Chapter 106

Lily had never told Alexander that she preferred quiet solitude to the commotion of large groups. She'd assumed someone like Alexander would be surrounded by bustling servants.

She was wrong. Besides the regular cleaner, the house was quiet; he even did the cooking. Though a little deserted, she appreciated the undisturbed atmosphere.

A pot of fruit tea simmered, a few delicate cookies resting on a small saucer beside it. Alexander adamantly kept her out of the kitchen, so she obediently remained seated.

Seven or eight small perfume bottles, all newly launched, sat on the coffee table. After preparing a glass of water, some paper towels, and mint leaves, she sat silently for a moment. Recent troubles, particularly with Nathaniel, made it difficult to calm down; inspiration eluded her.

This couldn't continue. Lily knew that constant exhaustion would eventually drain her creativity. Jenny's work trip offer was a godsend—a chance for fresh air and inspiration.

Lily opened her eyes. The little bottles were undeniably cute. Picking up a pink one, she brought it close. Even without opening it, the scent was overwhelming, almost pungent. She abandoned the idea of uncapping it, placing it back down. These were lesser-known brands, not the famous names. She often found unexpected inspiration in smaller brands, not the established ones. The scent lingered on her fingers, even after she washed and dried her hands. She sat down again, a small notebook ready to record her analysis, thoughts, and ideas. A sense of fulfillment settled over her as she worked.

When Alexander returned, a peculiar scent preceded him. He recoiled, sneezing before he even reached the door.

"You're back!" Lily rushed toward him at the sound of his voice, arms outstretched for a hug. But she hadn't washed the perfume from her hands. As she approached, Alexander's nose twitched; he sneezed repeatedly. Lily stopped, sniffed herself, and exclaimed, "Is the smell suffocating you? I'll wash it right away!" She turned and ran back inside.

Alexander waited at the door to compose himself. He saw Lily wash her hands, then carefully wrap each bottle in tissue before discarding them in the trash, securing the bag tightly. "Were you conducting experiments?" he asked, opening the windows to air out the room.

"Not exactly. I was just researching new products on the market. Hoping to glean some inspiration," Lily replied, waving a hand to dispel the lingering scent.

"And?" Alexander asked, wiping his nose; he felt a cold coming on.

"The only thing I learned is that they're new in appearance but the same old product," Lily shrugged, expressing her disappointment. "Different packaging, same scent."