Chapter 16
The next evening, Grace made her way downstairs, dressed and rady for the day
Kate pretečher warmly “Grace, come have berskinn“
The cast a glance at Nydia, who had pura la of effort into her appearance, “Do you have any plans, Nydia?”
wasthat from Nydia’s outfit thủm the wasn’t headed to school
Kane glanced an Grayson, and he spoke up, “When you head over to the Jensen residence, take Nydia along too ft’ll be a good opprtunity for her to learn how to make perfume, and maybe
you can teach he
The idea of Grace reaching Nydia how to make perfume was just a comm. The real huur was that Kate didn’t want Grace to gain the upper hand in marrying into the jersen family.
Those two hadalways played a quiri peme of strategy behind the scenes.
Grace didn’t hesitate to appen, replying chersfully, “Sure, sounds good
After hueaktan, the car from the Jensen family anived to pick her up. Nydia, in her high heels, swiftly brushed past race and put into the car first. Grace wi
Whether it was tratasting en making perfume, the Jensen family was simply assessing who would make the better match for Zane.
Grace wasn’t bothered by t
This
Ever since Nyda win brought into the Harper family at seven, she had hent in comfort and indulgence. Unlike kate, she lacked the rack for scheming Although Nydia was rather useless, Grace still needed that stepping stone.
The car finally reached the Jemen residence.
The Jemen residence, much like the wedding home Serena once envisioned, exuded a timeless elegance with its vintage charm, The Jensen residence hall stood for over a hundred years.
the interior had been mademized, much of the structure still reflected the architectural style of a century apo
The gardens were built alongside the water, with a large pond and thick toes. The stone pathways, window frames, and long corridors were all meticulously designed.
All year round, every hour of the day, each petal and leat, every shift of light and shadow painted a new scene across the resides
That was the allure of classic heritage–quietly refined, steeped in history, and full of soul it stood in sharp contrast to those who blindly chased flashy Solms–style modern builds, all glitz and no soul.
hyda was dressed in an intricate haute couture gown, he heels clicking softly with each step. She carried arms bag made from care creeather, raking in the
accounding with a subtle air of superiory.
She mumeed under her breath, “Living in a house like this don’t they get scared on stormy day?”
Grace glanced at the maid guiding them and responded, “The riverside town of Wide was at its most breathtaking in the rain is clung to the trees, and very reflection in the wai Jellike a brushstroke from a painting”
Nydia ineered. “To me, it’s just an old celic. Modern, Solmere–style buildings are much more alegant and fashionable.
Soon they arrived at the perfume studio.
A soon as Grace stepped inside, a rich sudaroma hit her senses. It was deep, almost velvety, with a lingering sweetness that could only belong to one thing
Her eyes swept the room and landed on a pair of intricate pradome diffusers carved from dark wood, nestled prominently on the shelf.
tjydia peached out, rady to touch them. “The chunks of wood look so dill. it would’ve made more sense if they were gemstones or something flashy,”
Grate barely held back a scott. She knew exactly which collection that handbag came from and how can it was but when it came to culural depth, Nydia was clueles
Grace spackly caught her wrist to stop her. “That’s not just wood. It’s a rare variety of agarwood–what perfumers call Kyara. Just a few ounces can be worth millions. This pale looks like it
migha ove! 50 pounds. They’re easily more valuable than any gemstone.”
