Chapter 149

The nursery supervisor hadn’t exaggerated—the place was massive.

After wandering around all morning, Evelyn and Victoria had barely covered a third of the grounds, their legs already aching.

“Let’s wrap this up soon,” Victoria said, brushing her hands together, her forehead glistening with sweat. “We’ll have them send us samples of everything. Once we compare them, we’ll finalize our choices. That’ll be it.”

The temperature had climbed sharply since morning. Even after shedding their cardigans, the heat was stifling.

Evelyn shook her head. “I want to explore a little longer.”

Victoria blinked. “What for? We’ve seen enough. This place is enormous—we could spend days here and still miss things.” She sighed. “Tell me what you’re looking for. I’ll arrange for someone to drive us directly.”

Walking any further would be exhausting.

“It’s fine,” Evelyn insisted. “I just want to see if I can find something unexpected.”

Victoria frowned. “The office already has samples of every flower here. It’s not like you’ll discover anything new.”

But Evelyn wasn’t budging.

With a reluctant sigh, Victoria relented. “Alright, fine. I’ll come with you.”

She wasn’t wrong—most perfumers worked from samples. They’d review the options, make their selections, and the nursery would handle the rest. Few would ever trek through the fields themselves.

“Thanks, Vic.” Evelyn felt a twinge of guilt but pressed on.

Because what she sought wasn’t just flowers.

Nature was abundant—flowers, grasses, trees, even certain nts. Any of them could hold the key to a new fragrance, overlooked unless someone searched in person.

Lately, Evelyn had been chasing an idea—one she couldn’t quite articulate. Maybe here, she’d find the missing piece.

Perfumers drew from their emotions, but translating those feelings into scent wasn’t easy. She had to see for herself.

The bed was empty.

For a moment, it felt like waking from a dream.

Gritting her teeth, Evelyn inhaled deeply before shifting to the edge of the mattress. She eased her legs down, toes curling into the plush slippers—

Just as the bathroom door clicked open.

Lucien stepped out, a towel slung low around his hips, water droplets clinging to his skin.

Evelyn gasped.

Her pulse spiked, her gaze darting anywhere but at him.

When he strode toward her, instinct screamed at her to flee—but where could she go?

In seconds, he was there, caging her between his arms as he leaned down.

His fingers tilted her chin up.

“Morning, darling.”