The Fragrance Queen's Final Note novel Chapter 40

She had no choice but to lay out the whole story.

After hearing it, Simon laughed in disbelief. "Renata, you've got some nerve. Pulling connections out of thin air... Aren't you afraid this lie is going to blow up in your face?"

"I figured if I came to you, you could definitely help me fix it. After all, we do have... a history together."

"As you said, it's 'history,' which means it's in the past. Since you're asking me for a favor now, you're going to need a new bargaining chip."

Simon paused for a second. "The Lumière Hotel, Room 808. I'll be waiting for you there at 2 PM. Whatever you want to say, come tell me in person."

Renata hesitated briefly, but thinking of her current predicament, she had no choice but to bite the bullet. "Alright..."

***

Evening.

Queenie sat in her atelier, completely focused on tweaking her perfume.

She kept her head down, holding a scent strip in her left hand and a dropper in her right, adjusting the formula drop by agonizingly precise drop.

The table in front of her was covered in brown glass bottles, their labels bearing the names of ingredients in her own handwriting.

A set of purple wind chimes hung above her; as a breeze swept through, the chimes swayed gently, producing a soft, crystalline sound.

Her movements were slow, her expression entirely absorbed.

So much so that she hadn't even noticed when someone appeared in the doorway.

When Jocelyn arrived following the address, she happened to catch sight of Queenie working diligently.

The golden light of the setting sun filtered through the blinds, casting strips of amber light across her profile, highlighting the soft yet defined lines of her forehead, nose, and lips.

Her long hair was casually twisted up and secured with a wooden hairpin, a few stray strands falling softly against her neck.

The elegant way her slender fingers held the scent strip looked almost like she was delicately pinching a flower.

No matter how you looked at it, she was like a breathtaking portrait of a classic beauty.

Jocelyn couldn't help but stare, completely mesmerized.

She sighed inwardly—

How could someone this beautiful...already be married!

"Queenie." She called out softly.

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