Chapter 1218

Hearing this, Alexander looked perturbed. "A fat chance is all he's got!" he exclaimed.

Mike and Lily were speechless. Lily palmed her belly, imagining Alexander's adoration for a daughter. He had waited outside the delivery room, expecting a girl, only to be surprised by a son. Yet, he developed a loving relationship with Galen, his energetic firstborn. Thrilled by Lily's subsequent pregnancy with twins, he hoped for at least one daughter. Naturally, he was upset by Mike's attempts to arrange his yet-to-be-born daughter's marriage. Mike could say anything, but mentioning marriage would invariably upset Alexander.

"Can you two stop squabbling?" Lily interjected, smoothly changing the subject. "I learned you're giving my studio an additional order for next quarter. Is demand really that high?"

Mike raised an eyebrow. "You can't handle it?"

"I can," Lily replied, "but I worry you'll be overstocked." Azalea's economy was struggling; her orders from other clients had dwindled, leaving Mike as her sole major client. While grateful for his business, she questioned the sustainability of his high volume.

"Relax," Mike said, half-jokingly, glancing at Alexander. "You don't think I'll fail to pay, do you? I'm just saving for my son's future marriage." Alexander glared. Mike laughed, waving dismissively. "Okay, okay, even if I'm not considering your daughter, he still needs a wife, doesn't he?"

Pleased, Alexander snorted. "The financial crisis' impact is widespread," he mused. "Even with your established business, it's best not to be too high-profile; it might attract trouble."

"I'm not bragging, but I think my business could withstand another eight to ten years," Mike said earnestly, his smile gone. After a pause, he looked at Lily. "You won't be attending the award ceremony, will you?"

He referred to the quinquennial World Perfumery Awards. Lily had received an invitation two months prior and was certain of an award. Assuming her pregnancy would make travel inconvenient, Mike was surprised when she firmly shook her head.

"No, I will," she stated.

"But you..." Mike began, astonished.

"I'll only be seven months pregnant. Why shouldn't I go? It'll be perfect timing." She wasn't missing a once-in-five-years event.

Mike, surprised, turned to Alexander. 'He loves his wife and unborn daughter so dearly. How could he agree to this?'

Alexander shrugged, offering a helpless look. Mike was speechless.