"Very good." Robert nodded, giving them a backhanded compliment. "The contestant from Medonia just now left a deep impression on me. He was able to use the limited base scents here to create different fragrances, evoking the taste of local dishes in Medonia. It's interesting. How talented!" His implication was that the other performances were mediocre. After Robert finished speaking, he intentionally looked at Joseph, who had remained silent all along, and asked, "Joseph, what do you think?" Joseph didn't speak, and just nodded slightly. "The Yorks’ position in the fragrance industry is unquestionable. People say that the perfume industry in Medonia is dominated by the Ustalians, but I haven't seen any Ustalian contestants showcasing their talents. Are they all too low-key?" Robert continued to provoke them, unwilling to accept defeat. Joseph finally turned his head to look at him, his old eyes exuding dignity. "We hold this banquet and organize this competition with the
The atmosphere became tense again. No one spoke at the venue. On the silent stage, Melanie stood alone, glaring coldly at Robert sitting beside Joseph. It seemed that if she didn't perform today, she would bring shame to the Ustalians. Joseph had intentionally arranged for her to participate in this "extra round"… Regardless, the provocative words from earlier had indeed affected her. Even if they were deliberately provoking her, she was willing to admit she had fallen for it! Melanie took a step forward, approached the microphone, and said, "The fellow perfumers who showcased their talent earlier were all prepared, but I have to improvise on the spot. Can I have some time to seek inspiration?" "Of course," Robert said with a sinister smile. As long as she agreed, everything was good. Could she even come up with a high-quality creation without preparation? On the side, Robert’s assistant couldn't help adding, "Miss Jones, the banquet ends in one hour. Please be mindful
Melanie didn't really know Joseph, but the question posed was already challenging enough, so a little more challenge didn’t hurt. She glanced at the four "models" sitting in a row, gathered her focus, and walked to the fragrance blending station. "Miss Jones, which person's fragrance will you start with?" Robert asked from the audience. "Since it's an impromptu performance, I'll decide as I go. Maybe I'll blend them all together?" Melanie swept her gaze across the stage with a nonchalant tone. "Please stay quiet. I don't like being disturbed." Although Robert was dissatisfied, he kept silent. She had one hour to create four different fragrances. While Joseph presented it as a single challenge, it was essentially four separate tasks. However, Melanie was confident in herself. Since childhood, she had been interested in perfume blending. Even though her father forbade her from entering this field, she never gave up on secretly studying it. Over the years, she had studied th
After a few seconds of silence, Gabriel smirked and stood up. "You've blended it so uniquely. If it's not me, who else could it be?" "You're flattering me, Mr. Lindsey." Melanie smiled brightly, and began to explain, "Indeed, this fragrance was crafted for Mr. Lindsey. When Mr. Lindsey mentioned 'unique,' he was likely referring to the combination of lychee and rose in the top notes, which, though strange, is outstanding. For the middle notes, I used pink pepper and Bulgarian rose, and the base notes consist of musk and amber. “I want to express that he has always stood out ever since he was a child, but has achieved extraordinary results because he confronts his own shortcomings without feeling inferior. Instead, he maximizes his strengths and talents. How wise is that? “On the one hand, he doesn’t want to adhere to so-called boundaries and step on all constraints. On the other hand, deep within, he has his own set of principles—being himself and sincere.” "You're exaggerati
Melanie was startled and instinctively thought of screaming for help. When she looked up, she saw that it was Jeffrey. He leaned in, questioning, "Why did you create a fragrance for me that represents the King of Hell?" "A vampire is more fitting." Melanie moved away from him, standing as far away as possible. "Don't you think you resemble a vampire? You gain eternal life by sucking human blood." "Am I that frightening?" "Yes." "Do you hate me that much?" "Exactly." He asked the questions, while she responded by tilting her neck up without reservation. Her resolute answers deflated his momentum. Jeffrey calmed down, but refused to admit defeat. "I had someone analyze the fragrance you created for me last time. He said it belongs to the floral category, symbolizing a youthful and tender love, full of warmth and happiness." Melanie's eyes turned cold, and she refused to lift her head. "Who did you consult? Is he a professional?" "You used hyacinth, grapefruit, and
Harlow’s subordinate came over, and looked through the gap below the door. He found no one, and began pushing against the door. However, he was unable to push it open after trying a few times.“Mr. York…this…”His subordinate turned back to ask if he should continue. Harlow said with a wave of his hand, “Forget it. We won’t bother each other. Let’s leave!”With that, the opening and closing of another door sounded. Their footsteps vanished in the distance.“Don’t think about other men while in my arms.”Jeffrey’s low voice broke the silence in the washroom.Melanie snapped back to attention, only to find her arms wrapped around his neck as she leaned against his chest and clung into his torso.She leaped off from his embrace so quickly that Jeffrey tightened his arms around her out of fright.“Slow down!”“Shh!”Melanie looked at the door cautiously, worried that the sound of the door opening and closing from outside was a ruse and that Harlow was still outside.“Don’t wor
