As Allison walked out, Rebecca happily put an arm around her shoulder.

“Mr. Blakely’s chef? That man could give any top-notch kitchen a run for its money! And while I was savoring the food, I also got some juicy information,” Rebecca boasted, her eyes shining with satisfaction.

“I found out that Kellan’s stepmother was his father’s mistress, the one who pushed his real mother to the edge. His father? No better. He’s got his children locked in a twisted battle royale, practically making them fight for survival. And what’s worse, Kellan is competing with his illegitimate siblings.”

Rebecca shook her head, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Thank goodness I’m an only child. None of that sordid family drama for me.”

Allison smiled, her eyes piercing. “You spent so little time with Mr. Blakely, and yet you learned so much. I’m sure you two got along.”

Rebecca shrugged indifferently. “It was fine. Ferdinand is easy on the eyes, I’ll give you that, and he doesn’t waste time on nonsense. But please, Allison, I have a line of men waiting. I don’t need to chain myself to one. Relationships? They’re a cage. You’re much freer on your own.”

Allison laughed softly. Rebecca’s carefree attitude was as daring as ever. Then, as if remembering something, Rebecca leaned closer. “So, how did it go with Kellan? Any progress on the perfume thing?”

Allison’s face darkened slightly at the question. She explained her suspicions and carefully pulled a lock of hair from her purse—now sealed in a plastic bag. “Rebecca, I need you to help me with a DNA test. This is too much of a coincidence.”

Rebecca took the bag with a wave of her hand. “Don’t worry. I know a top-notch, discreet lab.”

Rebecca also sensed the strangeness of the situation. The coincidence between Allison’s mother’s disappearance and Kellan’s mother’s death was eerily close. Even their methods of perfuming themselves bore an uncanny resemblance. The theory seemed plausible, but…

“Let’s hope this doesn’t end up being one of those weird ‘soulmates who happen to be brothers’ situations,” Rebecca joked with a sly grin. “And don’t pretend you didn’t notice. There was quite a spark between you two.”

Allison rolled her eyes at the mockery, but eventually threw her hands up in defeat. “It’s nothing. Just two people who happened to cross paths. There’s no way we’re going to end up together.”

Rebecca raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing it. “Don’t be so quick to dismiss fate. It has a way of throwing curveballs.”

Later, in the lab, Rebecca cheerfully handed over the hair samples. “Doctor, take good care of this. And make sure your team doesn’t say anything. This could affect your funding for the rest of the year.” His words were wrapped in a smile, but the underlying threat was unmistakable.

The doctor nodded respectfully. “Of course.” In reality, Ontdale’s lab operations were largely funded by the Green family, and they only served high-level clients who needed the utmost confidentiality. In their world, discretion wasn't just a courtesy; it was survival.

Rebecca smiled. “Relax, honey, we’ll have the results soon. How about a celebratory dinner? It’s been a hell of a day.”

“Why not? Let’s go to Jasmine Restaurant,” Allison agreed, though her appetite wasn’t particularly strong. It had been years since she had visited, and Rebecca’s excitement was hard to refuse.

As soon as she sat down in the car, tiredness took over, and she fell asleep. When she opened her eyes again, they were arriving at the restaurant. The elegant private dining room was just as she remembered it: classic, refined, and serene, with lush gardens and pavilion-like décor that gave it an air of exclusivity. Only the elite dined here.

“Nothing has changed,” Allison said, smiling as she followed Rebecca upstairs.

They had planned a quiet evening to catch up over a good meal, but as soon as they walked in, they were greeted by an unpleasant sight. In a corner, looking as fragile and pitiful as ever, was Melany, her eyes full of tears.

“Colton, after all these years, how can you still doubt me? I never claimed to be Scarlet Snake, and I didn’t know Allison was the legendary perfumer.”