Chapter 455

After returning from the Lodge family's home, Alexander noticed his wife was busier than ever. She buried herself in work at the laboratory daily and continued working at home. After a few days, Alexander finally asked, "What have you been doing, Lily?" Since arriving home, Lily had been absentmindedly eating and eager to return to her workspace. At her request a few days earlier, Alexander had vacated a back room for Lily's projects. Now, he wondered if it had been a mistake.

"Home is home," he thought. "Why does Lily have to work when she's at home? Does she have to bring all her work home every day?"

"I'm working on a new product!" Lily replied, unconcerned. She was busy, but it was normal for her.

"Is this about the Southbank soap? I can get someone to help you if it's too much. Maybe we can reconsider the collaboration. You don't need to tire yourself out like this," Alexander said, upset by the dark circles under her eyes.

He had inquired; there were no new company projects, and other perfumers handled Rebirth's smaller projects. Lily's only focus should have been the Southbank soap; her current workload was unexpected.

"Southbank soap?" Lily was startled. "Oh no, that's not it."

"What? What else could it be?" Alexander was surprised. "Does Rebirth have another project for you?" He mused, Looks like I have to speak to George. He didn't even report a new project to me.

"No, it's not that." Seeing Alexander's expression, Lily realized she'd neglected him. She stopped working and explained, "Actually, I'm making an essential oil for my grandfather."

Alexander was startled. "Your grandfather?"

His initial reaction—why would an older gentleman need perfume—was quickly replaced by understanding upon hearing "essential oil." "For aromatherapy?" he asked. "To help him sleep?"

He recalled Wilfred's insomnia from his last visit to the Lodges. Sleep problems were common among the elderly. He hadn't expected Lily to become so immersed in this.

"Yeah," Lily nodded. "I want to make a customized aromatherapy oil for him to help him relax and sleep easily."

The idea was good, but… Alexander pondered. "As far as I know, there are similar products on the market—lavender oil, sandalwood oil, and so on. Do you need to…" He trailed off, his meaning clear.

Why develop a new product when ready-made ones existed?

Lily understood, but wasn't angry. "There are many products, some effective. I talked to Justin. My grandfather refused to see a doctor, so these products were used secretly at home, but with little effect. He was unhappy when he discovered it and asked everyone to stop. So I wondered if making my own would be better."

"If you made it yourself, your grandfather won't refuse to use it," Alexander said, nodding in understanding.