Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle' novel Chapter 560

Chapter 560: Time to Honor the Bet

The judges were practically laughing in disbelief—how could Country Y have produced such a foolish perfumer as Frank?

Losing was nothing shameful; he could always try again next time. But to claim the competition was rigged, to accuse the champion of cheating, all because he only scored a 7.9? Did he really think that made sense? Now that the truth was revealed, wasn’t it only more humiliating for him?

"No... impossible!"

Frank’s eyes widened in utter shock, refusing to accept reality. "Impossible—!"

But would a judging panel and review committee—half of whom were from Country Y—really lie for Selina?

Of course not.

Country Y prided itself as the kingdom of perfume. Elevating a Country M competitor to the champion’s podium at the expense of Ronald and his prized student brought them no benefit. Which only meant one thing: Selina had earned her victory fairly. Even the Country Y judges had to acknowledge her skill.

With the truth exposed, Frank’s outrage and tantrum became nothing more than a public joke.

Not long ago, he’d sneered that any perfume scoring 7.9 must have been crafted by some amateur, unqualified perfumer. Yet now it was revealed that the 7.9 belonged to him. Every word of mockery he had aimed at Selina had boomeranged back, striking him like arrows.

"Didn’t Frank just claim the creator of the 26th perfume must be an amateur...? Isn’t he basically slapping himself now?"

"I can’t believe Ronald is his teacher. Shouldn’t a master know his student’s true level? Why would he let Frank embarrass himself like this? Or maybe Ronald can’t even tell good from bad anymore?"

"Don’t blame Ronald too much. He’s Piper’s student, after all. This whole mess is probably Frank’s fault."

"Frank comes from nobility. Ronald likely took him on for the family’s prestige. What choice did he have?"

"Well, now Frank’s reputation is ruined, and Ronald won’t come out unscathed either. What a disgrace..."

Frank’s face turned deathly pale. He staggered back a step, shaking his head violently in denial. "No, I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it—"

"Mr. Frank, apologize."

Logan’s voice cut through the tension, slow and deliberate, his eyes sharp as ice. "Your tantrum has wasted everyone’s time. You slandered the champion out of jealousy, but now the truth is clear. And you think you can walk away without an apology?"

"No!" Frank snapped back to his senses, his eyes bloodshot. "I won’t apologize, I won’t! I am the champion!"

Still unwilling to accept defeat, he spun desperately toward Ronald. "Teacher, didn’t you always say my perfume skills ranked among the best in the world? How could I have only scored a 7.9? These judges must have been bribed! I’m the champion, I must be the champion!"

The judges’ faces twisted with open disgust.

Logan gave a soft laugh, raising a brow. "This is Ronald’s student? A boy who can’t admit loss, who still flings accusations even now? Or perhaps it was Ronald who filled him with this delusion. Tell me, Ronald—on what basis were you so certain Frank would be champion? Was it really Selina who cheated... or was it you?"

Ronald’s heart gave a violent jolt.

Because the truth was—he had quietly spoken to a few judges. And those judges had given Frank inflated scores. But in the end... in the end...

No. Frank was beyond saving now. If Ronald clung to him, the boy’s madness would drag him down as well. Better to cut ties before it was too late.

Composing himself, Ronald forced a mask of cold disappointment. "Frank, you’ve let me down."

"You had talent as a child, yes. But look at what you’ve become! Hiding behind your family name and my reputation, throwing your weight around, never once dedicating yourself to the true craft of perfume. And now that you’ve lost, you refuse to face it—you even dared..."

Ronald faltered, as though he couldn’t go on, before forcing a look of pained sincerity onto his face.

"I absolutely did not help Frank cheat. If I had, he’d be standing here as the champion right now instead of losing his mind in front of everyone.

"It’s just... when I teach my students, I always try to give them encouragement. Looking back now, perhaps Frank took my words too literally. Ah... this is my fault. My teaching methods were flawed. Miss Clark, on Frank’s behalf, I apologize to you. I acknowledge that you are the true champion of this competition."

As soon as his words fell, approving murmurs rippled through the crowd.

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