Chapter 1290

Back then, at the research institute's entrance, he'd vehemently opposed her participation, ordering her withdrawal from the project. Now, outside her studio, he claimed it was all a coincidence. She found his explanation unbelievable.

"If I said I was just passing by, would you believe me?"

Lily offered a dry laugh, her silence punctuated by a disconcerting smile. He felt a chill. 'Weirdo!' he thought. He was just passing by. Why was she staring, implying he was making excuses?

This thought bolstered his confidence. Puffing out his chest, he pointed at her car. "Is this yours?"

"So what if it is, and so what if it isn't?" she replied.

Austin felt at a loss. Finally, he blurted, "So, it was you at my second granduncle's house the other day?"

"Your second granduncle?" Lily raised an eyebrow, a knowing look on her face.

"Mr. Dominic Fike," Austin stated, his curiosity piqued.

"Oh, Dominic Fike is your second granduncle," Lily nodded, feigning comprehension.

Suddenly proud, Austin boasted, "Of course! Do you understand now why I advised you to withdraw from the project? It's not just empty words. I come from a family of doctors. My family has studied medicinal herbs for generations. How can someone like you understand their profoundness? Your commercial fragrances are nothing compared to the life-saving power of medicinal herbs; yours are for children."

His disdain for the perfumery industry was evident. He considered those products frivolous, mere distractions for women. How could they compare to the life-saving work of his family? The inherent scent of medicinal herbs, bitter or sour, should never be masked by commercial fragrances.

He didn't bother concealing his contempt; he saw nothing wrong with his words.

Lily sneered. "A long line of medicinal herb practitioners? As far as I know, Mr. Dominic began independently. Before him, the Fike family had no history of practicing medicine, general practitioner or herbalist."

"You..." Austin was surprised by her knowledge. He squinted. "What's your relationship with my granduncle?"

Her faint smile remained her only response, agitating him. Finally, he blurted, "Could it be that you..."

Lily raised an eyebrow expectantly.

"...that you know who my granduncle's secret apprentice is?!"

The thought that she might be Dominic's secret apprentice crossed his mind, then vanished. Impossible! Though Dominic had never mentioned it, Austin refused to believe his secret apprentice could be a woman. How much could a woman learn? Even if she did, Dominic, someone so critical, wouldn't choose a woman. All his previous apprentices were men.

Reassured, Austin concluded she wasn't the apprentice; they simply knew each other, explaining Dominic's different attitude towards her.

Lily remained silent. His guess was close, yet so far. She simply chuckled.

"Wait, am I right? You know my granduncle's apprentice? Who is he? How do you know him?" Austin had always been curious about this mysterious person who held his granduncle's attention – a person Dominic wouldn't even let be his grandnephew.