Chapter 6 A Fresh Start
Three days later, Victoria took Sophia to a high-end residential building.
"Look, this is it! What do you think?" Victoria smiled, pointing at the modern twenty-story apartment building before them. "This complex is called Platinum Residences, just a five-minute walk from the hospital, and the transportation is very convenient."
As she spoke, she led Sophia into the elevator and up to the twelfth floor, where she took out a key and opened the door to apartment 1205.
Sophia walked in and couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
Before her was an elegantly furnished two-bedroom apartment, approximately twelve hundred square feet, with a well-proportioned layout and excellent natural lighting. The spacious living room greeted them immediately upon entry, with floor-to-ceiling windows that bathed the room in afternoon sunlight, casting dappled shadows on the beige flooring.
Sophia slowly walked to the window and looked out. She could see the central garden of the complex below, shaded by trees and featuring a small fountain—a truly beautiful environment.
"Oh, and I've prepared a little surprise for you!" Victoria said with a mysterious smile, leading Sophia to a corner of the living room near the window.
There stood an exquisite solid wood workstation, about four feet long and three feet wide, at a perfect height for standing while working.
Above the workstation hung an adjustable LED lamp. On the left side of the desk sat a row of elegant glass test tubes and measuring cups, while the right side held several small electronic scales. A three-tiered glass shelf could accommodate various perfume bottles and distillation tools. Behind the display shelf was a large floor-to-ceiling window, allowing natural light to shine directly onto the workspace.
"I may not know much about perfumery, but I do understand some basics," Victoria said with a smile. "Like how important proper lighting and ventilation are. This spot is just perfect."
Hearing this, Sophia's eyes instantly welled with tears. She gently ran her hand over the surface of the workstation, her heart filled with gratitude.
"Victoria, you're so sweet. I'll never forget your kindness," she said emotionally, squeezing Victoria's warm hand. "Thank you."
"Enough of that sentimentality—it's not like you," Victoria laughed. "If you like it, you can move in tonight."
Sophia nodded with a smile.
That evening, while Alexander was away on business, Sophia quietly packed her belongings. She didn't have much—just a few changes of clothes, some skincare products, and several professional books on perfumery. During her two years at the Kensington estate, she had lived like a temporary guest, leaving few traces behind.
On her first night in the new home, Sophia lay in the cozy master bedroom, gazing at the moonlight outside her window, feeling truly peaceful and secure for the first time in a long while.
Here, there was no Alexander's coldness, no Osborne siblings' schemes—just a space that was entirely her own.
She closed her eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.
A week later, the Emerald Harbor Art Gallery welcomed a special exhibition.
Noah's personal exhibition, "Summer of Healing," officially opened, attracting numerous art enthusiasts and colleagues from the medical community. The thirty pieces on display all revolved around themes of medical care and human compassion—depicting doctors at work, patients rejoicing in recovery, and a young girl reading in her hospital bed. Each painting radiated warmth and hope.
Nearby, Sophia, elegant in a light blue dress, gracefully moved through the exhibition hall. She had received Noah's invitation the day after moving out of the Kensington estate. Despite being busy with preparations for her perfumery, she had made time to attend.
Halfway through the opening ceremony, Noah took the stage and picked up the microphone to deliver his speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for taking time from your busy schedules to attend my exhibition," he said with a gentle smile. "Through these works, I hope to convey the power that comes from combining art with medicine."
"I'd also like to introduce a special friend, Ms. Sophia Winters," he paused, looking toward Sophia in the crowd. "She's an exceptional perfumer who will soon be opening a perfumery on Royal Avenue. As we all know, fragrances can improve our emotions and health, which aligns perfectly with our theme today. So, Sophia, would you mind coming up and saying a few words?"
Sophia was startled to hear her name called unexpectedly.
Why hadn't Noah mentioned this to her beforehand?
"That name sounds familiar—isn't she the country girl? Alexander's wife?" someone whispered.
"I heard they're not getting along and that he's already set his heart elsewhere. They're heading for divorce, poor thing."
"Come to think of it, her family background is humble. Her parents passed away early, and she has a sickly sister. I wonder if she paid for her perfumery education with Kensington money?"
These scattered comments reached Sophia's ears. She frowned slightly, took a deep breath, met Noah's gaze, and walked steadily to the stage.
"Hello everyone, I am indeed Sophia," her voice rang clear and melodious. "I began studying perfumery out of personal interest and have eight years of experience now—not something I started after marriage. I hope that in the future, when you hear my name, you'll think of Sophia the perfumer, not someone's wife."
"I'm grateful for Noah's recognition, and his artwork truly has a powerful impact," she smiled at Noah before continuing. "Perfumery is indeed an art of healing. Different fragrances can regulate emotions, relieve stress, and even help treat certain conditions. I hope that my future perfumery will bring more beautiful experiences to everyone. Thank you."
As soon as she finished speaking, warm applause erupted from the audience. Sophia gracefully bowed in acknowledgment.
Meanwhile, at the Kensington Group headquarters。
Alexander sat in his executive chair, having just returned from a business trip to ProgressCity. His desk was piled high with documents awaiting his attention.
Jack entered with coffee in hand, wearing a mischievous smile that suggested he was eager to stir up trouble.
"Alex, take a look at this," Jack passed over his phone, which displayed a livestream of Noah's exhibition. "Your ex-wife is quite impressive, working so seamlessly with Noah."
At this, Alexander's platinum pen paused mid-signature. He slowly raised his head, giving Jack a dangerous look.
"We're not divorced yet," he said coldly.
"Well, she's about to leave you. Aren't you going to check on that?" Jack shrugged. "Personally, I think there's more to her than meets the eye."
Alexander frowned in displeasure.
He had returned today only to learn from the housekeeper that Sophia had moved out. She wasn't answering his calls either—she was certainly becoming more assertive. Moreover, in their two years of marriage, she had never voluntarily mentioned her perfumery background, yet Noah seemed to know everything about it.
Suddenly, his phone chimed.
It was a message from Lily.
[Alexander, it's been almost two weeks, and you haven't replied to me. Are you back from your business trip?]