Chapter 430 Heartfelt Reflection

Chapter 430 Heartfelt Reflection

"Dylan, are you seriously trying to tell me how to do my job?" Dylan shot a glance at Ruby, his voice dripping with irritation.

"Not at all, just a friendly reminder." Ruby flashed a brief smile, then opened the door and left the room.

As she exited Dylan's office, Ruby's anxiety grew. She had thought she had everything under control, but in just two days, it felt like everything was unraveling.

It was like she had spun a giant web, thinking she was safely in the center, watching others get ensnared. But now, she was starting to realize she might be caught in someone else's web, just another piece of prey.

No, this can't be happening! Something must have gone wrong!

Evelyn had been having a rough few days. The Redwood Group was accusing her of tampering with their perfume, and the Fragrance Association was jumping at the chance to claim she was practicing without a license.

Caught between these two forces, even some of her previously supportive fans began to doubt her. Some turned against her, believing she was just a fraud, that her previous successes were all a sham.

Online, opinions were split. Some believed in her, confident she would overcome this as she had before, trusting in her character and her skills as a perfumer.

Others sided with the accusers, questioning why the largest industry association would target her specifically. They pointed out that she had never clarified her licensing status, suggesting she might indeed be unqualified. And the recent issue with the Redwood Group's first perfume, which she had publicly endorsed, only fueled their suspicions.

Evelyn had not responded to any of this. She seemed busy, constantly moving between her studio and other places, taking numerous phone calls. No one knew what she was up to.

Then, one day, an unexpected visitor arrived at her studio.

Dylan was surprised to find the door open. He walked in without knocking, the garden filled with various plants, their scents mingling in the air—floral, herbal, even medicinal. It was a bit overwhelming.

As a perfumer, Dylan was used to complex scents, but each blend was unique, and this one was slightly unsettling.

In a corner, someone was busy working, clipping a plant and placing it in a basket before moving on to the next.

She was so focused that she didn't notice Dylan until he cleared his throat.

Evelyn paused, then turned to look at him, squinting against the bright sunlight.

"Got a lot of free time, huh?" Dylan remarked, stepping into the shade of the pergola.

"Mr. Anderson, here to revel in my misery?" Evelyn continued her work without looking up.

She was well aware of the online rumors. But until things were settled, any statement would only spark more controversy. It was better to stay quiet and focus on her work.

"You know you're a joke, right?" Dylan glanced at the table set with a complete coffee service. She even had time for coffee, clearly not just pretending to be calm.

"Whether I'm a joke or not, it's too early to tell," Evelyn replied, tidying up the weeds and placing her tools in the basket. She then headed inside.

As she disappeared from view, Dylan quickly followed.

Inside, it was cooler. Evelyn set down the basket and methodically organized her plants, washing, sorting, and categorizing them.

Watching her, Dylan was reminded of his early days as a perfumer. These tasks, though tedious, were essential for understanding and utilizing each material. Since joining the association, he had delegated most of this work to assistants, focusing solely on blending scents.

"With the Redwood Group accusing you of tampering and your lack of a license, you're looking at jail time," Dylan said, standing a short distance away. "Aren't you worried? Or do you have that much faith in the Seraphian Group and Mr. Whitman to save you?"

"I don't know if he can save me, but I know he'll do his best," Evelyn replied, washing her hands before turning to face Dylan. "As for jail, don't worry about it. I won't forget your role in this."

Looking into her clear eyes, Dylan felt a pang of guilt. He knew exactly how this whole situation had been orchestrated. Yet, despite being the one pulling the strings, she hadn't begged for help or shown any panic. She was too calm, too composed.

"Why be so stubborn? In this industry, you should follow the rules. Get a license, join the association. Every perfumer in the country dreams of this. Just admit your mistake, take the exam, and I guarantee you'll pass. Then you can join the association, and together we can elevate Vistalia's perfume industry. Isn't that a good thing?"

Dylan couldn't understand why Evelyn was so obstinate. He was offering her a clear path to success, yet she insisted on taking the hard road.

"With you?" Evelyn's lips curled into a mocking smile. She stepped closer, looking up at him. "Your idea of elevating the industry is setting barriers and rules, forcing every aspiring perfumer to follow your or your team's dictates. If they don't, they're not worthy of being perfumers? Is that your vision of a new level?"

"Mr. Anderson, ask yourself honestly, do you want to be a perfumer or a decayed high-ranking official in the perfume industry?"

Dylan was taken aback. The question struck deep, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Ask yourself honestly, ask yourself honestly!

"So, you're not going to admit any wrongdoing?" Dylan took a deep breath.

"I've done nothing wrong, so there's nothing to admit," Evelyn said calmly. "I'll be waiting. And you should wait too."