Secrets Of The Neglected Wife: When Her True Colors Shine

Colton, caught between his desire to protect Melany and the mess unraveling before him, forced himself to suppress his frustrations.

“Let’s not dredge up the past,” he said, his voice tense.

“Besides, Melany didn’t steal or copy anything.

She simply added something to your original formula.

Now that it’s in the public domain, the formula is worth as much as a broken watch.

Still, I’m willing to offer you $200,000 as compensation.

” The last sentence escaped his lips like a bitter swallow, each word dragged through clenched teeth.

“Let’s end it here.

We can still leave with our heads held high.

”

Melany’s eyes were shining with unshed tears, wearing the look of someone deeply wronged.

“This isn’t Allison’s fault.

It’s my fault for creating this misunderstanding.

Allison has been hiding her identity as the famous perfumer Scarlet Snake for years, and honestly, I’ve always admired her.

That’s why I’ve spent time studying her techniques in perfumery.

”

With practical ease, Melany sidestepped the real issue, diverting attention from her dishonesty.

But the public remained skeptical, with a silence full of doubt.

Noticing the change, Melany burst into tears and wasted no time in playing the victim.

“Allison,” she said, her voice shaking with manufactured emotion.

“I know you never liked me, thinking I wrecked your marriage.

I’ve carried that guilt around for a long time.

I understand why you’re lashing out now, because Colton and I are about to get married.

”

As if on cue, she dropped to her knees, her sobs echoing through the room, painting herself as the sacrificial lamb.

“Allison, if this is what it takes to make amends with you, I will do it.

But please, I beg you, don’t bring Colton into this.

You know how much this competition means to him…”

He twisted the tale with the skill of a skilled storyteller, presenting the scandal as a love triangle.

Rebecca, fed up, retorted: "What a nerve! Plagiarism is plagiarism, stop trying to divert the conversation from the truth!"

Allison, cold as ice, added, “Melany, no matter how much you try to spin it, cheating and stealing ideas will be dealt with under the rules of the contest.

” Her gaze then shifted to Colton, her tone sharp and unyielding.

“As for you, staying friends after a divorce? That’s for people who enjoy keeping their lives entangled.

”

“Draggling me into your mess, it’s disgusting.

” Allison’s words cut through the air like a blade, leaving Colton and Melany reeling, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

Colton’s face darkened, his voice rising.

“We can settle this later, but for the record, Melany did not cheat.

If you actually read the rules…”

His defense was abruptly cut short as the crowd fell silent, parting like the sea before a storm.

“Mr.

Blakely.

”

A staff member spoke up as a man with a head full of curls approached, wearing a wide, friendly smile.

“Kellan, it’s great to see you here,” the man said casually.

“Are you still hoping I’ll invest in your company?”

Next to Kellan was Ferdinand Blakely, who added with a smirk: “Strange, isn’t it? The Everett Group is always keen to back new talent, but with the Lloyd family’s wealth, you wouldn’t think my investment would be necessary.

”

The room murmured in recognition: Fernando, the president of the Everett Group, had a reputation for being as sharp as he was shrewd.

Today, however, his presence radiated a friendly warmth that was oddly disarming.

But beneath her sparkling eyes and easy smile lay the sharp edge of a razor.

“I think you’re taking advantage of the competition’s publicity wave to launch your new perfume, Charisma.

How timely, don’t you think?”

Kellan laughed, unfazed.

“You’re not missing a thing, Ferdinand.

”

Allison watched the exchange with calm reflection, noting the camaraderie between the two men.

Ferdinand turned to her with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Miss Clarke, I presume.

I've heard a lot about you, winner of the first Perfumery Competition, haven't I?"

"I'm flattered, Mr.

Blakely," Allison replied politely, though she could not help feeling that, for all his warmth, Ferdinand maintained a distance, a barrier that no one could breach.

He sighed, almost as if the whole situation bored him.

“It’s a shame that the contest has been marred by so many unqualified entrants.

It’s taken a toll on its reputation.

”

His gaze drifted lazily to Melany, and his voice dropped to a chilling tone.

“And if there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s dishonesty.

So, Miss Johnson, isn’t it time you offered a proper apology?”