“In that case, you might be pregnant,” the doctor said calmly.Melanie’s heart dropped.She quickly calmed herself down, and said, “I’ve been facing more pressure recently and even went overseas. My mood and physical circumstances can affect my menstrual cycle, can’t they?”“That’s right, but everyone’s bodies are built differently. You better do a blood and urine test to confirm whether you’re pregnant or not before we proceed with other tests,” the doctor said with caution.“Melanie, do the tests for peace of mind,” Annie prodded.Melanie nodded, and took the prescription from the doctor.On her way to do the urine test, she couldn’t help but find this entire fiasco fishy. She bumped into a nurse in the washroom, and approached her to ask, “Hello, can I still get a number for the orthopedic clinic?”“Not at the moment,” the nurse said with a shake of her head.“Is your orthopedic clinic very famous? Why are there so many people queuing up to see a doctor there?” Melanie asked
She…was really pregnant!For five weeks, to be exact!Melanie thought back to more than a month ago. She and Jeffrey had been intimate when she wasn’t ovulating, so how did she get pregnant?No wonder she had been feeling weak, dizzy, nauseous and suffered a loss of appetite…“Melanie…” Annie had tried to mentally prepare herself, but she was in a daze as well. “Did you not have any suspicion at all?”“I’ve been so busy, this completely slipped my mind…”Melanie shook her head. She felt upset, even a little indignant.“What are your thoughts, then?” Annie grabbed Melanie’s hand, afraid that she might be too upset. “I don’t know yet,” Melanie said softly. She had made up her mind to leave Jeffrey, yet found out that she was carrying his child…“Do you…not want the baby?” Annie asked.Melanie didn’t know how to answer Annie’s question. From the corner of her eye, she spotted a pregnant lady seated down. Said lady was rather advanced in her pregnancy. Her hands would occasional
Pleasantly surprised, Melanie turned around to see the man she had been looking for. She never stopped saying his name in her head. He stood right behind her.At that moment, she stopped thinking completely.Without even hesitating, she ran toward him and dove into his arms."Ughh."Jeffrey groaned in pain. He did not dare to press against her stomach. Instead, he arched his back to hold her."Where the hell have you been? Do you have any idea how I…" She cried so much that she could not speak."Alright, alright. Good girl. Don't cry. I've come back."Jeffrey kept rubbing the back of her head. "Eagle was too neurotic. I've nearly gone mad from dealing with him. I finally got him to regain some of his sanity today… That's how I had the chance to find you…""How did you know where to find me?" Melanie asked."Today is the day of Nathan's trial. I know you'd definitely be in the courtroom," Jeffrey said confidently.Melanie finally calmed down a little. After letting go of him,
"We're not together…"Kenneth's facial expression changed as soon as he saw Melanie.Melanie noticed there was a hint of guilt in his eyes. This was an unsettling feeling for her. "Then where is he? What happened to you guys?"Noticing that she was shaking, Annie and Carson, who had accompanied her to court, rushed forward to assist her."Eagle had a prior arrangement with Nathan. Once Nathan and Leo's plan at the York family's residence was thwarted, Nathan would press a button. Eagle would then receive a code to detonate a bomb. He'd blow us all up," Kenneth explained."Jeffrey was the one who noticed Eagle wasn't in the right state of mind. That's why he informed me to leave with Mr. Oliver. He… Stayed behind to persuade Eagle…" He added."What happened then?" Melanie's voice was shaking."All I knew after that was that the hotel blew up. I waited for him to contact me but he never did. Mr. Oliver and I have been on the run from Nathan's shadowy pursuits. I only managed to sn
Three days later, the trial was officially in session.Leo's attorney was practically defenseless because the York family's allegations of him poisoning Joseph had been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. Leo was directly sentenced to life in prison.Nathan's attorney, on the other hand, was clever. They tried everything they could to deflect Nathan's allegations.After the presiding judge evaluated the case, he looked up. "Does the plaintiff have any more evidence that the defendant, Nathan, intentionally killed someone?"Hank sat silently at the plaintiff's table.They could only provide evidence of the time when Nathan had tried to murder Hank. However, they had no evidence of Nathan being involved in the explosion on the island this time.Hank looked at Melanie in the audience. She was also frowningThe presiding judge's implication was well understood. Without more evidence, Nathan would not receive a life sentence…"The plaintiff simply does not have sufficient evidence to
