herself in Eternal Bloom to stand out. The timing was impeccable.

"The base notes are completely different!"

"If it’s plagiarism, why alter the formula into something foul?"

Dominic stepped forward, his voice commanding. "Even if there were an error, it wouldn’t be this catastrophic. Ms. Blake dedicated months to perfecting Eternal Bloom. Consider this—if we stole the formula, why sabotage our own product? Clearly, someone stole it and contaminated our sample to frame DR Holdings."

His gaze slashed toward Evelyn.

"Ms. Carter, we showed leniency because of your past employment here. But you’ve crossed a line—accusing us of your crimes. I’ll sue for defamation to protect our reputations. And if Phoenix Labs shields a thief, they’ll face litigation too."

The crowd erupted.

"Disgraceful!"

"The judges should be investigated!"

"Kick her out!"

In the VIP booth, Alexander Kensington’s knuckles whitened around his glass. Rarely had he encountered such brazen deceit.

His wife stood alone onstage—small, yet unbroken. He moved to intervene—

Then Evelyn spoke.

"You’re right. I did alter the formula."

Alexander stilled.

Evelyn lifted her chin, radiant under the lights. Not a flicker of fear. Only certainty.

He exhaled. Trust her.