Chapter 310

Standing nearby, Melanie pulled out her phone and said, "We should add each other for easier contact." Before she could scan the QR code, Lisa put her phone away.

"Okay, I should go. My dad will be looking for me. Let's get in touch again!"

"Lisa, I haven't—" Melanie stood up, but Lisa, ignoring her, waved goodbye to Lily and quickly ran off.

Watching Lisa leave, Melanie clenched her phone, wishing she could crush it.

"You always step on others," Lily sneered, "but not everyone wants to be your stepping stone. Be careful not to fall!"

"Why can't I? That's what I'm good at! What right do you have to judge me? You climbed to the top using your relationships too. Don't act superior—we're the same."

Embarrassed by Lisa's rejection, Melanie lashed out at Lily. Frustrated by her inability to get close to Lisa, Melanie realized the girl wasn't her ultimate goal. Since she couldn't reach Lisa directly, she'd go to the source.

"When you have bad intentions, you assume everyone else does," Lily said, glancing at Melanie. "Ever looked in the mirror?"

"You—" Before Melanie could reply, Lily and her assistant left.

Frank, having observed the exchange, approached Melanie. "I thought you could cling to something good," he said.

Looking at Lily, Melanie retorted, "What's the rush? Rome wasn't built in a day."

"That's only if you succeed," Frank scoffed, seeing through her plans. "At your pace, you'll build nothing."

Melanie, always ambitious, was willing to use her body to obtain a formula and win the annual competition. Seeing Wesley Parker, Frank knew what she'd do next. He didn't care; he was almost finished with her anyway, seeking novelty, and appreciating her greed. They were alike; perhaps he could exploit her.

Melanie turned to him. "Don't just talk about me, Mr. Moreau. We've been here a while, and you're not as famous or important as you claimed."

In Hyderland, Melanie had overestimated Frank's importance in the perfumery world. She'd thought clinging to him would bring her fame. However, in Woodland, she realized he wasn't as influential as she'd believed—in fact, he was insignificant. The organizers didn't give him special treatment. Had Frank exaggerated his status?