Chapter 867

Two major headlines dominated the news: Arianna and Noah's public announcement of their relationship, and the media's capture of the couple on an intimate date. When questioned about marriage plans or a potential business arrangement orchestrated by their families, the couple offered a vague response, neither confirming nor denying the possibility. Such a union would be monumental, given Arianna and Noah's existing conflict with Lily. The Tanner family had, after all, been instrumental in pressing charges against Lily for corporate crime.

Simultaneously, the Perfumers' Society announced that Lily lacked the official license to practice her profession. These events, occurring concurrently, strongly suggested a concerted effort to discredit Lily.

Initially, the public's focus was diverted from Lily's licensing issue. However, the media's attention sharpened after Arianna and Noah’s relationship announcement. Sources alleged the couple were collaborating to undermine Lily. Others countered that Lily was the problem, questioning why the Tanner family and the Perfumers' Society would conspire against such an obscure public figure. These counterarguments, however, included the dissemination of false information and the recirculation of an old audio recording, suggesting Lily’s capability to add harmful substances to her perfumes, if she could add medicinal properties. Online and offline debates ensued, though Lily remained unaffected, diligently working on her counterattack. Her new perfume line, progressing alongside Lisa's orders, neared completion; only lab testing remained.

Lily chose silence, allowing the Tanners to dominate the narrative while she awaited the court's final decision. Then, a significant, albeit less sensational, event unfolded. Damian, missing for days, unexpectedly surrendered to the police, confessing to masterminding the corporate crime and instructing Lily to adulterate the Tanner Corporation's new perfume to create addictive fragrances.

Despite his seemingly honest confession and detailed information, inconsistencies emerged. His connection to Lily was limited to a single transaction; he couldn't recall the time or place of their meeting, and the police couldn't locate the perfumer he claimed to have previously consulted. If his story were true, this perfumer's identity would hardly be something to conceal. Furthermore, the abruptness of his surrender raised significant suspicion.

Arianna, already juggling a coup against her uncle and wedding preparations requiring travel between Kingsland and Sapphine City to meet Noah's family, was stunned by the news of Damian's surrender. In a hushed tone, she questioned her informant: "Who found him? Was it the police? Where did they find him? How long was he gone? Did they say where he went? Was he kidnapped?"

The reply was startling: "No, he went to the police station alone, but his whereabouts remain unknown. There was no ransom demand, ruling out kidnapping. He's in custody and has confessed."

"What? He admitted?" Arianna exclaimed, bewildered. "To what exactly?"

"Damian confessed to masterminding the crime and approaching Lily. Since he's admitted everything, we no longer need to worry about him."