Many people hade to the conference, but only a dozen or so were truly qualified topete.


    Eldridge was presiding over the event on behalf of Sir Livingston.


    All contestants first presented their most sessful perfume creations for Sir Livingston to judge, who would then select the top five to advance to the next round.


    After Sir Livingston had evaluated each entry, he confirmed four


    contestants.


    “Aren’t there supposed to be five spots?” someone asked.


    Eldridge looked up at the second floor. “One of the perfumers, Rafael has already witnessed her skills.”


    Wesley frowned and looked up at the second floor, meeting Cecilia’s slightly indifferent gaze.


    Larissa bit her lip in secret. “Why is she here?”


    Wesley brushed Larissa’s hand aside, intending to go upstairs.


    He was stopped by members of the Livingston family


    With a frosty expression, he looked at Eldridge. “She’s pregnant.”


    It’s not suitable for her to participate in such apetition


    Eldridge mocked his ignorance. “There are only a handful of spices that are harmful to pregnant women. Besides, with her abilities, she can identify ingredients just by looking at them.”


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    Wesley knew nothing about Cecilia’s true skills.


    Larissa tugged carefully at Wesley’s arm.


    “Wes.”


    Her face was pale, looking extremely fragile.


    With Cecilia here, she would gain nothing.


    “The baby is still developing. Smelling too many of those scents isn’t good.” she whispered, hoping Wesley would take Cecilia away.


    Meanwhile, people nearby had already started to whisper among themselves.


    After all, back when Cecilia was still known as Prisci, she was the chief perfumer of the Carlton Group, managing a vast R&D


    Department.


    The Holiday Series perfume was also a line she hadunched.


    The reason they ttered Larissa was partly for Wesley’s sake, and partly because no one expected Cecilia to show up here.


    Thinking of how Larissa had just basked in their praise, everyone realized there would be quite a spectacle today.


    Wesley had thought Cecilia wouldn’te.


    He thought she would care about the child she was carrying


    But she had never cared about that child in the slightest.


    Wesley felt utterly disheartened. He also noticed Luciano by her side, guarding her like a devoted knight.


    Ha!


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    Wesley’s expression grew even darker, all cold indifference.


    “Cecilia,e down.” He called her name coolly.


    Since Cecilia hade, she was prepared topete.


    She would not leave with Wesley.


    “Mr. Carlton, you’re so eager to call me down–are you trying to make me leave? What, are you afraid that with me here, Ms. Wilburn won’t be able to win?”


    Sheid their intentions bare.


    Larissa bit her lip, her eyes filled with jealousy, though her face was all concern.


    “Cecilia, you’re pregnant. Wes is just worried about your health.”


    “You’re a perfumer–you know that many ingredients are dangerous for pregnant women.”


    “Cecilia, don’t risk the baby.”


    She looked so innocent, as if she was only thinking of Cecilia’s well- being.


    Cecilia crossed her arms, looking down at them from above.


    “Ms. Wilburn, since you’re so kind, why don’t you withdraw instead?”


    She noticed that as soon as she made this suggestion, the remaining contestants all looked hopeful.


    Of course–Larissa was said to be Catherine’s protege. If she withdrew, everyone would have one less formidable rival.


    With a bright smile, she continued, “I can also promise that if Ms.


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    Wilburn withdraws, I will too.”


    If Larissa wanted to y the role of the gentle, kind heroine, she was dreaming.


    Everyone looked at Larissa expectantly.


    Naturally, they hoped she would withdraw.


    Larissa blinked, and tears began to stream down her face. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed in grievance.


    “Wes. L…”


    She was full of grievances. “I was just reminding her to take care of the baby, but she… she…”


    She was very upset.


    Wesley looked up at the woman on the second floor, his dark eyes growing colder and colder.


    Cecilia had trampled all over his feelings.


    “Don’t let her guilt–trip you.”


    He sneered, “No amount of kind words can save a damned soul.”


    <b>Larissa </b>was secretly delighted, but still sobbed, “But the baby.. you were looking forward to that child so much”


    Wesley grabbed Larissa’s wrist and led her back into the crowd. “Get ready for yourpetition”


    Larissa lowered her head, hiding her satisfaction.


    No matter what, Cecilia, you can never take Wesley away from me.


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    He would always be on her side.


    Cecilia’s fingers gripped the railing so tightly her knuckles turned white, her face expressionless as she looked downstairs.


    She saw Wesley socializing with Larissa, and soon, he had coaxed a smile onto Larissa’s face.


    “Cecilia.” Luciano sounded a bit worried about her.


    He was even willing to offer his shoulder.


    “If you want to cry, you can lean on me.”


    Cecilia’s tone was very calm as she declined Luciano’s kindness.


    She was here topete for the title of Sir Livingston’s final disciple, not to fight over a man.


    Eldridge had already announced the remaining five contestants. Next, they would each prepare a perfume in a designated room.


    The process wasn’t public because every perfumer’s form was a closely guarded secret.


    Cecilia entered the room.


    Inside, there was a wide array ofmonly used ingredients.


    With just a nce, she knew exactly how tobine the ingredients to achieve the scent she wanted.


    Just as Eldridge had said, she didn’t even need to get close and smell them–her choices were already clear in her mind.


    Very soon, she began to work.


    Half an hourter.


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    The perfume was finished. Cecilia ced her sample on the tray.


    To ensure fairness, each of the five used a different colored bottle for their perfume. After thepetition, someone would collect them.


    Once gathered together, they would be presented to Sir Livingston for evaluation.


    Cecilia left the room and stood to one side, with Larissa standing nearby.


    Larissa was full of confidence, holding her head high like a proud peacock. “Cecilia, this time, I’ll make you admit defeat.”


    Cecilia raised an eyebrow, utterly unimpressed.


    “You?”


    “When have you ever beaten me?”


    Larissa was furious. “Cecilia, don’t get cocky.”


    Cecilia let out a scornfulugh, brimming with confidence.


    After the others came out, someone gathered all the perfume bottles and brought them to Sir Livingston.


    Sir Livingston smelled each one, then went back to`smell two of the bottles again.


    His brows furrowed.


    “These two perfumes smell exactly the same.”