Chapter 373 Extremely Awkward
Clara was still wondering how Master Deer knew her mother's surname when the host appropriately interrupted her, "Contestant number 5, did you bring the original manuscript? Or do we need to send someone to get it?"
She snapped back to reality. "No need, I brought it. It's in my bag in the lounge."
Clara usually kept it at home, but today was special, so she brought it along, not expecting it to come in handy.
To avoid any other incidents, a judge randomly selected an audience member to accompany Clara to retrieve it.
The contestants on stage whispered among themselves.
"Why has this simple competition become so complicated?"
"It's not the competition; it's contestant number five."
"Actually, her perfumes never had their own unique characteristics. I researched them before and always felt something was off. But she has a background, so we couldn't say much."
"Yes, I researched too. Her competition perfumes always have a common trait, but the ones she makes outside of competitions are completely different."
"Logically, different formulas produce different perfumes, but we should at least find some commonality in a perfumer's work. People who don't understand the industry might not delve into this, but those who do will notice immediately."
Isadora didn't want to get involved in these complicated matters, so she remained indifferent.
She came to this competition, passed through multiple rounds to reach the finals, aiming for the championship, not to discuss rumors.
And this championship, she was determined to win.
Isadora needed to win the championship to gain her grandmother's approval and qualify for next month's event.
Serafina interjected, "Forget it, you'll find out soon enough."
She had always disliked Clara's demeanor, even though they rarely interacted.
But Serafina couldn't tolerate Clara's pretentious and manipulative facade. Clara wasn't weak at all; she merely pretended to be, which deeply disgusted Serafina.
She had also seen the gossip about the Kennedy family.
She couldn't believe Clara's image had fallen so low, yet she still had the nerve to participate in this competition.
Serafina was curious why Clara didn't feel any shame.
Five minutes later, the three returned.
Clara held a small 16K-sized notebook.
She returned to her position.
Victoria looked at the notebook in her hand, a deep and bright smile appearing in her eyes.
But Victoria didn't rush to look at Clara's notebook. Instead, she suddenly said, "I heard Ms. Kennedy wants to be my apprentice, is that true?"
Clara was puzzled.
She had never told anyone about this, except her family and once bragged about it in front of Victoria.
Being asked this publicly, she could only nod in response. "Yes. I believe I'm not the only one who wants to be Master Deer's apprentice. Learning from you is every perfumer's dream."
Everyone was stunned. They all knew Master Deer never took on students.
Someone once asked her why, and she said it was because she was lazy.
No one could argue with that, as it was her own choice.
"I also heard you are determined to win?" Victoria asked straightforwardly and calmly.
Clara's smile froze instantly.
She didn't expect Victoria to be so blunt, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Serafina and Isadora glanced at Clara, thinking, 'She really dares to say that! How confident is she?'
Clara couldn't figure out who told her these things.
Victoria didn't miss the shock and confusion on her face.
Victoria, seizing the moment as Clara hesitated, said, "Taking on students isn't impossible."
Everyone wondered if Master Deer was going to make an exception today.
She gave Clara a meaningful look on stage. "However, I will never take you on as a student—now or in the future—because you are not qualified."
Clara was shocked once again. Her face turned pale instantly; it felt like a public humiliation.
All the audience and staff on site, including the online viewers, felt immense awkwardness through the screen. Some viewers began posting comments rapidly.
[Oh my God! Master Deer has utterly crushed the ambitions of the 'heiress prodigy'.]
[Clara will probably lose all audience trust after today.]
[Did Clara offend Master Deer?]
[From what I know, Master Deer never speaks about someone like this publicly. There must be a reason!]
[Clara must have done something bad again.]
[Her facade has long since crumbled; she pretends to be kind, but she's actually quite scheming. Last time, she stole her sister's music score. Is she up to her old tricks again?]
[Will my worldview be shattered again?]
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