A week later, Ruby Sullivan and Howard boarded a flight to Caelus. Ethan Sterling was tied up with so tricky business matters but promised to fly over to join her once he was done.
Ruby Sullivan was invited not only to the awards ceremony but also to a top-level perfur forum, where they hoped she’d share so of her experiences.
This forum was also organized by The Perfu Committee, aid at facilitating exchange and learning among the world’s leading perfurs, with ten speakers invited each year.
Ruby had participated once in her second year with The Lawson Group. It was said that Dr. L generously shared the formula for his debut fragrance, "Mona Lisa’s Tears," though reports later indicated that no one could replicate the scent even with the formula.
Ruby had attempted to mix that fragrance according to the formula when she entered the industry and indeed found it different.
She later sought advice from Dr. L, learning that the order of using the seven equivalent-grade ingredients he provided would yield different scents, and "Mona Lisa’s Tears" was his favorite.
This incident left a deep impression on Ruby, igniting her interest in the art of perfury.
Therefore, upon receiving another invitation to the forum, she felt sowhat excited.
The forum was scheduled for the afternoon, followed by a small dinner gathering.
Ruby hadn’t spoken at such a large event for quite so ti. Despite morizing her speech thoroughly, she was still terribly nervous before going on stage, fearing she might freeze. Just as she was about to go on, Howard suddenly rushed in, "Mr. Sterling is in trouble."
Ruby was stunned.
At that mont, a staff mber from the forum ca in to notify her, "Wenny, you’re next. Please follow backstage."
Ruby frowned slightly and said to Howard, "We’ll talk after I return." Then, she followed the staff mber.
Her presentation was primarily to promote Nirvana, focusing entirely on the relationship between contemporary won and perfu, and the inspiration behind the first fragrance, Nirvana.
But due to her nervousness and the disruption caused by Howard’s words, her mind went blank after saying a few opening lines, unable to recall any further content.
Seeing the growing murmurs from the audience, Ruby had to improvise, introducing so related content about new perfus, hastily concluding her speech.
After stepping down from the stage, she greeted the organizers briefly and left the venue.
Ethan Sterling, eager to see her soon, took a private plane to Caelus, but the plane t with an accident midway, and current information suggested it may have already crashed into the sea.
At this season, the sea temperature was extrely low. If the rescue team couldn’t quickly pinpoint the accident location, even survivors who managed to jump into the sea would likely freeze to death.
Ruby urgently inquired while heading to her car, "What’s the situation now?"
"It’s judged that the crash likely occurred in international waters. Neighboring countries are unwilling to dispatch rescue teams, but our people are rushing here as quickly as possible."
Ruby, after taking a mont to calm down in the car, called Aidan Sinclair, "Ethan Sterling is in trouble. Find a way quick. If he dies, The Sterling Group is finished too."
Aidan Sinclair, who was sleeping, sprang awake at her words, "Got it."
Hearing his response, Ruby involuntarily burst into tears, murmuring, "Thank you."
"Hmm." Aidan Sinclair didn’t have ti for more words and hung up the phone.
Previously, Howard was Ethan Sterling’s assistant, and everyone from The Sterling Family followed his dispatch. Though he was currently handling the Nirvana project, the bodyguards over there still took his command seriously despite the crisis.
However, such international rescue operations, despite ticulous arrangents, encounter many inevitable practical challenges that money alone can’t resolve.
After changing clothes at the hotel, Ruby imdiately called Dr. L.
The crash site of Ethan Sterling’s plane was in international waters near Gallia. To seek governnt assistance, she had to get L’s help.
L resided in a particularly tranquil villa district in the 17th arrondissent of Paris. The route was adorned with woodland, each scene cleverly crafted to highlight ingenuity.
The driver stopped the car in front of a countryside-style villa. "Madam, we’ve arrived," he said fluently in Bellaza, acting as L’s driver here.
As Ruby approached the door, a servant opened it and invited her in, informing her that L was on the third floor.
Ruby realized she only had this option left. Without hesitation, she hurried to the third floor, knocked on a door, and upon entering, was imdiately pinned against the wall by L.
"You finally ca to find ." He looked down at her, scrutinizing her face with narrowed eyes, sensing sothing different about her yet couldn’t pinpoint what.
Ruby, aware that the person addressing her was not the sowhat fearful yet deeply respected ntor but a man with a strong desire to conquer her, felt imnsely timid inside. Her breathing involuntarily beca sowhat constrained, yet she didn’t evade L’s gaze. She bravely t his eyes, channeling all her courage and boldness into pretending.
"Ethan Sterling is in trouble, I need help from the governnt here."
"Oh?" L released a hand, playfully pinching her chin to lift it slightly, "You’re seeking to save your lover?"
"He’s my husband." Though Ruby’s body was stiff with tension, her voice and gaze remained unwavering.
"I have no interest in married won." Hearing this, L suddenly let go, leisurely turning around and offering her rely an indifferent back.
Ruby, adjusting her montum, relaxed as the oppressive feeling vanished.
She remained standing without daring to approach. The earlier L was too intimidating, seemingly leaving her entirely powerless in front of him. She desperately wished to turn away but couldn’t, knowing that every mont now could determine Ethan Sterling’s fate.
"What would it take for you to help ?"
"I told you, I have no interest in married won." L raised an eyebrow, "You know I dislike repeating myself. Don’t test my patience."
"We’re already divorced. Legally, I have no relation to him," Ruby reluctantly revealed the truth.
L, seated on a couch with crossed legs, was amused enough to burst into laughter, "Wenny, you’re truly intriguing. He’s my rival, unrelated to my apprentice, why should I save him?"
Seeing his mocking expression, Ruby knew he was rely toying with her. Soone as petty as him, making her suffer countless silent grievances, couldn’t possibly wish for Ethan Sterling to perish promptly and assist.
She took a deep breath, kneeling on the floor, "I beg you, whatever conditions you have, I’ll accept."
L lingered on his lips, his elongated almond eyes glead with both amusent and wickedness. Half-seriously, half-jokingly, he asked, "Would sleeping with be acceptable?"
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