Chapter 413 Fifth Place The one questioning Melanieâs score was none other than Aiden, the participant from Medonia who had created four fragrances with food flavors.
As soon as the audience saw him, they began to whisper among themselves.
Cyrusâs assistant muttered to Melanie, âHeâs just a sore loser! Last time, you publicly defeated him and said his fragrance didnât have good middle and base notes. Now, heâs just seeking revenge. Just ignore him!â
à¼
Although Cyrusâs assistant said that, the organizers decided to display the scorecards given to Melanie by the judges.
After Aiden saw them, he squinted and boldly stepped forward. âLook, everyone! The scores given to her show a clear polarization. Some are very high, while others are very low. Therefore, I question her receiving the second prize!â
Melanie looked at the large screen projecting the scorecards, and blinked.
Aiden wasnât wrong. She didnât understand why someone would give her such low scores.
Seeing her remain silent, Cyrusâs assistant spoke up for her.
âWhat kind of question is that? Itâs just nitpicking! The scorecards are here. Based on the average score, Melanie is fourth, and she rightfully deserves the second prize. Thatâs what fairness and justice mean!â
âIâm just expressing my doubts. Everyone can take a look at my scorecard. All the judgesâ scores fluctuate within a reasonable range. Itâs unlike Melanieâs scores, which are all over the place. Besides, we have freedom of speech. You should understand that,â Aiden said fearlessly, throwing a challenging stare at Cyrusâs assistant.
International competitions respected the freedom of speech of participants. Since someone raised a question, the organizers began to inquire about the opinions of all the judges and whether they were willing to stand by their previous scores.
Cyrusâs assistant felt this was simply absurd. âAiden, is it because you are unsatisfied with getting fifth place and received a third prize that you want to drag down the others ahead of you to secure a second prize? If thatâs the case, why didnât you question Elder Gibson and aim for a first prize?â
âRight! Perfume blending isnât an exam where one has a certain score to meet, where if you fall below it, you fail. Perfume blending is an art, and everyoneâs perception of art is different. How can the scores be the same?â
At this moment, Gabriel also stood up to speak for Melanie.
âEven if it were an exam with a unified score line, it would allow for a certain number of talented individuals. Youâre simply making trouble for no reason!â he added.
âIâm not making trouble!â Aiden protested.
Agitated, he grabbed the microphone and shouted, âMelanieâs fragrance was beside me just now, and I smelled them. I was unconvinced by these two fragrances of hers, so Iâm raising my doubts. Some judges +15 BONOS Melanie understoodâAiden was just causing trouble. He was either seeking revenge or acting on instructions from the main judge, Robert. This probably involved the interests of the York family, and she was undoubtedly being used as a pawn.
In the audience, Joseph and several other staff members of the organizing committee immediately gathered with the judges for a discussion on how to handle the situation.
After more than ten minutes of intense discussion, Joseph said to Melanie, âMelanie, you might as well explain your fragrance concepts again. The explanations on the cards are limited, after all.â
Each participant, when submitting their work, had to include a card detailing the aromatic ingredients used in the top, middle, and base notes. The card also had to contain the perfumerâs concept for the fragrance, providing context for the evaluators.
Melanie pursed her lips and walked to the microphone, her expression calm.
âI believe that if everyone can question the judgesâ scores, then the previous scoring would become a joke.â
âIf the judges decide to reâscore, who will take responsibility for the scores given after the repeated evaluations? If I am dissatisfied with the scores given again, do I also have the right to demand a reevaluation? If this continues in a loop, will the competition ever end?â
Her words were firm, but she stayed within the limits.
âI disagree with a reevaluation, but since Mr. York has made a request, I also respect everyoneâs opinions. So, Iâll explain my thoughts again.â