Chapter 18

“It’s fine, Emily. You’ve been busy for so long. Take these days to rest. Once the vacation. is over, you won’t have any time to relax,” Seraphina said with a half-joking tone.

Seeing Seraphina’s determination, Emily stopped trying to persuade her. “Alright then. You have both of my numbers. I’ve turned off my work phone, so call the other one if you need anything.”

“Sure. Enjoy your time off!”

After hanging up the phone, Seraphina noticed that Dashiell was staring at her intently. She looked down at herself, but couldn’t find anything wrong.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Did you ask Emily to leave because you don’t want her to get involved?” Dashiell directly exposed the truth. Seraphina was briefly taken aback before smiling. “Not exactly.

“Emily has always been my assistant and is familiar with all aspects of my work. Julian is determined to discredit me this time. If they want to bring up past events, they will undoubtedly ask Emily for information. After all, Emily hasn’t left the company yet, and whether she likes it or not, she can’t refuse them. So it’s actually better to keep her away from all of this.”

Seraphina continued eating while speaking.

As expected, the food was exquisite and delicious. Seraphina hadn’t enjoyed such a satisfying meal in a long time. Sitting across from Dashiell, she allowed herself to focus entirely on eating without being self-conscious.

Dashiell gazed at Seraphina with a faint smile, seemingly content just watching her enjoy her food.

“It seems like you already have a plan in mind,” he said.

Dashiell had been somewhat worried before, but upon hearing Seraphina’s explanation, he realized that she had genuinely thought it through instead of acting impulsively.

Seraphina paused, looked at Dashiell, and said, “There’s one more thing I hope you’ll agree to.”

“What is it?” Dashiell seemed to be finished eating. He put down his fork, took a handkerchief, and gently wiped the corners of his mouth.

“I… I want to bring Emily with me to Aroma Delight,” Seraphina said after a moment of III hesitation. “It’s a personal request, but Emily is truly talented. I’m used to working with her. I promise that once I join Aroma Delight, I will achieve great success, or else…” Seraphina even raised her hand as if taking an oath.

“Or else what?” Dashiell interrupted her.

“In six months, I will undoubtedly develop a best-selling perfume that will greatly benefit the company,”

Seraphina confidently declared.

Dashiell smiled and asked, “I remember it only took you three months to develop ‘First Love’. Why would you need half a year once you join us?”

Seraphina slowly retracted her hand and hesitated for a moment. “Actually…”

“Hmm?”

“Actually, ‘First Love’ has its flaws,” Seraphina admitted.

“Oh, really?”

“You know that creating a good perfume takes time from initial inspiration to practice and repeated adjustments. Three months was really rushed. But I had no choice.”

Seraphina shrugged and continued, “Julian wanted to meet the deadline for the Debut Scent Competition, so…”

Hence, they hastily completed the product.

“Otherwise, slightly changing its ingredients wouldn’t completely alter its fragrance,” Seraphina jokingly gestured with her thumb and forefinger.

Seraphina’s liveliness captivated Dashiell. Every movement she made imprinted itself on his heart.

Dashiell’s eyes grew deeper, and he suddenly leaned closer. Before Seraphina could react, he wiped her lips with the towel in his hand.

“A little oil stain,” Dashiell calmly remarked, as if it was an ordinary occurrence.

But Seraphina blushed at once.

Dashiell’s gesture was gentle as he wiped Seraphina’s lips with the soft towel and carefully observed her.

Seraphina even felt as though she could still sense Dashiell’s warmth lingering on the towel.

“I… I’m done.” Seraphina lowered her head, her cheeks rosy.

111 о <

07:57 Tue, 30 Jan Nla “Let’s go, then. Let’s head home and get some rest. You must be tired. We can address the other matters tomorrow.” Dashiell seemed to understand what Seraphina wanted to ask. “I’ll have Brayan handle what you mentioned earlier. Don’t worry.”

Seraphina couldn’t have been more relieved.

It felt wonderful when someone understood you and took care of things before you even asked.

As they got into the car, Dashiell suddenly asked Seraphina, “Have you rented the apartment you’re living in?”

“Yes.”

“Cancel it and move in with me.” Dashiell gently held Seraphina’s hand.

Seraphina’s heart sk ipped a beat. She clenched her fingers, lowered her head, and contemplated.

Dashiell didn’t rush her. He patiently held her hand and gazed ahead, waiting for her answer.

In truth, Seraphina had anticipated this request, but not so soon.

Seraphina thought, ‘But we already have the marriage license, and we’ve… well, been intimate. We’re legally a couple, after all. It makes perfect sense for us to live together.'”

Then Seraphina nodded and said, “Okay!”

“Do you want me to help you with it right away?”

What a decisive man.

The car quickly arrived downstairs. Seraphina didn’t let Dashiell accompany her upstairs. She went back to her room alone and simply packed the things she needed.

She only packed some clothes, leaving the bedding behind. She gathered all her personal documents into a bag and then called the landlord to terminate the lease. Finally, she made sure she hadn’t left anything behind.

Only then did Seraphina realize that she had always been alone.

She had thought they were working hard together to start a business, but in the end, it was just her on her own.

Standing at her room’s door, Seraphina took a serious look around, bidding farewell to the past.

III le Seraphina thought, ‘Farewell, my past.’

Dashiell was a little surprised to see Seraphina come down with just one bag. “Is that everything?”

“All the important things are here. The rest is insignificant.”

Fortunately, Julian was not present, so Seraphina didn’t have to waste time arguing with him.

But Julian seldom returned.

Throughout the journey, Seraphina didn’t say anything, and Dashiell remained silent as well. However, he continued to hold her hand and gently stroked the back of it with his thumb.

The car entered Kingsview Villa, the city’s most prestigious villa community.

It was a well-known affluent neighborhood, where all the houses were detached villas with exquisite decorations and gardens. The layout had been meticulously planned and designed by professional architects and top designers.

The residents here not only possessed immense wealth but also held high social status.

Seraphina wasn’t surprised that Dashiell lived here.

However, she didn’t expect that such a large villa had no serv ants. The fully automated high-tech furniture was quite convenient.

After ensuring that no one else was present in the villa, Seraphina asked in surprise, “Do you live here alone?”

“It will be the two of us soon.” Dashiell placed the key in Seraphina’s palm.