Once Lorna and Allison finished their work, Kellan handed Allison a tissue.
âThank you for your hard work, Miss Clarke,â he said, acknowledging the patience it took to handle a child.
Even the slightest improvement seemed like a glimmer of hope.
Allison accepted the handkerchief and wiped the sweat from her brow.
Noticing the logo, she joked, âItâs a limited edition, right? You have to have some serious connections to get your hands on one.
If I recall correctly, itâs valued at around three thousand.
â
Kellan raised his eyebrows in surprise.
âYou have a good eye, Miss Clarke.
You seem to know a thing or two about these treasures.
â
âI just discovered it on the Internet,â Allison replied nonchalantly, then added with a playful smile, âBut it seems youâve been hiding your indulgences, Mr.
Lloyd.
â
Kellan shrugged.
âIt was a gift from a business deal.
Nothing to get too excited about.
â
Their playful banter brought them a little closer, and Kellan found himself intrigued by Allison.
After the lesson, he escorted her out, giving the old butler instructions along the way.
âLorna has spent a good part of the day sculpting.
Make sure someone brings her something to snack on.
She is very active and gets hungry quickly.
â
As Allison walked down the stairs, she looked around the villa.
It was one of the private residences on the Lloyd estate, hidden behind a forest and designed to reflect the tastes of its owner.
The place exuded a cozy charm, filled with personal touches.
A tall glass case displayed a variety of perfumes, including rare and out-of-print gems from renowned perfumers, denoting a deep appreciation for the craft.
Overhearing Kellan's conversation with the butler, Allison couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
The world painted Kellan as a ruthless figure, but here he was, showing a surprising level of care for a child.
"Mr.
Lloyd, you don't need to accompany me any further," Allison said politely, turning to him.
"I can find my way out.
"
But as she turned, her gaze caught something: a necklace Kellan was wearing.
He was dressed casually in a simple white shirt, the top button undone, revealing a necklace.
The necklace was barely visible.
The design â two intertwined snakes â looked eerily similar to a snake bracelet her mother had once worn.
It seemed to be from the same collection.
âIâm not just here to say goodbye, Miss Clarke.
Thereâs another matter Iâd like to discuss,â Kellan said, oblivious to her subtle remark.
He spoke deliberately.
âFor years, I have struggled with incessant headaches.
I have visited countless doctors, but no one knows what the cause is.
â
Her tone changed slightly as she continued, âThe strange thing is that the only relief I find comes from your perfume.
The one you handcraft.
It helps me relax at night and improves my sleep.
Iâve been searching for Scarlet Snake for centuries, and I never expected to find the perfumer right in front of me.
â
Kellan chuckled to himself, remembering their first meeting, when Allison had kept a straight face while bluffing.
He had detected the scent of perfume and thought it might lead him somewhere.
Who would have guessed that the creator was right there, leading him down such a twisted path?
âWho knew you had such a gift for spotting talent, Mr.
Lloyd?â Allison mocked with a light laugh.
âMost people choose their perfumes based on the brand, but you choose them based on the artist.
â She hadnât anticipated such a turn of events, but knowing that her perfume could ease someoneâs pain was gratifying.
I didn't know if it was the formula or the technique that made the difference.
âIâm really interested in inviting you to join the Charisma Company,â Kellan said, his gaze steady.
âWith your skills, we could elevate the brand to new heights.
Naturally, Iâd be more than willing to pay handsomely for the perfumes you create.
â
The proposed collaboration was more than appealing.
Charisma Company had already skyrocketed in the market, bolstered by Kellanâs media exposure and influence.
Investors flocked to it, driving up the companyâs stock.
If Allison came on board, it would be beneficial for both parties.
But for Kellan, her presence was even more important.
âMr.
Lloyd,â Allison laughed softly, her tone light but playful, âwe have crossed paths many times and I would like to think we are friends.
If my perfume can help you with your migraines, that is wonderful news for me as a perfumer.
How could I charge a friend for it?â
He added a mocking tone to his voice and pointed to the necklace around her neck.
«Besides, why complicate things? I admire your necklace, it's very pretty.
Why don't you give it to me as payment?»
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