Elara stood at the window of her home office, eyes scanning the horizon. Though the scandal had been extinguished, the fire it ignited within her hadn't waned. In fact, it only burned brighter.
With Scentra stabilized and the war against the beauty conglomerate underway, Elara had her sights set on a new empire. One that had always fascinated her—beauty. Not just perfumes or skincare, but the full spectrum: cosmetics, luxury skincare, medical-grade treatments, and holistic wellness.
She remembered the world she had transmigrated from. The technology, the science, the innovations. Creating products that were light-years ahead of the formulas available in this world wouldn't be difficult for her.
"All I need," she murmured, "is the will to act."
She turned from the window, grabbed her sleek black coat, and headed out. Today, she would begin her field research.
---
She drove the matte grey Scentra company car into the heart of the city. As she waited at a red light, her phone buzzed. With a tap on the dashboard screen, she accepted the call—masking her voice with a calm, artificial modulation.
"Boss," a young male voice came through, hushed and slightly panicked, "we just got a dark job request. High pay. Very risky."
Elara's voice, cold and decisive, cut through the speaker. "Reject it. We don't do criminal or unethical commissions."
"Yes, Boss."
"Do a deep scan on the client. Mark them. We don't deal with parasites."
"Understood."
She ended the call with a swipe.
Most would never imagine that Scentra's mysterious perfumer was also the founder of **BlackHalo**, an elite hackers group composed of top-tier minds from across the globe. Each member was personally scouted and trained by her. In the shadows of the digital realm, Elara was revered not for her name, but for her unmatched techniques.
---
The flower market was bustling when she arrived. She wasn't here for perfumes—today she wanted to study the botanical essence market, especially the difference between natural preservation and synthesized plant oils.
Strolling past a row of delicate orchids, she felt a strange shift in the atmosphere.
She turned—and saw *him*.
Lu Zeyan.
He stood a few feet away, tall and elegant, dressed in a sharp slate-grey suit that made his presence even more imposing. He held a wrapped bouquet of rare blue peonies. Behind him stood two assistants, neatly dressed and quiet, holding shopping bags.
He hadn't seen her yet.
But she took a step, and their eyes met.
A flicker of recognition danced in his gaze.
"Oh?" Lu Zeyan's voice curled in amusement. "You again. Miss... Bicycle, wasn't it?"
Elara's jaw tightened. "And you're still trailing scent like a lost puppy?"
One of the assistants choked. The other blinked in disbelief. *She dared talk to CEO Lu like that?*
Lu Zeyan smirked. "How sharp. If only your perfume bottle had survived our last encounter."
"It's unfortunate," Elara said coldly, "that I didn't douse you in it properly. Would've masked your rotten personality."
One of the assistants gasped.
Lu Zeyan laughed, the sound rich and low. "Fiery little rose, aren't you?"
"You mistake me for someone who wants to bloom for you."
She brushed past him, her heel tapping a sharp staccato on the cobbled stone.
Lu Zeyan watched her go, intrigued.
His assistant whispered, "Sir... do you want us to find out who she is?"
"No need," he said, gaze fixed on her retreating figure. "She'll appear again. Thorns like that don't stay buried for long."
---
Elara stormed into her car and slammed the door.
Of *all* the people to meet again...
But she pushed the thought aside. She had more pressing plans.
By evening, her room was filled with documents—research on skin absorption rates, anti-aging peptide formulations, and the legal framework for product safety in cosmetic production.
Elara scribbled notes, muttering to herself. "I'll create the next evolution in beauty. No more hollow luxury. Pure efficiency, backed by science."
She opened her tablet and began sketching out the brand.
She jotted down another note: *Start with limited edition skincare serum using spring water base. Blend with nanite actives.*
Her fingers flew across the screen.
She paused.
A grin curved her lips.
"Let's see them try to copy this."
The night was just beginning, but Elara was already ten steps ahead.
---
In another part of the city, Lu Zeyan returned to his grandmother's mansion with the flowers.
Meredith looked at him, amused. "So formal today?"
"I met someone odd."
"A woman?"
He didn't answer.
But Meredith's eyes twinkled knowingly.
"Oh dear," she mused. "Looks like someone's finally found a challenge."
Lu Zeyan leaned back in the velvet armchair, the scent of blue peonies clinging to his sleeves.
"Elusive. Sharp-tongued. And clever."
"And you like that?"
He didn't reply.
But his smile said enough.
Outside, a storm stirred.
And in the quiet heart of the city, two fates edged ever closer.
Not by fate.
But by fire.