Chapter 2

I remember in my past life, I signed that "contract of selling my soul," which completely imprisoned me. No flowers, no ring, not even a formal proposal, yet I was happy to accept it. Watching his eager back, I lowered my eyes and smiled self-mockingly. What I mean is, let’s forget about our cooperation. In this life, I won’t give you the chance to destroy me and everything I have. I picked up an unlabelled bottle of iris root extract from the perfume station. Iris root is a fixative in perfumery and also one of the most potent organic solvents. The paper agreement on the table was instantly corroded into a large hole, emitting a pungent smell. I looked at the USB drive left by Julian Lancaster on the table. It contained the electronic version of the agreement. A cold smile curved on my lips. I opened the computer and changed the beneficiary section in the agreement from "Julian Lancaster" to the name of an overseas wildlife conservation fund I had anonymously set up. Then, I opened the gift box containing the sample of "First Love," took out the perfume, and replaced it with one I had blended myself, "Return to Nature." Its top notes were Cymbidium roses and white musk, the same as "First Love." But three minutes later, its middle and base notes would transform into an extremely pungent, cheap synthetic industrial fragrance. Enough to ruin any "genius designer’s" career. After doing all this, I put the USB drive and the gift box back exactly as they were. Julian Lancaster, Serena Sullivan. In this life, I will no longer covet things that do not belong to me. I will lift you to the pedestal you dream of and then let you fall hard from the highest point. I sent Julian a message, telling him the agreement was signed and everything was left in the mailbox by the door. His reply came quickly, just one word. "Okay." I looked at that word and laughed. I knew he must be with Serena Sullivan now, tenderly and lovingly, admiring the work I put my heart and soul into. In this life, I will no longer guard this cage, waiting for his occasional crumbs. I packed my luggage briefly and drove back to my home in the city. The next day, I went to a spice plantation owned by my family. At the entrance, I saw my father’s old friend, and the head of Everard Fragrances, Uncle Shaw. He was directing workers to pick the season’s newest Damascus roses, his actions skilled and professional. I watched quietly, remembering my past life when I had almost severed ties with the entire family because of Julian Lancaster. Uncle Shaw tried to persuade me multiple times, but I turned a deaf ear. In the end, the Everards were annexed by Julian Lancaster and Serena Sullivan together due to my stubbornness, and Uncle Shaw died depressed. I took a deep breath, calmed my emotions, and walked over.