Chapter 324

The afternoon sun cast golden rays through the window as Evelyn Carter adjusted her sunglasses.

"Right, the perfume you asked for—is it a new release? I've never heard of it," Harrison Whitaker remarked, his brow furrowing slightly.

As a world-renowned perfumer, he expected his daughter to at least recognize major fragrances.

But Serena Whitaker had never cared much for perfumes.

In her own words, she lacked both the talent and the interest.

Evelyn smiled faintly. "No, it's not new. Quite the opposite—it's so old that it's practically extinct."

"Wait—then isn't that an impossible request for Donovan?"

Serena's eyes widened in disbelief.

Evelyn tilted her head, a sly curve playing on her lips. "Not entirely impossible if he truly puts in the effort. But..."

This particular fragrance was the very first perfume ever created by Celestia Group over a century ago—a symbol of national pride.

It had been encased in an ornate crystal bottle, a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

Now, it existed only in history.

The last two remaining bottles were displayed in a museum in Veridia, guarded like priceless relics.

No amount of wealth could buy them.

Evelyn had always been intrigued by it, yes.

But she knew Donovan Blackwood would never be able to procure it.

The real reason behind her request?

A lesson—that some things were beyond even his vast influence.

She never actually expected to possess Eternal Bloom.

After hearing her explanation, Serena exhaled sharply. "Evelyn, you never cease to amaze me."

"Do you have any idea how powerful Donovan is in Crestview? No one dares to mess with him."

Evelyn shrugged, unfazed. "I'm not messing with him. He offered me a reward. I simply stated my desire. Whether he can fulfill it is up to him."

A beat of silence.

Okay, maybe I am toying with him a little.

But she hadn't forced him to agree.

Serena shook her head. "You may not have forced him, but knowing Donovan, he'll move heaven and earth to get it now. If he fails, it'll be a blow to his pride."

Evelyn hesitated. "That serious?"

"Absolutely. Men like him? Their pride is everything."

Serena's tone left no room for doubt.

Evelyn winced. "I didn't think that far ahead. Next time I see him, I'll tell him I changed my mind."

It would be awkward to backtrack now.

"Hey, remember that impossible perfume? Just kidding—how about cash instead?"

Serena burst into laughter, clapping Evelyn on the shoulder. "When did you become this mischievous?"

Evelyn grinned. "Maybe I've just been hiding it well. Pity you figured it out now."

As they stepped out of the elevator, Evelyn's phone buzzed insistently in her bag.

She pulled it out, glancing at the caller ID.

Adrienne Laurent.

A headache instantly formed.

The moment she answered, Adrienne's voice flooded through.

"Ms. Carter, it's getting late! Where are you? I've been calling and texting—no response! Do you know how worried I've been? At least give me a heads-up next time! Where are you now?"

Evelyn checked her watch.

Late indeed.

"I'm still out, but I'll be back soon," she replied smoothly.

Adrienne exhaled in relief. "Good. Please hurry. It's not safe for a woman to be out alone at night. I'll wait for you at the hotel."

With the competition looming, they still had much to discuss.