My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 83: The Request

Kian Sterling didn’t respond right away. He sipped his tea, unhurried, as a faint pressure spread through the silent room. Adeline Lowell had a nagging suspicion about his intentions, and her heart grew heavier with each passing thought.

"Does The Ninth Master have his eye on... Port Sovereign’s market? The Lowell Family’s equity? Or the centuries-old foundation of my family’s perfumery business?"

"I’m not that crude." Kian Sterling finally spoke. "I only want copies of the manuscripts from the Lowell Family’s Chief Perfumers throughout the years, and two days of instruction from your esteemed elders."

Adeline Lowell was stunned.

’The manuscripts of the Chief Perfumers were certainly precious, but in the world of perfumery, it was impossible to soar to greatness just by reading a few notes. Someone with little aptitude could memorize the manuscripts of all the world’s top Perfumers and still not even grasp the basics of the craft. And he only wanted copies.’

’As for the dozen or so top Fragrance Masters of the Lowell Family who had retired from the position of Chief, the younger generation spent more than half the year receiving their instruction, and even then, not many promising talents had been cultivated over the years. Kian Sterling was only asking for a mere two days. Even if they held nothing back, how much could anyone possibly absorb?’

Adeline Lowell stared at Kian Sterling. "What does The Ninth Master want the manuscripts for? The most talented incense master in our Lowell Family is my eldest sister. The manuscript she gave you back then was a distillation of the Lowell Family’s centuries of perfumery philosophy and experience. It drew from the strengths of many and integrated her own invaluable experience. Its value far surpasses that of the dusty old manuscripts in our library. For The Ninth Master to ask for manuscripts again now is, in my opinion, a completely pointless endeavor."

"That’s my business." Kian Sterling offered no explanation.

Adeline Lowell mused, "The Lowell Family’s legacy is passed down through personal instruction and example; we’ve never relied on manuscripts. If The Ninth Master wants them, it’s no matter. As for the retired elders of the family, never mind two days, I can give you a few more. That’s nothing. I just wonder how many Perfumers The Ninth Master plans to send to the Lowell Family to study..."

"Just my sister."

"Miss Sterling?" Adeline Lowell was surprised yet again. While the Sterlings did produce perfume, it was just one branch of their massive business empire. In terms of both perfumery experience and quality, they were in no way comparable to a legendary family like the Lowells.

’For Kian Sterling to offer up several supply chains in exchange for manuscripts from a minor branch was surprising enough. She had thought he would send all of the Sterlings’ incense masters to burnish their credentials, but she never expected him to go to such great lengths for his sister alone.’

’How was this any different from a king squandering his entire kingdom for a whim? For someone with Kian Sterling’s temperament, this was an act of sheer madness.’

Adeline Lowell couldn’t help but doubt the reliability of this deal. "The things The Ninth Master has promised..."

Kian Sterling stood up nonchalantly. "Within three days, my assistant will personally deliver the supply chain contracts to your residence."

Adeline Lowell remained wary. "I’ve heard The Ninth Master always puts profit first and never accepts a loss. No matter how you look at it, today’s deal is a massive loss for you..."

"As I said, that’s my business."

Kian Sterling cut her off coldly, drained his cup, and rose to leave. "The nights in Port Sovereign are cool. I’ll take my sister home now. The Fragrance Gala still has two days left. I’ll have to trouble the reclusive elders of the Lowell Family to take good care of her."

In the front hall, the Perfumers’ exchange was nearing its end. A clash of concepts couldn’t be decided by a few simple experiments, of course, but after several hours of discussion, everyone had gained something.

The hotel for the guests was right next to the Lowell Estate. The Perfumers had already been shown to the hotel to rest, leaving only a few people in the grand hall. Summer Sutton, who had followed them out, thoughtfully pulled Celia Sterling into the circle of the Lowell Family’s Chief Perfumers.

With the socially adept Summer Sutton occasionally warming up the conversation, Celia Sterling soon found common ground with Rosalyn Lowell and the others.

