Chapter 366

"Thank you," Lily replied politely. "However, I have some reservations about your earlier remarks."

Changing the subject, he continued, "When you said the brand didn't affect you, did you truly mean that, or was it a rhetorical statement because you couldn't distinguish the differences?" Without waiting for her reply, he added, "Regardless, your answer sheet was more accurate than the others. You're still number one." He'd held back from asking this aloud earlier.

"Honestly, we're in the same boat," Lily said calmly, not seeming offended. "I disagree with your question; it's paradoxical."

Wesley, however, seemed slightly insulted, raising an eyebrow. He clearly didn't take her words seriously, dismissing them as a cover-up for her mistake. He was unhappy with the competition results. He'd intended for one of his disciples to win, but they hadn't performed as well as expected. Despite Lily's first-place win, his prejudice was strong; he didn't believe she had potential in the industry.

"Was your question intended to make us focus solely on the product, irrespective of brand or other external factors?" she asked.

Wesley paused, then nodded slightly. He couldn't deny that was his intention.

"A perfumer should prioritize the perfume's inherent value," he said. "People often overemphasize brand names. A renowned brand can inflate a scent's price. Newcomers struggle to break into the industry." He felt this mindset needed changing; brands shouldn't hold such sway.

"Yet, you labeled the bottle with your name while telling us to ignore the perfumer," Lily pointed out. "You're emphasizing brand reputation while instructing us to disregard brands. Isn't that contradictory?"

Wesley shook his head, surprised.

"You wouldn't have noticed this if you'd only focused on the fragrance. But you did notice, didn't you?"

He reluctantly admitted it was true.

Lily laughed. "That's not the point. The perfumer shouldn't influence the perfume itself, but that doesn't mean I disregard the creator. Product and creator are inseparable. We perfumers create unique fragrances, but the perfumer's personal touch is what ultimately names the scent."

Initially, Wesley disagreed and wanted to object. But as she continued, he straightened, nodding slightly. His perspective of her shifted. Looking at her with renewed interest, he said, "You're quite eloquent. Can you guess who created this perfume?"