Chapter 115 Chapter 115
Katherine looked up and found João's impeccable jawline and thin lips just inches from hers. He wasn't looking at her; he was calmly answering a technical question from one of her uncles, as if this protective gesture were as natural as breathing. That silent, unintentional display of affection struck Katherine's heart more powerfully than any public declaration. She took the bottle silently and took a sip, feeling the coolness wash over her as João's voice, warm and velvety like the murmur of a stream, filled the space around her.
The banquet continued. João resumed his place beside Katherine, his imposing presence acting as an invisible shield. Emily, now recovered, shot venomous glances at Nísia, but general silence prevailed. Daniel Lutz, a master at damage control, had already classified the incident as a “juvenile setback of innovation,” and everyone accepted the explanation out of politeness.
But for Nísia, the silence was worse than the whip. She ate without tasting anything, her head down and her stomach churning. The mistake had been basic, amateurish... fatal. If the news that she had created a toxic mixture leaked out, her career would die before it began. She clutched her cutlery so tightly that her knuckles were white.
“It wasn't my fault!” she screamed mentally. “I didn't create this formula alone!”
Without Rosana to guide her, panic turned into a desperate impulse for self-preservation. She needed a scapegoat. She clenched her teeth and, against all rules of etiquette, stood up abruptly, the chair dragging with a shrill noise.
“Everyone!” Nísia's sharp, trembling voice silenced the elders' laughter.
Daniel Lutz frowned, shame rising in his throat. “Nísia, sit down now. Just eat and don't interrupt your elders!” he scolded, his voice low and dangerous.
But Nísia looked directly at her father, ignoring his warning. “I'm sorry, Father. I'm sorry, cousin João. I know it's wrong to interrupt, but I believe in taking responsibility for my actions. That's what you taught me, and I decided to be honest about the origin of this perfume.”
Katherine, who until then had been immersed in her own thoughts, felt a touch of coldness run through her gaze. She knew that tone. Nísia was about to strike, and the target was undoubtedly already marked.
Nísia continued in a firm voice, each word calculated to shift the weight of her failure onto her cousin's shoulders:
“Actually, the formula for this perfume wasn't mine, but was given to me by my cousin.”
“What?” exclaimed everyone around the table, their wine glasses frozen in the air in collective shock.
Nísia, feeling that she was regaining lost ground, continued with an expression of false hurt:
"Not long ago, my cousin gave me a book of perfume formulas, telling me to learn from it. And that's what I did. When she gave me the book, she specifically mentioned that I should create a perfume following that formula, saying that it would certainly impress everyone.
I believed her and went ahead.She moistened her lips, feigning a vulnerability she did not possess, and added:"I know I lied before when I said I developed the formula myself, and I apologize for that. But instead of hiding the truth, I didn't want you to misunderstand me. I have been learning to create perfumes with my mother for many years. How could I make such a gross mistake and create a toxic perfume? This time, it was solely because of my cousin's misinformation." Immediately, the atmosphere in the hall changed. The looks of admiration that Katherine had received minutes before turned into expressions of doubt and displeasure. Some elderly masters were already frowning, whispering about the cruelty of playing such a dangerous prank on family.Mr. Arbex's complexion darkened. His previously benevolent gaze was filled with absolute gravity as he directed an unusually stern look at Nísia:“Do you have evidence to support your claim?”Nísia felt a wave of triumph wash over her. She had been foresighted.“This is the manual my cousin gave me,” she said, removing the book from her bag with hands trembling with excitement. “My aunt's name, Josiane Kamikado, is even written in it.”She handed the manuscript to the Master with a solemn gesture. Several people leaned in to look at the yellowed pages.“This does indeed appear to be Josiane's handwriting,” some of the experts confirmed after a brief analysis.Daniel Lutz's face became a mask of stone. His eyes glowed with an ominous light, as if he were piecing together a puzzle of old memories. Nísia watched everything with her heart racing. She knew she was sacrificing her reputation for honesty, but between being called a liar or a poisoner, the choice was obvious. Lying was a character flaw; producing poison was a competence flaw. And she would not allow anyone to doubt her talent.“I'm sorry, cousin,” Nísia turned to Katherine with a look of feigned pity. “I can't be part of this wickedness. Apologize to everyone; I believe your uncle and aunt will forgive you. At least I've already forgiven you.”Katherine calmly raised her eyes, meeting countless pairs of eyes filled with guilt, disappointment, and silent concern. The appearance of the book had drastically cooled the atmosphere. The Master, opening the volume to the marked page, saw exactly the formula that Nísia had used.Anastasia, feeling the net closing in on the young woman she had grown to love, could not contain herself. She stood up, her voice vibrating with indignation:“Uncle and Aunt, you can't just listen to Nísia's one-sided words! Our Kath is not that kind of person. How could she harm others so coldly? Isn't that right, Sasha Meneguel?”Everyone turned simultaneously to Sasha Meneguel, the highest authority present, expecting a technical verdict or an impassioned defense. However, to everyone's utter surprise, Sasha did not seem indignant. On the contrary: she was leaning back in her chair, watching the scene with eyes sparkling with amusement, visibly struggling not to burst out laughing.
The silence that followed was filled only by Nísia's tension and the impenetrable gaze of João Arbex, who remained beside Katherine like a protective shadow.
Sensing the tension hanging over the table, Sasha Meneguel straightened her posture, but a sparkle of amusement still danced in her eyes. She let out a soft sigh, trying to regain the seriousness that the moment demanded.
“I'm sorry, I lost my composure,” said Sasha, with a sincerity that bordered on irony. “It's just that Ms. Oliveira's accusations are so absurd that I couldn't contain my laughter.”
Nísia felt a cold shiver run down her spine. Panic began to creep into her voice as she tried to reaffirm her position.