Chapter 267

"I need to use the washroom," Lily said, hoping to escape, but Alexander wouldn't let her go so easily. He tightened his arms around her, hugging her tightly. "No, repeat the first thing you said. Then you can go."

"I really need to use the washroom!" she said, though she regretted the earlier slip and was embarrassed to repeat it.

"You should hurry up and say it if you really need to go. It's just one sentence," Alexander said, moving closer until their noses touched. Staring into her eyes, he added in a loving tone, "Repeat it, my love."

Lily blushed crimson. Her heart pounded. Unable to bear it any longer, she pushed him away, sitting up straight and placing her hands on her hips. "I said, 'my husband'! Is there anything wrong with that?!" Though she sounded threatening, she was intensely nervous. Her face was as red as the evening dusk.

"No, it's nothing. I'm proud you have such a husband," Alexander grinned, nodding happily.

Lily remained silent for a moment before stepping onto the floor and declaring, "I'm going to the washroom!" She paused a few steps later. "Oh, right!"

"Yes?"

"Do you know Frank?" Lily asked, thinking Alexander, with his extensive network, might.

Alexander shook his head thoughtfully. "No, I don't. I've never heard of a Frank. Why? Who is he?" Lily hadn't expected him to be unfamiliar with him. "It's nothing. Just a casual question. He's a perfumer, too. I didn't expect you to know him; you're not from our circle."

Watching her leave for the washroom, Alexander pondered her words. Something felt amiss. He felt excluded by her comment about him not being "from their circle."

He glanced around and noticed two new, smiling, wood-carved dolls. They were pleasing to the eye. He picked one up, noticing a faint, pleasant scent of sandalwood.

When Lily returned, she saw him holding the dolls and said proudly, "Do you like them? I have good taste, don't I?"

"They're quite good. A boy and a girl," Alexander nodded seriously.

"Yup! I noticed the detail, the facial expressions. The wood is unusual, too. I found them in a gift shop today. The wood's scent was unique, different from ordinary fragrances. I want to see if it has commercial potential," Lily said enthusiastically, oblivious to Alexander's shifting focus.

"Yes, they're perfect!" Alexander examined the dolls, then turned to Lily, who was still talking. "Why didn't you tell me you had this idea?"

"M-my what?" Lily stammered, thinking he meant extracting the wood's essential oil. "That's right. I just thought of it this afternoon. It's just an initial idea; I haven't figured out how to do it yet."

As soon as she finished, Alexander grabbed her wrist, pulling her close. "It's elementary! You can do it now!" He leaned in to kiss her. Lily stopped him. "What are you doing?!"

"Putting it into action!" he declared, as if it were inevitable. "Since you thought of it, we should do it. We might not conceive twins, but we can take it slowly. Regardless, we need to put in the effort!"