Chapter 854

"Hello?"

"It's me, Noah."

"Mr. Richards. What's the matter?" Lily asked monotonously.

"Why ask when you know why I'm calling? Were you responsible for those posts about the Perfumers' Society?" Noah's tone was direct.

Lily smiled. "Are you questioning me? In what capacity? As vice president of the Perfumers' Society?"

"My status is irrelevant. You dared to do it, but dare not admit it?" Noah moved the phone slightly, activating the recording function.

"Did I refuse to admit it, or deny doing it?"

Lily chuckled. "I also read those internet posts. The content is surprising, and I'm curious. So, Mr. Richards, are the claims true? As vice president, you should know best, right?"

"Of course it's all fake!" Noah replied instantly. He couldn't possibly admit anything, especially with the conversation being recorded.

"Obviously, someone fabricated this nonsense maliciously. You hired someone to create and post it. Am I right, Lily?"

"Mr. Richards, I don't know if it was fabricated, but I assure you, I didn't do it. I'm just as curious as other netizens. Even I want to know if Mr. Adler truly lost his sense of smell."

A wave of nausea washed over Noah. He felt suffocated.

Click.

The line went dead. A tightness constricted Noah's chest. He hadn't fooled Lily. The recording was pointless.

Lily checked the time, then went to the experimental equipment to monitor the distillation and separation of raw materials, meticulously recording the changes in form and data. Her experiments continued. The perfume's development had been delayed by the police investigation. Alexander's bail meant she didn't need to remain at the station, but she still had to be available for questioning. The police investigation had stalled; no further evidence or witnesses emerged. The case remained open, despite their considerable efforts. Fortunately, Tanner Corporation had ceased applying pressure. Whether the perfume issue was an internal problem or external sabotage remained unresolved, a contentious debate with no easy answers. Tanner Corporation withdrew its perfumes, suffering significant losses and issuing a public apology and substantial compensation.

Lily had sold countless perfumes over the years without incident. Only Tanner Corporation's perfumes were defective. The connection to Lily, if any, was tenuous, and the impact on her was minimal. Having left La Beauté Group, the controversy didn't affect the company or Rebirth. She had no new orders. The turmoil barely touched her.

"I'm pleased you resigned. A wise decision!" Olivia said, removing her mask as she washed her hands. "Otherwise, the company would be under immense pressure, and that would affect you. You wouldn't have this freedom."

Lily's own studio offered independence, demanding hard work but granting her autonomy. She no longer needed to consider others' opinions, enjoying a higher degree of freedom.

"More like you're glad you've resigned and have more freedom, right?" Lily teased Olivia, emphasizing "you've." It was a joke, but also the truth. Olivia did enjoy greater freedom, and the ability to continue working with…