My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 132: Night Meeting at the Hotel

Adeline Lowell had her sit down and said slowly, "Are you aware that the Perfumery Guild also has a medicinal system?"

"I am, but it’s a rather niche system, so I haven’t had much exposure to it." Celia was curious. "My research has always focused on the interplay between fragrances and emotions. When I create perfumes, I concentrate on the most direct olfactory experience and the emotional responses they evoke..."

"The medicinal system primarily focuses on pediatric essential oils. By extracting herbal essential oils with medicinal properties and applying them via topical patches, we can replace the oral medications children take now. The main appeal is that it’s safe, harmless, and hassle-free. Several professional institutions are already working on this domestically, and it’s already being promoted in many traditional medicine hospitals and clinics."

Celia was impressed. "I’ll be sure to study up on this system when I get back. The intention to benefit the world is far more admirable than simply providing olfactory and emotional pleasure."

"But the production costs are high, which means the market price is also very high." Adeline Lowell sighed. "A single 0.05-milliliter vial of essential oil costs dozens. Treating a common cold requires a topical patch made from a mixture of six to nine different oils. Not every family can afford that."

Celia mused, "At that rate, it’s almost as expensive as a luxury perfume."

"I’ve had multiple discussions with the higher-ups recently. With public welfare as the priority, and under their leadership, the Lowell Family will collaborate with the top traditional medicine masters in our field to launch more effective, lower-cost medicinal essential oils. Promoting them nationwide will be a massive undertaking. I’m meeting Academician North tomorrow, and the day after, I have to go to Aethelgard to visit another expert..."

Adeline Lowell spoke of it casually, but it was clearly an immense amount of work. Celia felt a surge of respect. "President Lowell, that’s a noble cause. If you need me or Delia Caine, please don’t hesitate to ask."

Adeline Lowell suggested, "We’ll be setting up an online seminar series where the top masters will give lectures periodically. If you’re interested, Miss Sterling, I can get you an official membership slot so you can listen in when you have time."

Celia nodded in agreement.

Adeline Lowell paused. "You should mention this to Chairman Norwood as well. He has vast resources. We’ll undoubtedly need to approach him about a collaboration down the line..."

Celia looked confused for a moment. "He doesn’t know anything about the perfumery industry. I’m not sure how he could help."

Adeline Lowell’s gaze swept over her face. The young woman’s casual indifference wasn’t an act; she genuinely didn’t seem to know that Silas Norwood controlled the world’s number one aromatherapy resource empire. Adeline gave a knowing smile and said nothing more.

After the banquet, Celia and Adeline Lowell retired to a private suite.

While Adeline Lowell reviewed business documents, Celia started a group video chat with a dozen or so elders from the Lowell Family. With an assistant’s help, the veteran perfumers appeared on screen one by one. In contrast to their strict demeanor during her lessons in Port Sovereign, they now all spoke with gentle tones:

"How many raw materials did you identify in the new samples I sent you?"

"Cece, when are you coming to Port Sovereign again? Bring me a bottle of perfume you’ve blended using the theory I taught you last time. I want to check your work."

"I heard you raving about some delicious local specialty in Metropia last time. Your brother is always popping over to Port Sovereign for a visit; have him bring me some to try next time..."

As they chatted back and forth, it was clear that their frequent conversations had erased any sense of unfamiliarity. They truly doted on her as if she were one of the family’s own younger generation. Smiling, Celia replied to each of them in turn:

"Grandpa, I’ve made two bottles of the perfume. One follows your guidance, and the other is based on a new idea I had. I’ll let you see both when I come."

"Grandpa, I identified over eighty ingredients in the samples. I’ll send you the list I compiled once I’m back in Metropia."

"You want to try that specialty, Grandpa? It spoils easily. Next time, I’ll have my brother bring an authentic chef from Metropia to Port Sovereign to make it for you fresh."

...

Adeline Lowell observed quietly from the side. The affection this group of elders—who were usually so stern within the family—had for Celia was palpable even through the screen. And Celia, calling each of them "Grandpa," sounded perfectly natural.

Watching Celia’s sweet and gentle nature, and the delicate profile of her face which held an indescribable familiarity, Adeline Lowell’s mind drifted for a moment.

Her phone rang.

She rose and walked quietly out the door, not wanting to disturb the lively video chat. Reaching the hallway, she answered, "What is it?"

"Mom." It was her son, Heath Lowell, his voice sounding conflicted. "Grandma told us to keep a closer eye on our cousin Summer, right? Well, she came to Port Sovereign again recently, so I looked into it. It turns out she’s been involved with the Sutton Family, and quite openly. I also heard they gave her shares—the papers were signed right there in that old bastard Kenneth Sutton’s hospital room... Should I go talk to her?"

Adeline Lowell closed her eyes, her expression growing colder. "Forget it. If she doesn’t mind walking back into the wolf’s den herself, why should we, as outsiders, interfere?"

’What a pity for her brilliant, stunning older sister, giving birth to such an ungrateful wretch.’

The next day, Adeline Lowell bade Celia farewell. Celia and the expert team that remained behind implemented comprehensive protective measures at the base. Director Linden had already left for Caspia to handle matters at the new base site. With the new plan implemented, Celia finally had some time to herself.

She scrolled through her phone. Ever since the mention yesterday that their wedding date might be postponed, Silas Norwood hadn’t contacted her.

After a moment’s thought, she sent him a video call request.

Silas Norwood answered, his voice cool yet gentle. "Cece."

Celia noticed the private jet behind him. "Are you going on a business trip?"

"Yes," Silas Norwood replied. "We take off in an hour."

Celia had been about to ask if he was upset about postponing their marriage registration, but seeing that he also had to travel for work, she breathed a small sigh of relief.

"So, shall we get our license after you’re back, Silas?"

A barely perceptible smile touched Silas Norwood’s eyes. "Okay."

On Celia’s end, a member of the expert team was already waving her over. "Okay, Silas, I’ll talk to you later, then? I’m a little busy."

With that, she gave Silas a quick wave and ended the call.

「Private Airport.」

Theo Chambers stood to the side, silently watching his notoriously aloof and unapproachable boss get hung up on by Miss Sterling. The thought, ’See? She’s already tired of you,’ ran through his mind several times before he suppressed it. What came out of his mouth, however, was a voice brimming with concern.

"Boss, you and Miss Sterling have a wonderful time in Rhovan. I’ll handle the daily work back in Metropia."

Silas Norwood gave a faint hum of acknowledgment and boarded the plane without a backward glance.

Celia was a whirlwind of activity at the base all day.

By evening, everything at the base was finally taken care of. Thanks to the help from the Lowell Family’s expert team and the very capable local experts in Rhovan, they managed to salvage everything except for the raw materials that had already been destroyed.

Celia personally hosted a banquet to properly thank everyone involved.

By the time the dinner was over and she returned to her hotel, it was already eleven o’clock at night.

In the hotel lobby, a dim wall sconce illuminated an area surrounded by several stern-faced bodyguards. Bathed in the shadowy light, a refined and coolly aloof man sat with elegant composure, his head slightly bowed, revealing a stunningly handsome profile.

Celia, who had been hurrying toward the elevators, stopped in her tracks.