She paused, her expression solemn. "Nevertheless, this perfume is a tribute to love. I must offer my apologies—it will not be released to the public."

"Intriguing," remarked a man in the VIP hall, turning to his assistant with a quizzical expression.

"Mr. Morris, what do you mean?" the assistant asked.

“If she had seized this opportunity to announce the perfume's release, sales would have soared. Yet, she's chosen to withhold it from the public," he explained.

The initial skepticism in Absolon's eyes morphed into admiration.

Lilah's demeanor stirred a sense of familiarity within him—a spiritedness and unwavering determination that echoed someone from his past.

Gazing at Lilah, Absolon found himself momentarily lost in thought, questioning whether he had mistaken her for someone else in his reverie.

“Logically speaking, her decision lacked the foresight of the future,"

Absolon said, his voice carrying the weight of contemplation. "In matters of sentiment, perhaps her choice resonates with the depths of my soul," he added, his words a delicate dance between logic and emotion.

With deliberate poise, Absolon rose from his seat. His assistant, trailing in his wake, bore the weight of concern etched across his features.

"Karol's temperament may suffer in the aftermath," his assistant said cautiously, his voice tinged with worry.

Absolon's voice dripped with disdain as he dismissed Karol's behavior.

“Impulsive and jealous," he muttered, shaking his head. "She needs a lesson in humility. Perhaps this setback will serve as a much-needed wake-up call."

Absolon's indifference toward Karol's state of mind was palpable, despite his initial intention to offer support to his supposed daughter.

Karol, nurtured as a successor from childhood, exuded an air of arrogance.

Proficient in multiple fields and boasting various achievements, her demeanor reflected her privileged upbringing and sense of entitlement.

As a result, Karol had never faced adversity throughout her upbringing, leading to her development into a pampered and entitled young woman.

Absolon had always indulged Karol, and he knew that changing her character would be a daunting task, especially now that she was set in her ways. If this defeat served as a wake-up call for her, he silently thanked Gerard's girlfriend for inadvertently providing the catalyst.

As the competition drew to a close, Absolon had no intention of lingering any longer. Yet, just as he was about to step into his car, he found himself reflexively glancing upward.

Regrettably, Absolon had only a moment to react, swiftly sidestepping as an arrow plunged into his chest.

"Mr. Morris!"

The assistant's voice crackled with urgency as he rushed to Absolon's side, his eyes wide with panic. He swiftly directed the security team to encircle Absolon, their presence forming a protective barrier around the injured man.

"Block all the roads," the assistant commanded, his tone authoritative. "The assailant won't get away. Call the police and the hospital, now!"

The unexpected turn of events sent shockwaves through the crowd.