The Fragrance Queen's Final Note novel Chapter 6

"What do you have? Does that little studio of yours even see two or three customers a month? If you weren't standing next to me, no one would even know who you are."

Watching the drama unfold, Renata chimed in with a bout of fake sympathy. "Zander, you shouldn't put Queenie down like that. She might be a nobody right now, but who knows? Maybe one day she'll truly shine."

She sounded like she was standing up for Queenie, but the sheer glee dancing in her eyes gave her away completely.

Zander scoffed. "With those niche, unrefined, amateur fragrances she mixes up? If someone buys it, that's value. If no one wants it, it's just self-delusion."

Staring at his face, Queenie suddenly felt like she was looking at a complete stranger.

Maybe he hadn't changed at all. Maybe she had just finally taken off her rose-tinted glasses.

When you love someone, their flaws look like quirks. But when you finally wake up, the people around you reveal their true, monstrous faces.

She gave a cynical smirk. She didn't bother defending herself against his insults.

What was the point of a verbal sparring match? The ultimate revenge would be making him eat every single word he just said!

"As long as my self-delusion makes me happy, no one has the right to interfere." Queenie paused for a beat. "Also, they say a man who wrongs his wife invites financial ruin. I'd watch your mouth if I were you, Zander."

Dropping that calm warning, she turned on her heel and left without a backward glance.

Staring at her retreating figure, a wave of inexplicable frustration washed over Zander.

She had been the one to chase him first. Over the years, he had grown entirely accustomed to her obedience, tolerance, and endless compromises. But these past couple of days, she had turned into a wild horse, slowly slipping out of his control. He hated that feeling.

He couldn't think of a single reason for her sudden shift in temperament.

Once again, the image of that little toy popped into his mind...

Could she really be seeing someone on the outside?

Striding out of the dining room with a stormy expression, he called his assistant.

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