Chapter 709

"How is it?" someone impatiently asked when Lily didn't move.

The perfumer looked at Lily, confused, then sniffed the test strip again. He didn't answer, but instead dipped a tissue in clean water and wiped his nose. He repeated this with the second bottle.

His reaction intrigued the crowd, who craned their necks to watch. He set down the test strip and looked at Lily, a surprised expression on his face. "How did you do this?"

"Continuous trial and error," Lily replied.

"Impossible! I've tried many times without success. You said you only prepared these two bottles after returning to Brown City—that's even more impossible!" He stared at the bottles in disbelief.

"It would be impossible if I'd only just started the experiment in Brown City. But I'd already done extensive prior testing, so I knew the formula, ingredients, and quantities by heart. I just needed the company to prepare the materials and my assistant to mix them. That's why it was relatively quick."

Lily then addressed the others. "Still, I apologize for the delay. I underestimated the traffic and arrived late." She bowed deeply, conveying her sincerity.

Many in the media had a significant change of heart. Previously, they'd considered Lily unworthy of Alexander, lacking in both courage and intelligence. But here she stood, dignified and composed. Coupled with the two exceptional perfume bottles—creations beyond the abilities of most perfumers—her novel ideas and perfectly balanced formulas were undeniable.

Seeing the perfumer still standing before her, Lily said, "Sir, you may return to your seat."

He remained motionless, seemingly dazed.

"Sir?"

Alexander frowned, about to signal a staff member to escort the man away, when the perfumer abruptly stepped forward. Staring intently at Lily, he asked, "Do you accept students?" Lily was stunned. "Excuse me?"

"Do you accept students? Can I be your student? I'll even work as an assistant—anything! Just let me learn from you. I want to know how you did this, what I did wrong, where I failed!" His emotional outburst nearly caused him to leap at Lily.

Startled, Lily instinctively took a step back. Before the perfumer could move closer, staff intervened, quickly restraining him to prevent any escalation.

"Ms. Christian, I'm serious! Please accept me as your student! I want to learn from you!" The perfumer continued shouting as he was led away, defusing the tension, albeit somewhat awkwardly.

Lily hadn't anticipated this turn of events, but felt relieved once the perfumer was removed.

By this point, all doubt had vanished. Everyone had gained something—new raw materials, fragrances, and a fresh perspective. "Thank you all for coming. Tonight's press conference is concluded."