Chapter 405

"You want to start over?" Lily asked, looking at Nathaniel as if he were a joke.

Nathaniel, believing Lily was receptive to reconciliation, continued his charade. "I know I made many mistakes in the past. I never appreciated you, and it was all my fault. I promise to make it up to you if you give me a chance!"

The more Lily listened, the more ridiculous his words became. Shifting in her seat to get a better look at him, she said, "Let me hear it, then. How are you planning to make it up to me? What could you possibly give me that I don't already have?"

Nathaniel remained oblivious to her mockery. He thought she was tempted to take him back, so he pressed on. "If you're willing to return to me and MN Inc., I'll listen to everything you say. I'll use all my connections and everything I can to make you the best perfumer in the country and abroad!"

"Didn't you say I wasn't good enough and shouldn't embarrass myself in public to avoid being a target if I made mistakes?" Lily drawled, tapping the table continuously, reminding him of his past criticisms.

"I—" Nathaniel stammered.

"You also called me inexperienced," Lily continued, "saying that even if people knew me in Sapphine, it wouldn't mean people would know me in Hyderland, and that I shouldn't even consider international success. So, you're saying I'm suddenly good enough after just a few months?"

Nathaniel attempted to interject, "Lily, L—"

But Lily cut him off. "You also said I should focus on the background, properly researching my perfume formulas, and not care about external factors like fame and fortune. That I should be humble and not blinded by vanity, correct?"

She relentlessly recounted his past criticisms, her words like sharp arrows. Lily wanted to ask him if he felt embarrassed by his contradictory statements.

Nathaniel, however, remained shameless. A slight blush colored his cheeks, but he persisted, "Lily, why don't we let bygones be bygones?"

"You want bygones to be bygones? Do you think we should start fresh just because you want to? Just because you don't want to bring it up? Why should I even listen to you?" Lily moved away from his outstretched hand. "Are you too cowardly to admit those were your words?"

"I'm not denying anything, and I admitted it was all my fault! Aren't I already apologizing? Melanie's lies blinded me in the past, so I apologize for treating you so poorly. Now that I think about it, I realize how terrible I was. You can yell or even hit me, do anything you want, as long as I can ultimately get your forgiveness, please?"

Nathaniel's shamelessness was evident, though Melanie's unkindness was true. His habit of calling her "Mel" further highlighted his hypocrisy; he was conveniently shifting all blame onto her.

"Lily, I regret my past actions. Can't you forgive me? Tell me, then, what more can I do to earn your forgiveness?"

Nathaniel's nervousness grew as Lily's demeanor hardened. He was willing to do anything, but her unwavering stance puzzled him. Had she had a change of heart? Before asking her out to dinner, he'd hired a private investigator to look into her background. However, the investigator had uncovered little private information, especially regarding the Lodge family.

One piece of information, however, filled Nathaniel with apprehension: Lily enjoyed strong support, not from the Lodge family, but from someone within La Beauté Group.