Carson sighed. It was time to explain everything to Hank…Although Carson had spent a lot of time in Hank's hospital as Professor Marshall, and he would also tend to their men's wounds, as well as discuss a variety of topics with Hank, they had never acknowledged their relationship…Besides, Carson knew Hank hated him.Hank hated him for being heartless to his grandmother back then. That was why Hank changed his last name to Castillo instead of Yule…"Let's take Melanie back to rest. I'll explain the rest to you myself," Carson said. Hank had already figured out half of it."Grandpa, I'm not going back. I'll wait for the news here," Melanie said firmly.There was no sign of Jeffrey's corpse yet. She would wait until the rescue team confirmed that they could not find any corpse.She wanted a clear answer."Okay. I'll get the trailer ready for you. You can lie down inside. You can't afford to hurt your body anymore than you already have. I checked your pulse earlier. It's not loo
Buzz!Melanie's vision turned black. She began falling backward."Melanie! Melanie!"Carson propped her up and called the doctor over.However, Melanie opened her eyes after a few seconds and tried to stand up. "I'm fine… Grandpa, take me there… I want to go to the scene of the explosion…""You're in no state…""I'm fine. I can hold up," Melanie promised."If you don't let me go and see it with my own eyes, I'll be even more paranoid," she added.Carson knew his granddaughter too well. He sighed and frowned before requesting for a ride. He met up with Hank. The two of them accompanied Melanie to look for Jeffrey.Jeffrey, Kenneth, Mr. Oliver, and Eagle waited at the drop-off point near the York family's residence. Nathan had instructed them to not do anything rash.Mr. Oliver and Eagle were still useful to Nathan.Once Nathan acquired Joseph's signature, he would meet up with them.However, the small hotel they were waiting at was already in ruins. There was smoke everywher
'Chief… Frankie?'Leo turned around in surprise. Nathan did the same. They saw Chief Frankie and several Interpol agents walking out from behind a screen in Joseph's room.Melanie was a part of that group!"Aren't you… dead?" Leo pointed at Melanie in shock."Thanks to you, I'll live a long life." Melanie sneered.Chief Frankie waved his hand. The police behind him charged forward to put handcuffs on Leo and Nathan. Leo narrowed his eyes and quickly pressed a button on the remote in his hand."We'll all die together!" He shouted.However, no matter how hard he pressed, nothing happened in the room."What's going on here… Eagle?" Leo's voice was trembling.His hands were cuffed, and the remote control was confiscated by the police."Leo, you are suspected of poisoning Master York and attempting to murder Melanie and others on the island. We are arresting you for premeditated murder!" Chief Frankie uttered calmly."No… No…" Leo struggled but to no avail. He had no idea what wa
At the same time, Melanie and Carson were on a plane with Professor Turner. They soon arrived at Medonia.Carson contacted Hank ahead of time and asked him to pick them up with his men.After the exhausting journey, Melanie's face was pale. She seemed to be in very poor condition. "I've already contacted the maternity hospital for you. You can go there and wait for your delivery. Leave the rest to me.""No…"Melanie shook her head. "I have to go back."Jeffrey was still in Nathan's hands. She would not be able to wait peacefully if she went to the hospital.Carson knew his granddaughter well enough. "Let her go. Professor Turner and I will be with here. We'll be ready for anything."Carson was still disguised as Maximilian. Hank did not know he was Carson. Hank nodded in agreement.“Mr. Castillo, there's something I need to trouble you with.” Melanie said."I heard from Professor Marshall that you're on good terms with the chief of Medonia's Interpol. Can I trouble him to be a
"Wait a minute! Isn't Jefford actually Jeffrey?" Leo asked while running after Nathan.Nathan ignored him and continued to walk forward.Leo did not give up and followed Nathan closely. "Who exactly is Jeffrey to you?""Are you being unreasonable right now? Why are you still so unsure at this point?" Nathan glanced at Leo contemptuously."I'm dealing with serious business. Don't get in my way with your petty romantic affairs!"After saying that, he glared at Leo and exited the cabin.Leo felt chills in his heart, but he could not make Nathan stay…-Jeffrey was tied up on the deck all this time. His body was freezing, and his lips were turning purple from the cold."Hey, President Morgan, fancy seeing you like this!" Nathan laughed grimly when he saw the miserable state Jeffrey was in."Thanks to you, I've been more miserable than this on many occasions. This is nothing." Jeffrey made it sound like a walk in the park."Hehe." Nathan sneered."I know. You've had strong willp
Lynette seemed stunned. She could not help but stand up with the help of the railing on the speedboat. Her eyes turned red as looked at the island burning in the distance. There was a look of disbelief on her face…If they had not evacuated five minutes ago…By now…She would not have even been able to breathe and think…The explosion sent shockwaves across the ocean's surface. The ride became even more bumpy. With sea water splashing against them, they had all become wet."Are you alright?" Carson protected Melanie. He was worried she would not be able to take it.Her stomach did feel awful, but she braced herself and tried not to tense up. Her emotions would affect her baby.When Lynette heard the voices behind her, she turned around to look at Melanie. Her gaze had become much softer than before. "You're not going to give birth on the boat, are you? I'm a woman, but I don't know how to be a midwife!""I won't give birth now. There are still things left to do," Melanie said.