Chapter 412
Vivienne did not reply immediately. Instead, she simply gazed at Astrid, waiting for her to continue.
Feeling a bit anxious, Astrid borated, "Don''t get me wrong, Vivienne. I''m not saying that Percival
isn''t treating you well. I''m just thinking, with the Ellington family being such a prestigious and influential
family, it''s aplex world out there. If you had enough confidence and strength, you wouldn''t need to
put up with any difort there."
Vivienne nodded slightly, "You make a good point."
Astrid let out a sigh of relief. "I''m d you understand what I''m getting at. I hope I haven''t
overstepped."
"Not at all," Vivienne replied, taking a sip of her drink, "I can contribute some innovative fragrance
forms at thepany, which could quickly build a reputation for us."
Astrid felt an awkward sense of being seen through and could only force a chuckle, taking a sip of her
water to cover her nerves. "You''re right. It''s a win-win situation, isn''t it?"
Vivienne raised an eyebrow, a subtle gleam in her eyes.
After dinner, it was gettingte. Alfred pulled the car up to the mall to pick up Astrid.
"Vivienne, let me drive you two back," Alfred called out, rolling down his window.
Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.
"No need, we drove here," Vivienne declined coolly.
"Alright then. Take care," Alfred waved and drove off with Astrid.
Watching their car disappear into the distance, Vivienne''s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Percival draped his jacket over Vivienne''s shoulders, his fingertips lightly touching her cheek, "Getting
impatient?"
She nodded. "More than I expected. It''s quite dull."
He wrapped an arm around her waist and ushered her into the car, saying, "Then let''s take our time. As
long as you''re happy."
A grin spread across Vivienne''s face. "Sounds good to me!"
Meanwhile, Alfred pulled over to the side of the road.
"Did she agree?" He asked.
Astrid nodded, "Yes, she''ll be joining thepany soon. She''s a natural at this, soing up with a
few perfume forms will be a breeze. Now, it''s just a matter of how much she''s willing to contribute."
Alfred smiled contentedly. "She''s a genius. Having someone like her on our side is the best way to
serve our nation."
Astrid looked at Alfred, her eyes curving into a smile. "You''re absolutely right."
Indeed, Vivienne did exactly as Astrid had anticipated, taking an active role at Dorian''spany.
Dorian was amazed. “Vivienne, are you sure about this? Thepany is just getting off the ground. It’s
going to be hard work. Why not wait until things are more stable before you join? It would be easier
then.”
“Dad, do you think I can''t help stabilize thepany?" Vivienne countered.
Dorian quickly reassured her, "No, no, I didn''t mean that. I just don''t want you to overwork yourself.
You''re young. You should be enjoying yourself, not trapped in an office with no time to yourself."
"I''ll rest when I need to. Don''t worry."
With Vivienne joining thepany, she also moved back into Dorian''s home.
Dorian had always kept her room ready, furnished just how she liked it, so she could finally get a good
night''s sleep.
Just as Astrid had said, Dorian and Cordelia were indeed busy withpany matters from dawn till
dusk.
They were constantly discussing and verifying various reports, barely able to catch their breath.
Sometimes, Thaddeus would go hungry, waiting for his parents to return.
Vivienne''s arrival lightened their load considerably, especially regarding fragrance formtion.
Although Karen''s legacy of perfume forms was enough to sustain thepany, Dorian still wanted
to develop more varieties to ensure continuous innovation.
"Vivienne''s new form smells like a fresh rainfall, rich and enduring. I like it," Cordelia announced,
marking one of the forms with a check.
"I think this one is also fitting. It has a natural, earthy scent." Dorian selected another.
Their opinions differed, and while they couldunch both, the startup costs for two new perfumes were
substantial for a fledglingpany.
During the deadlock, Astrid stepped in, examining both forms. The numbers of the forms were
very detailed, and the ingredients used were urate. She carefully read both forms, the gleam in
her eyes getting deeper.
Then, she suggested, "Mom, Dad, I think these two are both great. Why not ask Vivienne which one
she prefers tounch first?"
ying with Thaddeus and his Lego, Vivienne heard Astrid mention her and said, "Thaddeus, let''s
draw straws."
The boy excitedly picked one of the crumpled papers on the table.
Cordelia cheered as Thaddeus picked her favorite. "I win! We''llunch this one. I''ll immediately discuss
theunch strategy with the marketing team."
With the fragrance decided, Dorian also had to discuss production schedules with the factory. "Astrid,
Vivienne, we''re off to thepany. Stay safe at home, and if you''re hungry, order some takeout. Don''t
skimp on the good stuff!"
As he spoke, Dorian left some cash on the table and hurried out.
Astrid shook her head at their parents'' workaholic tendencies.
Vivienne just smiled, saying nothing.
Astrid ruffled Thaddeus''s hair, saying, "Isn''t it time for you to hit the books? Didn''t the kindergarten give
you homework?"
The boy stuck out his tongue in mock protest. "Alright, alright, off to study I go."
After Thaddeus trotted off to his room, the smiles on their faces gradually faded.
Picking up the form from the table, Astrid turned to Vivienne, "You really are a genius. This perfume
smells amazing. It''s going to be a hit."
"Good to hear you like it," Vivienne responded nonchntly.
Astrid scrutinized the recipe before her—the precise ingredient ratios were not something an average
person could concoct.
Vivienne continued to fiddle with the Lego on the table, seemingly oblivious to Astrid''s actions.
Vivienne responded nonchntly, “Do you know how to get into one of those national-level research
institutes?” Draмanоvеls
Astrid’s heart skipped a beat as she looked cautiously at Vivienne.
But she found that Vivienne''s gaze was still fixed on the mountainous pile of Lego, not once straying in
her direction.
It was filled with all sorts of documents from thepany, useful and otherwise.
Vivienne finally looked up. “Anything’s fine.”
“Alright,” Astrid replied, slipping into her shoes and stepping out the door.
As she closed the door behind her, Astrid nced at the perfume recipe in her hand, and a sly smile
crept across her lips.