The Product Testing

"We expand."

Hollen repeated the words under his breath as if testing them.

Outside the office window, another wagon rolled through the gates of Helmarte Soap Works. Workers immediately descended upon it, unloading barrels of olive oil and crates of imported fragrances. The factory grounds remained as busy as ever, but for the first time in a long while, Ernest's attention wasn't on soap or steam engines.

It was on four wooden boxes sitting in another building entirely.

The older man noticed the direction of his gaze.

"You're smiling again."

"I told you, I don't have a smile."

"You do. And it usually costs me money."

Ernest laughed and stood up. "Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"The testing area."

Hollen blinked.

"You built a testing area?"

"Of course I did."

At this point, the forge owner wasn't even surprised anymore.