FREE NOVEL DRAMA Chapter 64
Fernando's words struck with the clarity of a sledgehammer, making his position unequivocal.
It was clear that he already had the whole picture, and nothing would take him by surprise.
The crowd was buzzing with chatter, excited by the unfolding drama.
Journalists, always eager for sensational headlines, sniffed out the chaos, hoping to capture every tantalizing detail.
"Hey, isn't that Ferdinand Blakely? The big boss of the Everett Group!"
“It is said that Scarlet Snake, the champion of the first Perfumery Competition years ago, has won again this time!”
"Many people were dying to see the real Scarlet Serpent face the impostor, but security blocked the way.
No cameras, no pictures.
"
Melany's insides were twisting with fury, but her hands were tied.
The press was right there, out of reach, but she couldn't let this fiasco drag Colton down with it.
The Everett Group was too formidable to provoke, and now, with it confirmed that Allison was indeed Scarlet Snake, the tables had turned in her favor.
But for Melany to publicly admit plagiarism? Confess to cheating? That would seal her fate in Ontdale, marking her with a permanent stain.
Allison spoke with icy calm.
“It’s all settled, Melany.
Do you still want to pretend it was just a tribute?”
The professionals in the crowd smelled blood in the water, and Melany found herself cornered.
“It was my mistake,” she spat, each word dripping with reluctance.
“I shouldn’t have stolen your formula.
”
His apology sounded like stone grinding against metal.
“I’m sorry.
”
Bowing her head, Melany crouched down, offering Allison an exaggerated gesture of submission.
Every second of her public embarrassment was captured by the flashing cameras.
Her jaw clenched so tightly she could feel the tension cracking her teeth.
The wave of bitterness and envy swelled inside her like a storm, threatening to drown her entirely.
Who could have guessed that Allison was the real Scarlet Snake all along?
From the beginning, Allison had played her like a well-tuned violin.
Melany thought her public apology, broadcast for the world to see, would be the final act.
But Allison had no intention of letting Melany – or Colton – off the hook that easily.
“Oh, and what about you, Mr.
Stevens?” Allison’s voice was calm, but laced with quiet fury.
“You accused me of cheating without a shred of evidence.
Don’t you think it’s about time you apologized, too?”
Allison’s gaze lazily shifted to Colton, whose face had drained of all color.
“Surely admitting your mistakes shouldn’t be too difficult, especially for someone of your stature.
CEO of the Stevens Group, saying goodbye gracefully in front of Mr.
Blakely… shouldn’t be too much to ask, right?”
His words were sharp, each one cut with the weight of unspoken threats.
Allison vividly remembered how Colton had once begged Kellan to open the doors for him.
She knew he had his sights set on teaming up with Ferdinand through this very contest.
Colton hesitated, the gravity of what Allison was suggesting settling in.
Refusing to apologize would destroy any hope of partnering with Ferdinand.
The consequences would be far worse than a moment of public embarrassment.
He could feel Ferdinand's cold eyes on him, the pressure intensifying as Kellan, standing next to Allison, watched him intently.
The weight on Colton's shoulders felt suffocating, and the unpleasant sensation ran down his spine.
Gritting his teeth, Colton swallowed his pride.
He had no choice but to accept the humiliation.
"I shouldn't have wrongfully accused Miss Clarke.
" As the audience looked on, Colton bent at the waist, offering a stiff, perfunctory bow.
"I'm sorry".
Although the word was small, the hostility in his voice was impossible to mask.
In the quiet shadows of Athton, Colton had been able to digest the apologies.
But here, under the relentless spotlight of public scrutiny, his dignity was crumbling to dust.
The journalists, always eager for a good scandal, snapped photo after photo, capturing the moment in a flurry of bright flashbulbs.
Colton didn't need to see tomorrow's headlines to know that the damage had been done: every major newspaper would soon carry the story of the Stevens Group CEO's public apology.
But for the moment, it was the only way to stem the tide of outrage and secure Melany's third place.
According to the rules of the contest, she still had a slim chance of partnering with the Everett Group.
The Everett Group was a giant among advertisers around the world, and with their backing, Colton was confident he could turn the tables.
He quietly promised that once he had their support, he would clear his name in the media and regain control of the situation.
As he raged, reporters finally managed to break through security barriers and enter the room.
Their cameras focused on Colton’s bowed face, capturing his suppressed fury.
His face darkened further and he muttered, “Can we go now?”
He cast a weary glance at the crowd of journalists, already calculating how much it would cost to buy their silence.
Allison, with her sweetest smile, waved them away.
“Yeah, you can go now.
Bye.
”
Colton's frustration rose, bubbling dangerously beneath the surface.
Just as he was about to leave, Ferdinand's voice cut through the air with carefree indifference.
"Wait.
Before Colton could realize what was happening, Ferdinand turned to the event organizer with a nonchalant shrug.
“Inform the media that this contestant, caught red-handed in plagiarism, is officially disqualified.
The Perfumery Competition maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for dishonesty and deception.
”
“Understood,” the organizer, who had been holding his tongue throughout the show, quickly replied.
He was more than happy to comply.
Colton and Melany had not only tarnished the reputation of the competition, but had even wrongfully accused a judge.
Now that Ferdinand had spoken, the organizer could not act quickly enough.
Colton and Melany stood frozen, stunned.
Their eyes widened in disbelief.
They couldn't comprehend what had just happened.
The disqualification meant that any dreams of future collaboration with the Everett Group were dead in the water.