Nydia’s eyes went wide. “Are you serious? You’re telling me this pair of perfume diffusers is worth
deduce Grate could reply, a warm, mellow voice chimed in, “Grace, you’ve got an eye for quality Most young people today wouldn’t even recognize Kyara, let alone different it from ordinary and
Camelia mtepped into the room with a false
home, she kept her style elased–today she wore a flowing slip dress in slate bloe, minimal makeup, and no pestuma. Grace matched her energy portebly. She wore a custom cream food vintage dress, her hair swept into a loose twit secured by a minimalist clip. She exuded quiet sophistication, polished
- Niglast grade of oud, formed under rate natur
trare natural conditions. It all concentr
its all concentration is significantly (her than regular agarwood, which gives the extracted
“In perfumery, it unfolds beautifully through the top, heart, and Lase notes–ach Layer odering a nuanced shift in scent. My mother taught me how to identity it back when she was
bycia mondtaire baffled, uning no idea what top notes of heart notes meant. She had only tagged along because she thought Grace was bluftag.
how aluminalized town hade 1 lken pretending at all. She grouinely knew her craft, and Nydia had walked right into it
Castelu looked at Grace, admiration gloring
Cught all guard, Hydia städte
mut mother tabed you well. Shure you understand Bagance, I’d love your opinion. My inser
My huenda and I have been obsessed with a
Blinaom Yeal. Eve fried recreating it a few times, but saanething’s missing. Would you mind taking a luak?”
“Curisty i gied, but the tapiser parte pri
slurp, decisive tone she used at wish This goother demeanor often appealed to the atome urado. Not wanting to be left out, Nydka quickly tallowend..
sharad to bum: Takj. Mydia, are you experienced with perfume crafting?”
taxoverpowering. It will get the motes in the
a mere sign of immanentry-
that, the cloned that doo, nó giving Nydia another thought.
Canindia only had ine and a god mariage urjan’t just about stat It was about character. The plight, Grace lud considered Nydia’s behavior a m
- given a Lingle ature experience, Nydia workdenentually lean tocarry berselt with more grace
thandete to learn. It was hand to take her uniously.
Inside the studio, fixare moved with ralin preclaim, has condidence and depth of knowledge warning Camelia’s admiration. The mesent star unmolded the metal perfume blend,.
Chapter M
Grace strifed rinsing her hands. “Now it just needs to day proper to lock in the base notes”
She glanced at the time. “It’s getting late, Mrs. Jensen. I should probably head home”
oh I didn’t come prepared for that”
Camelia’s smile deepened. “Don’t worry, Mr. Jensen Senior’s here too. You’ll meet him eventually, anyway.”
That datement wasn’t casual—it was a clear signal of approval.
There have a big farally, but not everyone lives here. Today, it’s
s just Mr. Jensan Senior. Adrian and his family live elsewhere, and the kids are all away at school or work. “Zane was going on a blind date with a young woman from the Langford family tonight, so it’s just us. No need to teal awloward”
The mention of Zane going on a date hit Grace unexpectedly hard. Her chest tightened
She wasn’t interested in marrying Zane.
a stroll. Feel free to wander around. The maids can show you the way. I’ll by reworking that blend using your method”
There’s still some time. Our garden’s worth a str
“Alright“Grace nodded.
the was used to being alone, so she politely declined the maid’s offer to accompany her. She walked past the covered porch, over the small stone bridges, and fed the koi in the ponit Eventually, she stopped near a serene water garden.
would bring them
Harper residence once had a beautiful pond like this, where, during her childhood summers, she would sit on a boat, picking wildflowers and enjoying the calm. She wo backtothe leeches and have Serena marbles with the wildflowers.
her the house had beenovated, the pond was cleared and turned into a swan lake.
That plate no longer held any familiar feeling. It was the Jensen residence that we her an old sense of familiarity.
Ar the edge of the water garden, there was a traditional wooden boat. Grace kicked off her high heels and walked barefoot
The wildflowers were in full bloom, and as she leaned over to pluck one, a deep voice echoed beside her. “Who’s this flower thief?”
The boat had curtaim, and she didn’t realize anyone was inside. Startled by the voice, Grace lost her balance on the swaying boat, and her body lurched toward the water
“Ah!” she cried out, but before she could fall, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back
In the chans of the moment, she found herself in the man’s arms, feeling the warmth of his embrace. “Mi Harper, H’s Leen a while, he murmured, his voice low and inviting
