Chapter 773

That evening, after packing her things and leaving her office, Lily saw Alexander's car outside.

"Didn't I tell you not to pick me up?" she sighed in defeat. She had driven herself, but since he was there, her car remained in the parking lot.

"I wasn't busy today," he replied, leaning against the car door. The setting sun illuminated him, outlining his silhouette in gold; he seemed to glow.

He opened the passenger door as she approached, helped her inside, then went around to the driver's side.

"Edward's not here again?" Lily had noticed Edward's recent absence and Alexander's increased presence.

"Isn't it better to spend our time privately?" he said, fastening his seat belt. "Besides, we should give him time with Olivia, shouldn't we?" Lily smiled at the thought of Edward and Olivia together.

"Right. I never would have thought they'd end up together. They're so different! Edward's so proper, and Olivia's so talkative." The idea amused her.

"How about us, then?" he glanced at her, smiling.

He didn't wait for her answer, concentrating on driving. The ride was smooth, and after a long workday, Lily unknowingly fell asleep against the window. She awoke to him asking,

"I heard Noah was here today."

"Hmm?" She jolted awake, regaining her composure.

"He came and left a while ago."

"He gave you trouble?" Alexander asked, his eyes on the road.

"Well, not exactly," Lily said, shaking her head. Noah had only tried to intimidate her. She suspected the license issue was a pretext for the Perfumers' Society to warn her. As a mere perfumer, she had dared to refuse their invitation and even oppose them—something they clearly wouldn't tolerate.

"Although the Richards family is powerful in Kingsland, their influence is useless here in Brown City. If you don't want that license, don't take the exam. Those old fools in the society are too comfortable in their positions and have nothing better to do. They invented those worthless licenses to stay relevant. Do you think anyone cares?" Alexander snapped impatiently.

"Hahaha!" Lily laughed.

"Why are you laughing?" He turned to look at her. "Am I not right?"

"It's not that. It's just that I never expected you to be so…unpolished." She paused. "When Noah came, Lisa was there too. She said the same thing." Lily was surprised by their similarity.

"Really?" Alexander smiled. "Looks like she has quite a way with words, too." This reminded him of something else. "Didn't you say she asked you to custom-make a perfume? Did you agree?"

"I did!" she nodded. "I need to settle a few things before I start."

"What is it?" he asked.

"Just some minor issues," she replied.

Instead of driving back to Imperial Hills, they arrived at one of Brown City's largest shopping malls. Lily hadn't noticed; she'd been nearly asleep, then engrossed in conversation with Alexander.

"Do you have another event to attend?" Lily asked.