Chapter 423: Big Trouble

After days of hard work, the studio finally had results. Evelyn held a small bottle of amber-colored essential oil like it was a priceless treasure. Laura was just as excited, exclaiming how wonderful the scent was, filling the entire studio with its unique fragrance.

It was a scent she had never encountered before, a blend of several floral notes with a hint of herbal essence, elegant and refreshing.

Even though they had only extracted a small bottle of essential oil, it was enough to create a themed series, perfectly aligning with Evelyn's vision.

"Laura, put it somewhere cool. Let's move on to the next step," Evelyn instructed, removing her gloves to wash her hands. She checked the experiment data, making sure everything was in order, before sitting at her computer to send an email. Then she called Lisa, "The product you wanted should be ready in less than two weeks, just in time for your event."

"That's awesome, Evelyn! I knew you could do it!" Lisa said excitedly. After a pause, she added, "By the way, I heard you've been having some trouble lately. Need any help?"

"No need. You said it yourself, it's just a small issue," Evelyn replied with a smile.

Besides, Lisa wouldn't be able to help much in this situation.

"Alright then!" Lisa didn't insist. After a moment, she said, "Oh, Mr. Parker is coming over in the next few days. Do you have time to meet him? He wants to take you out for dinner."

"Mr. Parker?" Evelyn paused, recalling the wealthy businessman Francis had mentioned before. "That's not necessary. I don't really know him."

"We're all friends! Besides, Iris often talks about you and misses you."

Thinking of the little boy she had saved, Evelyn smiled, "We'll see."

"Okay, but please take care of the themed perfume. I can't wait to see it. I feel like I can smell it through the phone!"

Evelyn laughed at Lisa's exaggerated tone, "Alright, you can come see it when it's finished. It's not ready yet."

They had only extracted the essential oil. Eventually, there would be four versions, all based on this oil but with different added ingredients, creating a unified yet distinct final product. That was her idea and creativity.

"Okay, then I'll..."

The doorbell rang. Laura went to check the security screen and saw several people who looked like police officers standing outside. She was taken aback.

"Evelyn," she whispered.

Evelyn sensed something was off and told Lisa, "I have to go. Talk to you later!"

She hung up and approached Laura, "What's wrong?"

Laura pointed to the screen. Evelyn glanced at it and frowned slightly.

Was the industry association finally taking action? It didn't matter; this issue wouldn't escalate to a legal level. At most, they'd ask a few questions and make a civil mediation.

"It's fine, open the door," she instructed, turning to tidy up the experiment table.

Soon, there was a commotion outside, and Laura entered with the police officers, the atmosphere tense.

"Who's Evelyn?" one of them asked loudly.

"I am," Evelyn replied.

"We suspect you are involved in a commercial crime. Please come with us," the officer said sternly.

"Commercial crime?" Evelyn frowned, confused. "Is the Fragrance Association accusing me of a commercial crime?"

If that were the case, it would be laughable.

The officer shook his head, "Not the Fragrance Association. The Redwood Group is accusing you of conspiring with their manager, Virgil, to add banned substances to their perfumes for personal gain. You need to cooperate with our investigation."

The police were being relatively polite. Normally, they wouldn't explain and would just take you away.

Evelyn was shocked, "Who?"

She didn't even remember the name. The Redwood Group manager? Who was that?

"Let's discuss this at the station. Please cooperate," the officer showed his badge, not intending to say more.

"Alright, I'll go with you," Evelyn wanted to understand what was going on.

Laura tried to intervene, "Wait! We don't know the person you're talking about, and we didn't conspire with him. This is slander. How can you arrest someone without proof?"

"That's not for you to decide. We need to investigate. If you continue, you'll be obstructing justice," the officer warned Laura.

"But..." Laura protested, but Evelyn stopped her, "It's okay. I'll go with them to understand the situation. I also want to know how the Redwood Group is slandering me."

It was laughable. Conspiring with the Redwood Group?

Honestly, aside from a couple of interactions with Ruby and knowing Ava and Liam, she didn't know anyone else from the Redwood Group. How could she conspire with them? Was it that easy to frame someone these days, without any evidence?

"It's fine!" Evelyn reassured Laura, turning to leave with the police.

Watching the police car drive away, Laura's mind was in turmoil. She quickly called Kyle, "Kyle, something big happened! Evelyn was taken by the police!"

At the Redwood Group.

Jacob stormed into Ruby's office, slamming his hands on her desk, scattering papers.

He was furious, not even bothering to close the door, glaring at her, "Is this your plan? Do you want Virgil dead?"

He had thought that pinning the blame on their competitor, Evelyn, and the Seraphian Group, making them take the fall, was the best outcome. But he hadn't expected Virgil to be implicated.

The police had come to arrest Virgil, and he realized the Redwood Group had reported not only Evelyn but also Virgil.

He was stunned, unable to believe Virgil was still being dragged into this, unable to protect him.

Since the case was filed by Ruby on behalf of the company, he had to confront her.

With so much happening recently, Jacob felt overwhelmed, unable to make sense of it all. He only knew that if Virgil was implicated, it would be the end.