Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

In the auditorium, there were several media personnel specifically invited by Sean to bolster his appearance, and some were even livestreaming on the internet. The preceding scene quickly spread online, inciting a wave of disparagement. Amber watched as the online topic gained traction and reveled in the harsh critiques directed at Tina, her lips curling into a satisfied smile.

On stage, Sean could barely contain his anger, turning it into a mocking laughter, "Tina, you might have been a bit too arrogant!"

"Enough," Tina replied, visibly annoyed.

"I will ensure you face utter humiliation!" Sean coldly threatened before signaling for the competition to start.

Given that inspiration is key in fragrance blending, even though the competitors had been given a week to prepare, the challenge was set to last only an hour.

The time quietly passed as the audience observed Sean theatrically sniffing various ingredients, pretending to ponder as he wrote notes. In contrast, Tina approached the blending table and swiftly picked her essential ingredients, proportioning and blending them into a perfume in less than ten minutes. Afterward, she casually napped next to the blending table, her slumbering face projected massively onto the backdrop screen.

To ensure the contest's fairness and prevent cheating, everything at the blending tables was broadcasted onto a large screen behind the stage. Thus, Tina's magnified sleeping face occupied half of the screen.

Jared Farrell massaged his temples, finding the scene quite picturesque yet regretting the public spectacle.

Sean, still fanning the scent from the paper with a look of scorn, had anticipated Tina's reliance on her mother's formulas. He thought her naive for not even attempting to disguise it.

Due to a video released online of Tina challenging Sean from the previous Friday, many attendees were already aware of her use of her mother's perfume formula. Like Sean, they contemptuously thought that even if Tina were to win using her legacy, it was still her mother's work, not hers.

Only the students of Class 22D and Jared Farrell showed confidence in Tina. Even the gossips, like Hayden Cohen and Nathan Lehman, doubted her. "Marie."

Turning, Marie was surprised to see Linnet Sinclair, "Linnet?"

Earlier, Linnet had abruptly left, only to return out of dissatisfaction, curious to witness Tina's expected downfall.

"Marie, you must see how inappropriate Miss Reed is behaving," Linnet whispered, feigning concern. "Everyone guessed she's using her mother's formula, but she could at least pretend. Winning like this is disgraceful, losing would be even worse."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Marie snapped back, her tone cooling. "Tina will not lose. She doesn't need her mother's formula; she is a natural perfumery genius! Sean is nowhere close to her level."

Stunned by Marie's fierce defense, Linnet couldn't grasp such loyalty. A week ago, Marie had disliked Tina immensely, and now she was one of her staunchest advocates.

Unbeknownst to Linnet, during the past week, Marie had witnessed Tina effortlessly create several exquisite perfumes, one notably a citrus fragrance named "Marie," intended only for her, never to be sold on the market. "Linnet, return to your seat, the air is thinner here, and you're disturbing my breathing," Marie dismissed her coldly.

Meanwhile, an hour had passed, and Sean finished his act.

Judges evaluated the perfumes spritzed onto scent strips. Initially, they were indifferent to Tina's sample, lavishing praise only on Sean's creation. A young judge commended him, "Prince of Perfume, truly a name well-earned. This creation surpasses all your previous endeavors."

The head judge, Vivienne Blaine, a distinguished woman nearing fifty, nodded in agreement, "This might be my favorite since Q's collection. Keep pushing, and perhaps one day, you'll surpass your mentor."

The audience buzzed with the prospect of Sean exceeding his master, Q. Flashbulbs flickered incessantly, eager to capture this moment.

Glancing at the neglected strip containing Tina's perfume, Sean smugly smirked at her. He was certain of his victory. But just then, judge Henry White, the only one seriously comparing both strips, whispered something to Vivienne Blaine. She picked up Tina's strip, gave it a sniff, and her expression morphed into one of shock. "This... is this Fathom?"