"Cloudy?" Lilah called out tentatively.

The woman smiled, as expected, and closed the door behind her before striding toward Lilah. “It's really you, Windy. Your presence has a certain aura. What's the theme of your perfume this time? May I have a preview? I'd like to offer mine for your feedback as well."

"I haven't planned to release my perfume yet," Lilah responded politely to Cloudy. "It's very personal and significant to me, so I'll release it when the time is right."

"I understand," Cloudy said, not pushing further. She then presented her own perfume. "Mine is crafted specifically for this contest. Would you like to try it?"

With that, she sprayed some onto a sample strip and handed it to Lilah.

Lilah took a whiff and chuckled. “Its top note is as vibrant and fiery as you. Did you design this to reflect your own persona?"

“Windy, you're incredible. To think you caught the essence with just one sniff! I thought I had concealed the theme well. Any tips on how I could enhance it?"

"I'm afraid it's too late for any major changes now."

"It doesn't matter," Cloudy said, shaking her head with a generous smile.

"You're in the contest, and I'm aware of my own skills. I'll release my perfume later. I want it to be perfect before it goes on sale."

"You might consider adding some bergamot to the base note," Lilah suggested.

"Some might think bergamot's scent is too strong and could overpower the fragrance, but your perfume lacks a versatile note in the finish. Adding bergamot could elevate it to a new level."

"Genius! You truly are a genius!" Cloudy exclaimed, her eyes widening in amazement. “How did you know I've been struggling with the scent being too one-dimensional? I've tried many different scents, but none gave me the effect I was seeking. Bergamot had never crossed my mind. You know my capabilities. How far do you think I can go in this contest?"

After a moment of thought, Lilah replied, “Given your current formulation, you're likely to have a similar perfume style to Karol Morris' creation. A lot will depend on the sequence of presentations. If you present after her, it could affect your ranking adversely."

“Similar perfume style?" Cloudy pondered, staring at the perfume bottle in her hand. "How do you know Karol's perfume is a strong one?"

“Because my first two creations were light perfumes," Lilah explained.

Light perfumes were a double-edged sword. They could garner significant success in terms of both reputation and sales, sometimes even becoming classics revered as masterpieces over time.

However, it was a fact that strong perfumes tended to be more popular in competitions, particularly in this year's contest. The results from the first two rounds had made this clear. Compared to light perfumes, strong ones were more likely to clinch a win, which likely bolstered Karol's confidence.

Yet, against genuine talent, even the best strategies could fall short.

Cloudy scoffed. "She's clever and cunning, but not a skilled perfumer. Her creations are too formulaic, almost industrial, which might score well but lacks the essence of true perfumery. A good perfumer doesn't just add purpose to their perfume. They infuse it with inspiration, much like your previous work."

“If her perfume is named Ambition, perhaps that could be seen as inspiration,"

Lilah mused, smiling as she turned to apply lipstick in the mirror.

"You're ready to accept the prize," Cloudy remarked with a grin. "It seems you're set on claiming it."

"If I lose to mere ambition, that would be quite embarrassing," Lilah replied.