Excited, I accept—despite Nathan’s sharp glare, silently scolding me for not following his advice to take it easy. Still, I step up onto the grand stage alongside other perfumers, determined to craft something unforgettable.

When the exhibition ends, the man congratulates me, and to my surprise, I’m selected as one of the finalists to develop the year-end signature fragrance.

"I can’t believe it!" I whisper, bouncing a little on my feet and throwing my arms around Nathan. "We made it! ...