Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 264: Half Part Only

A few minutes before the time ran out, Natalie finished making her perfume. Finally, everyone in the audience let out a sigh of relief.

Natalie carried her creation to the judges and placed the tray in front of them. All five judges tested it one by one, their expressions shifting noticeably. They looked at each other in disbelief, then turned their gazes to Natalie.

They examined the formula Natalie had written, and their expressions changed once more.

Briena, standing to the side, smirked smugly. Now it’s time for your downfall, Natalie.

"Ms. Natalie, you and Ms. Briena have created exactly the same perfume. How can that be?" one of the judges asked.

Whispers rippled through the hall, the audience stunned.

"Has she plagiarized Briena again?"

"Seems like it. Briena finished first, clearly knowing what she was creating, while Natalie looked lost and confused."

Despite the murmurs, Natalie remained calm and composed, her expression serious and unwavering.

The judges turned to Briena. "Ms. Briena, what do you have to say about this?"

Briena walked confidently toward the judges and stood beside Natalie, adopting a sorrowful expression. "I have no idea why her perfume is similar to mine. I worked hard to create it, and the formula is imprinted in my memory, which is why I could make it faster and perfectly."

Her words, spoken with a tone of feigned innocence, clearly implied her accusation.

Someone from the audience shouted loudly, "Natalie Ford, have you stolen your sister’s work again, just like in the past? I’m sure you did. You don’t deserve to be here."

The hall buzzed with accusations.

had been quiet until now, clenched her fists, her anger evident. She was ready to

swallowed her anger and remained seated, though her frustration was

the same. Don’t tell me you’ve stolen my formula this time as well. How could you, Natalie? I thought you’d been working hard, and I

face filled

down," one of the judges interjected. "It could be a

snapped. "There is no coincidence here. I’m certain she stole it. She’s done it before," she said, turning toward one of the judges. "Mr.

Ker, visibly uncomfortable, simply hummed and stayed

let it go, thinking we’re family, but this time you’ve crossed the line. I’ll make sure you go to

calm, almost dismissive expression, as though she regarded them

of the judges said sternly. "What is going on here? Did you

replied, her voice steady

you’ve always envied me, but you’re talented too. I’m sure you could have created a great perfume on your own. What was the need to

started crying and Clara started

look at Briena, her gaze icy. "What if I say you’re the one who

Briena, slightly shaken under Natalie’s cold stare, tried to maintain her composure. "I prepared the perfume before you and everyone here saw it. If it was yours, then why did it take you so long to prepare it? Unless, of course,

matter," Natalie replied, a faint smirk forming on her lips. "What matters is who creates it

did it

"When you tested that perfume,

glances, remembering their own feelings of unease when they tested Briena’s

"I worked hard to create it, and I know

why don’t you

the table where Briena’s perfume was still placed in front of the judges. She then addressed the panel.

the judges picked up the perfume and tested it once more.

come its scent has changed?" one of the judges exclaimed in

alarmed, rushed to the table and smelled her own perfume. Her face went pale—it was entirely different from what she