Justin’s answer was not necessary anymore, as his attitude spoke volumes. Lily got back to her room and noticed that Alexander was not there. She had no idea where he had gone, but as he had assured her, they were on the Lodge family's grounds, which were perilous at times but mostly safe. Therefore, she should not worry about him.She had to handle some things urgently, so Lily took out her phone and called Olivia, “Liv, there’s a small candle stick in the safe inside my lab. Could you please send it to the FDA for lab testing?” “Why?” Olivia had not seen Lily in days. She was overjoyed to hear from Lily, but before Olivia could ask how she was doing, Lily made an unexpected request.“I need it urgently. Please help me,” Lily added, “Don’t tell anyone about this. You need to do this personally, and when you have the results, take a photo of it and keep the report safe with you.” “Okay,” Olivia promised though she was still slightly confused. As a perfumer, they were trained to
“Maybe the news hasn’t got out yet,” Lily smacked her lips and added, “Olivia, I need you to be the one to spread this news.”“Spread what…” Oliva hesitated, then asked, “Why do you need me to spread the word? The Lodge family won’t be releasing this news to the public?” This should be something the family had to announce to the public, especially when it was about Wilfred, an important figure in the country. News about him would surely be published in newspapers, and all the prestigious families in the country would attend his funeral. Olivia had nothing to do with the Lodge family. Wasn’t it a bit strange for her to be the one to release the news to the public? “There’s a problem back at home, which is why…I need your help,” Lily clarified as she heard a knock on the door. She turned to look, and in came Alexander, followed by Edward behind him. Alexander had planned to tell her something but saw that she was talking on the phone, so he refrained.Instead, he turned to E
“I know what’s the number,” Alexander came up from behind Lily and held her hand. Then he turned to Edward. “You can go now.”Edward nodded and left, not forgetting to close the door behind him.“Seriously? You’re jealous because of this? I was just trying to help Olivia!” Lily waved her phone in front of Alexander to remind him.“Of course, I know that!” Alexander pinched her nose lightly and pulled her to sit next to him. “So, what did Justin say?”“I think he was worried about something. He didn’t say much, but I’m sure he knows something. I just don’t know why he would allow them to do as they please,” Lily elaborated.Alexander thought for a few seconds before asking, “You’re saying he has given up his position as the head of the family?”“I’m assuming he did it to prevent the family from getting into a feud. However, judging from the current situation, I don’t think that’s working.” Lily had never expected this many problems to arise immediately after her grandfather’s deat
“No, there’s not going to be an ‘or,’” Alexander remarked while waving in disagreement. “They’ll only pin it on Justin.”The elders treated Lily as an outsider to this issue, even though they wanted to form a coup, take over as the family head, and reap the benefits that came with it.However, it would be challenging for the elders to overthrow Justin as the family head if they did not push the cause of Wilfred’s death onto the scented candles he had used, primarily since the family doctor had always overseen Wilfred’s health.“That’s why I want to look for the culprit who sabotaged the scented candles as soon as possible,” Lily said while frowning, “Justin said he, Roger, and I were the only ones who directly came in contact with the scented candles.“However, Roger has been with our family for a long time and has been unwaveringly loyal to Grandpa, so it can’t be him. I don’t understand. How and when did the culprit do this?”Alexander deduced, “The Lodge family’s residence is h
“Something happened within the Lodge family. Do you know about it?” Arianna asked.“You mean that the old man from the Lodge family is dead?” Nathaniel calmly replied as he started to clean up his bottles while studying them closely.“Of course, that’s not all. Have you heard of Henry Lodge?” Arianna sat on Nathaniel’s chair and looked at him. “Since you’re Lily’s ex-boyfriend, you must know a thing or two about the Lodge family, right?”Nathaniel sneered mockingly as the fingers that were fiddling with the incense stopped. Moments later, he continued, acting as if nothing had happened, “If it weren’t for Mother telling me about it, I wouldn’t have known she was from the Lodge family. So, how much do you think I know?”“Huh?” His answer surprised Arianna. “Wow, you were quite a horrible boyfriend then.”“That’s all in the past now!” His downcast eyes showed no emotions. “Why are you here, Ari? I’m sure it’s not just to lecture me.”Arianna drawled while playing with a pen on Nath
“No enmity would last forever in this world, and the same goes for friendships. Look at us now. Aren’t we on the same team?”Arianna did not get the chance to answer before he continued, “Don’t tell me things like blood is thicker than water or we’re helping each other because we’re siblings. Those are bullsh*t excuses that you and I don’t believe in. We can only sit here together to discuss our plan for one reason. We have the same goal in mind, and this plan would benefit both of us. Am I right?”Arianna looked at Nathaniel with a solemn gaze. “You don’t need to look at me that way.” Nathaniel chuckled. “I told you we’re not enemies, at least not now. You’ll always be my dearest younger sister as long as we’re after the same thing. I’ll be your older brother who can assist you too.”Arianna said nothing and just stared at Nathaniel in silence for a moment. Shrugging, she started, “Okay then. You’re right. Let’s talk about the Lodge family now. Since you have such a clear underst
“What does that have to do with anything you’re doing now?” Arianna still could not get it. “You’re not thinking of replicating the exact candle, are you?”There was mockery in her voice. It was a fact that Nathaniel did not know how to create fragrances even after many years in the industry. He would not have to trick Lily if he had the capabilities himself.“I wouldn’t know how to do that.” Nathaniel only smiled in the face of her mockery instead of getting mad. “That doesn’t mean other people won’t know how to do it. Don’t underestimate these candles. Once you add a little something extra in it…”He gestured with his fingers to show her how little the amount had to be used to reach the effect he was talking about. “Just this bit is needed, and then it could kill someone silently.”Arianna felt a chill run down her spine as she looked into his eyes, subconsciously causing her to rub her arms.“Okay. Stop beating around the bush. To clarify, you had someone else make a copy of Li
All these years of knowing Lily, Nathaniel had thought that she was a weakling, but she turned out to be skilled in kickboxing. Back then, all he had brought with him were bodyguards and thugs, who were no match for Lily's training.She had long since abandoned the Lodge household and had not returned for several years. Even though they had been together for a long time, he never once saw her train in kickboxing. Thus, he reasoned that she, a woman, would not be able to do much regardless of her current skill level.With Alexander and La Beauté Group on her side, Lily could do everything she wanted. With control of the Tanner Corporation, Nathaniel may make a comeback using the company’s resources. He hoped Lily would feel terrible about her past actions and break down in his presence.While he was in a trance, Arianna also became lost in her thoughts.‘Nate is right. Although the Lodge family had been a kickboxing family for decades and outsiders still fear them at the mention of