Chapter 579

Connaughton Lane in Kingsland was always notoriously lively at night, teeming with bars and patrons from all walks of life. However, few knew of a secluded alley a few miles away, a quieter place with fewer, more specialized establishments. Small shops catering to niche hobbies lined the alley, fostering a community of like-minded individuals. The small crowd, however, meant the alley was generally quiet, with only a few illuminated signboards marking open businesses.

A slender figure appeared at one such storefront, gazing up at a sign: "Underground Perfumery. This is it!" While unknown to most, the Underground Perfumery was a haven for perfumers, a gathering place for fragrance enthusiasts and scent researchers. Open only at night, it offered unique and exclusive perfumes unavailable elsewhere. The shop's peculiarity, however, was its owner's capricious sales—even top perfumers received no special treatment. Though the mysterious figure knew nothing of the proprietor, the peculiar place was worth a visit.

A faint, light and airy scent—pure, like wild figs in the dark of night—tickled her nose as she entered. Inside, the dimly lit shop played classical music, elegant seating scattered amidst a small group conversing quietly. The atmosphere was welcoming, yet the place looked nothing like a typical perfume shop.

"Is this your first time here, miss?" a waiter, clad in simple, ancient-looking attire, greeted her.

"Yeah," Lily replied lightly, assuming regulars were remembered.

"Would you like anything to drink?"

Looking around, Lily casually requested, "Orange juice, please." She'd promised Alexander she wouldn't drink alcohol.

"I'm sorry, but we don't have that," the waiter replied, surprising her. She stared, momentarily stunned. "What about mango juice? Coconut milkshake? Milk?"

The waiter's repeated refusals prompted her to ask, "Then, what do you have?"

"Just water," he replied with a slight smile.

"Just water?"

"We have pure water, mineral water, boiled water, hot water, iced water, warm water—" he continued.

Lily's thoughts drifted to the wood scent from Benedict, created through multiple extractions and distillations. The scarcity of raw materials, coupled with Benedict's claim of giving her everything he possessed, had stalled her own fragrance creation.

"Admit defeat already. What did you even bring? This has no smell at all."

"That's right. I didn't smell anything. I thought it was my nose!"

"Give in already. It's really embarrassing for you to lose this way!" Lily heard the cries in unison.

Turning, she saw a girl surrounded by a crowd, her pale face flushed with the pressure. "You guys don't understand it at all!"