"You’re from the Sterlings of Metropia?" Rosalyn Lowell asked, looking at the radiant and sweet-natured girl before her. "Why didn’t your family’s Chief Perfumer, Brightmoon, come? I’ve always wanted to meet her."

"Rosalie, you know of Brightmoon too?" Celia Sterling mused. "She doesn’t have many works, and her involvement with our Sterling Group’s Delia Caine brand isn’t very high. Most of the time, the products aimed at the market are developed by a few other Perfumers."

"But all of Delia Caine’s collector’s editions in recent years have come from her." Rosalyn Lowell’s tone was grave. "A Perfumer’s ability isn’t measured by their market involvement. I’ve been a judge for the last three Fragrance Chaser Cups, and I’ve encountered her work more than once. It’s absolutely stunning. Many of her fantastical ideas have given me a great deal of inspiration. In some respects, her skill level is above my own."

Celia Sterling replied humbly, "Rosalie, you’re the one who is the most breathtaking genius in The Perfumery Guild in recent years. To be honest, I’ve managed to experience five of your creations, and the ’Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon’ series, in particular, absolutely blew me away. Since I’m here for the Fragrance Gala, I was wondering if I might have the honor of hearing you speak about the inspiration behind that series?"

The look in Rosalyn Lowell’s eyes softened even more. "Of course. That’s my personal favorite series as well..."

Once they started talking, they found it hard to stop. When Kian Sterling came out, he saw Celia Sterling holding a stuffed animal from who-knows-where, her eyes sparkling as she sat with two of the Lowell Family’s Chief Perfumers, chatting about everything from design inspiration to interesting industry topics.

Summer Sutton wasn’t an expert on the subject, but she skillfully interjected a comment or two during the lulls. From a distance, it was a perfectly harmonious scene.

Kian Sterling didn’t interrupt them.

He leaned lazily against the entryway, waiting with immense patience. He even had the spare moment to take out his phone and handle some work. Only when it was clear that Celia Sterling and the others had talked their fill and were getting up did Kian Sterling walk over.

"Cece," he said, his voice deep.

Celia Sterling happily waved the stuffed animal in front of him. "Rosalyn gave it to me. Isn’t it cute?"

’It had only been a short while, and she was already on sisterly terms with the Lowell Family’s Chief Perfumer.’ Kian Sterling’s gaze flickered over Rosalyn Lowell for just a moment before he grunted softly in acknowledgment. "Let’s go."

Celia Sterling clung to his arm, obediently walking out with him.

In the parking lot, two people were lying in wait not far from Kian Sterling’s sports car. Eldest Young Master Warren, who had just rushed over, sat to the side with his Chief Perfumer, his gaze fixed on the entrance with desperate anticipation. Kian Sterling’s bodyguards knew his identity, so they didn’t chase him off, but merely prevented him from getting within three paces of the car.

Kian Sterling and Celia Sterling emerged and walked straight toward the sports car.

Eldest Young Master Warren of the Hale Group shot to his feet reflexively, mustering his courage to greet Kian Sterling just as he was about to get into the car.

"Chair-Chairman Sterling!" Eldest Young Master Warren, who had been so arrogant on the cruise ship, was now a stuttering mess in front of Kian Sterling. "I-I’m Ethan... Ethan Warren of the Hale Group."

Kian Sterling shot him an indifferent glance. "I’m not discussing business tonight."

Eldest Young Master Warren cleared his throat. "Then, c-could we get a photo together?"

Kian Sterling couldn’t be bothered to respond and gestured for his bodyguards to keep the man away. Seeing that his target was about to leave, Eldest Young Master Warren was deeply unwilling to give up. Noticing how close Kian Sterling and Celia Sterling were, he settled for the next best thing.

"Chairman Sterling, you and your girlfriend are staying at the Port Sovereign International Hotel, right? What a co-coincidence, I’m planning on staying there too. Why don’t we drive over together? Even getting a picture of our sports cars side-by-side would be great."