Chapter 256

“Nora, don’t risk the child.”
Eleanor’s voice was all innocence, as if she were only thinking of Nora’s well-
being.
Nora folded her arms, gazing down at them from the landing with cool detachment.
“If you’re so kindhearted, Ms. Quinn, why don’t you step down yourself?”
The moment she made the suggestion, the remaining contestants all glanced at Eleanor with unconcealed hope.
After all, Eleanor was rumored to be Ms. Catherine’s protégé. If she withdrew, the competition would lose its greatest threat.
Nora smiled brightly, her tone light. “In fact, I’m willing to promise that if Ms. Quinn withdraws, I’ll walk away too.”
Eleanor wanted everyone to see her as gentle and virtuous-she could keep dreaming.
Now, every eye in the room was fixed on Eleanor, silently begging her to back out. Of course, they all hoped she’d be the one to leave.
Eleanor’s eyes filled instantly; tears streamed down her cheeks as her shoulders shook with practiced sorrow.
“I she stammered, voice trembling, “I just wanted to remind her to think of her baby, but she… she
She looked utterly heartbroken.
From the crowd, Daniel looked up at the woman standing on the second floor. His dark eyes grew colder by the second.
Nora had stomped all over his sincerity.
“Don’t let her guilt trip you,” he said, voice laced with derision. “Kind words can’t save those who insist on self-destruction.”
Eleanor, secretly delighted, continued to sob. “But the child… You were so excited for that baby
Daniel gripped Eleanor’s wrist and drew her back into the crowd. “Focus on your competition.”
Eleanor lowered her head to hide her satisfaction.
No matter what Nora did, she could never take Daniel from her.
He would always be on her side.
Nora’s fingers tightened around the banister, knuckles white, her face unreadable as she stared down at the scene below.
She watched Daniel working the room with Eleanor at his side. In no time, he had her smiling again.
“Nora.” Louis appeared at her elbow, concern etched on his face.
He offered his shoulder, quietly supportive.
“If you want to cry, you can lean on me.” Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on
Nora shook her head, her tone flat, rejecting his kindness.
She was here to compete for the right to become Mr. Frost’s last apprentice-not to get tangled up in love triangles.
Warner had just announced the five remaining contestants. Now, each would be sent to a private room to blend a perfume on the spot.
The process wasn’t public, since every perfumer guarded their formulas as closely as family secrets.
Nora entered her room.
Inside, dozens of glass jars lined the tables, holding every fragrance ingredient she’d ever seen on the market.
One glance was all she needed. She already knew how to combine the scents to craft exactly what she wanted.
As Warner had said, she didn’t need to lean in and sniff; the formula was already clear in her mind.
Without hesitation, she got to work.
Half an hour later, her perfume was finished. Nora placed the sample on a tray.
To keep things fair, each contestant used a different colored bottle. Afterward, someone would collect them all.
The bottles would then be brought together for Mr. Frost to judge-without knowing who made which.
Nora stepped out, waiting quietly. Eleanor was already standing nearby.
Eleanor, brimming with confidence, tossed her head like a proud peacock. “Nora,
this time you’ll lose so completely you won’t even be able to protest.”
Nora arched an eyebrow, barely interested.
“Really? You think you can beat me?”
“When have you ever won against me?” she shot back.
Eleanor’s face twisted in frustration. “Don’t get cocky, Nora.”
Nora just laughed, her self-assurance unshaken.
The others soon emerged, and all the perfume bottles were placed together and
carried to Mr. Frost.
He sampled each one in turn, pausing to sniff two of the bottles again.
A frown creased his brow.
“These two perfumes smell exactly the same.”