Chapter 9 Going Abroad

• A nurse gave Celia a document in the afternoon. She knew it was from Hugo, and she unsealed it. Within the file lay a divorce agreement. How cruel can he be? Celia was starting to beat herself up mentally again. He's only letting me go after he killed my child? My child lost his life, and I almost lost mine too. That's the price for freedom? How could he?
• In the evening, she was taken to a confinement center where she could heal. However, she didn't think that the wound in her heart would ever heal.
• The vice director of the hospital went to the top floor's ward to report to Hugo, "Sir, she's discharged."
• Hugo stood before the window with his back turned to the vice director. Coldly, he said, "Make sure no one tells anyone about the child."
• "Of course, Mr. Spencer. Everyone signed the NDA, and the terms will make sure they keep their mouths sealed."
• One month went by. A cab drove Celia to the airport. She had just been discharged from the hospital. With her small suitcase in tow, she looked at the city one last time. It was a place that filled her with pain, so she decided to leave. Even if her wound would never heal, she would not stay in this city for a moment longer. Perhaps someday she could start to heal. If Hugo was dead anyway.
• …
• Four years later, a new perfume named Pinesnow No. 5 took the world by storm, and it charted record sales numbers. Rumors had it that a young lady created this perfume. She was elegant and mysterious just like the perfume.
• A slender, elegant silhouette appeared in Astoria's airport with her suitcase. She was wearing a plaid skirt, and her slightly curly hair tumbled down her waist. On her nose sat a pair of sunglasses, but it didn't hide her beauty at all.
• If there was a hallmark for beauty, this woman would stand at the top.
• "Miss Stuart, over here!" someone called out to her vivaciously.
• Celia approached her, smiling. "You must be Michelle."
• "Yes. I'm here to pick you up. The master is busy."
• "It's alright. Let's go."
• Michelle drove an ordinary car. Celia climbed into the backseat and settled in. She took her sunglasses off, revealing a pair of beautiful eyes underneath. Her gaze was clean and innocent, but at the same time alluring and secretive.
• Michelle had been stealing glances at Celia for a while now. She had only seen Celia in her master's photos, and even then, she was already astonished by Celia's beauty. She was on par with the Findellan celebrities, and in fact, she shone brighter just because she had the air of a fairy. She honestly should be a celebrity instead of a perfumer. Still, she's a successful perfumer. There are hundreds of top perfumers, but she's one of the youngest. "How long have you been abroad, Miss Stuart?" asked Michelle.
• Celia looked at the bustling city that stood afar, a hint of hatred glinting in her eyes. "A while." Celia cocked her eyebrow.
• "I love perfume, but even now I'm still an assistant perfumer. I'd love to learn from you and perhaps someday make something like Pinesnow No. 5."
• Celia smiled. "You can do it as long as you work hard."
• "Oh, can you teach me some tricks when you're free, then?"
• "Of course."
• Delight filled Michelle's heart. She thought Celia would be hard to get along with, but it was the opposite. Her age has never been disclosed on the files, but they say she's the same age as me. "Pardon me, but may I ask how old you are?"
• "Take a guess."
• "Twenty-three?"
• "No. Twenty-four."
• "Oh my gosh, I'm twenty-four too." Michelle wanted to scream. My idol is the same age as I am.
• Celia was taken to an expensive condominium. It belonged to her mentor, and she was permitted to stay. Her mentor—Bryce Zamora—was the one who brought her into this industry. He was starting a branch company back home, and he invited her to research and develop a new product.
• Celia refused at first, for she didn't want to come back home. However, it was thanks to Bryce that she managed to gain so much success, and what was more, there was something she had to do. She had to visit her mother and grandmother's graves. She wanted to talk and pay tribute to them.
• Night fell, and the city lit up like a bright star. Celia held a cup of coffee and stood before a window. Four years had gone by, and once again, she came back to this city of nightmares. Even though it had been years, her hatred did not abate. The man she detested most still lived.
• She spent many nights cursing him, but the heavens turned a deaf ear. They made sure that man lived well and stood at the top of the hierarchy, enjoying the best the world had to offer. She had no idea how rich he was right now.
• Celia bit her lip and closed her eyes. She knew karma would someday tear him to pieces, though it was running late. She could wait, however. She would witness his fall. Nighttime was supposed to be when inspiration flowed for her, but for some reason, her mind was in a rut the moment she stepped foot in this city.
• She finished her coffee and plopped back down in front of her computer to come up with her latest design, but her mind was blank and she couldn't come up with anything. Fortunately, Bryce didn't force her to get to work right away. He gave her ample time to rest.
• Bryce Zamora was twenty-eight years old, a top perfumer, and the founder of Varoque Perfume. Four years ago, on a rainy night, he crashed into a downtrodden Celia. He took her back home and nursed her back to health. It was then he noticed her talent for perfuming. He invested in her education, sending her to the best institution Findella had to offer. In the end, she proved herself to be an incredibly worthy asset for his new company. She was the one who came up with Pinesnow No. 5, and that took the world by storm.
• It was a Saturday morning, and Celia got a call from Bryce. His sister was taking her three-year-old daughter over to his place. Since he was busy, he asked Celia and his assistant to hang out with his niece at the museum.
• Celia wanted to stroll around too. At nine-thirty, Michelle arrived with Bryce's niece, and they went to the museum together after that. It was packed, though that was to be expected on a weekend. Michelle and Celia held Nelly Lowling's hands, worried she might go missing.
• They went through a lot of exhibits, but Nelly stayed the longest at the dinosaur section. She loved dinosaurs.
• "Michelle, my phone's dead. I'm going to hunt for some power banks," said Celia.
• "Sure. I can keep an eye on Nelly." Michelle nodded.
• Celia left the chamber and searched for a power bank. It was then her phone rang. The caller was Leah Styles, her friend in Korshach. Happily, she picked it up. "What's up, girl? Missing me?"
• "What's with the hubbub over there?" Leah asked.
• "I'm at a museum. Give me a second. I need to find a quiet spot." Celia walked to a quiet corner. It was only open for the staff members, and a sign that said 'No Visitors' hung around. Eh, just a call won't matter. She went around the sign and went inside. "How's your new song coming?"
• "In practice, but my throat has been killing me lately, so practice is on hold."
• "Don't forget to rest, girl." Celia leaned on the wall, then she heard a child shout.
• "Let me go! Who are you people? Let me go!"
• "Shut it, brat!" a man snarled, and then the child whimpered as if he was getting his mouth shut.