Chapter 577

Before Eloise could speak, Arianna smiled. "It's just a fleeting thought, Mom. Wouldn't it be wonderful if it happened?"

Eloise looked at Arianna, remaining silent for a moment before replying, "Y-Yeah." Although Eloise often entertained sinister thoughts, she would never act on them, regardless of past attempts. She lacked the courage to kill. However, she wondered if Arianna's comment was unintentional, or could it be… something more? Seeing Arianna's head lowered, innocently enjoying her dessert, Eloise dismissed her worries as overthinking.

The Perfumers' Society, while not widely known, held considerable prestige within the perfumery industry. Members boasted numerous awards. Naturally, these perfumers were not young, so Lily was surprised by their invitation. She was relatively new to the industry and lacked extensive qualifications. Nevertheless, she viewed it as a valuable learning experience.

Arriving in Kingsland, Lily was surprised to find the Perfumers' Society had sent a car. The chauffeur delivered her to a house with a small courtyard—a space whose value likely surpassed any high-rise building in the city, given Kingsland's precious land. 'I never knew the Perfumers' Society was so lavish,' Lily mused, having never heard such extravagance mentioned.

The courtyard overflowed with flowers, meticulously cared for. Yet, Lily seemed to be the sole occupant. She wondered if other participants were delayed, or if the committee had provided each with a similar private residence. If so, the Perfumers' Society must be incredibly wealthy.

"You may rest, Ms. Christian. We'll leave now," said the man who helped with her luggage.

"Wait," Lily called, needing clarification. "Am I the only one here? How far is the hall? And how can I contact you?"

"There's a box on the table in your room. You'll understand when you see it." He left.

Though Lily sensed something unusual about this trip, her only recourse was to investigate. She entered the room. On the table sat a wooden box. After a quick inspection, she opened it. Inside were several vials and an envelope. The letter was addressed to her.

"Dear Ms. Christian, I trust you are well. You're likely wondering why you're here instead of a hotel. We perfumers avoid such…unrefined establishments. While the yard is small, it's filled with natural fragrances. I believe you've already guessed: this is your first test. Create at least two unique scents within a week; nothing currently on the market. The necessary equipment is provided.

Failure means we won't meet, and your application will be rejected. Success, and I'll greet you personally. Of course, you may refuse and leave; however, note that this opportunity will not be available again…"

The letter ended abruptly. Lily had no idea if this was standard procedure or something more.