"Master Brooke, Dustin, we've found you." At that moment, Cody and Harper walked in through the door."Hmph! You're here to take advantage of us again!" Harper grimaced and shot Dustin a scornful look. She couldn't shake off the events from last night. Her resentment toward Dustin and his collusion with Lana was still fresh in her mind. "Dustin, I heard you were almost robbed last night. Are you alright?" Cody asked with a concerned look."Thank you for your concern, Mr. Ostrower. They were just a bunch of petty thieves. I didn't take them seriously," Dustin replied.Dustin suddenly changed the topic and asked, "By the way, Mr. Ostrower, how did you know I was almost robbed?""Huh?" Cody's expression froze, but he swiftly regained his composure."Oh, I have a well-informed network. In this part of South City, hardly anything can happen without me getting wind of it.""I see." Dustin chuckled with a knowing look.He had been wondering who might have taken an interest in Encha
Zion was seated by the window on the second floor of Goldcrest Lounge. He was sipping on his tea as he observed the bustling street below. Even with over ten occupied tables, Goldcrest Lounge felt rather solemn compared to its usual lively air. The patrons at each table seemed to be silently enjoying their tea. "Mr Swanson, that guy has arrived." Ziggy, who was standing behind Zion, suddenly pointed downward.Zion looked down and saw Dustin strolling through the crowd. He appeared calm and unruffled."Hmph! He actually came alone? How naïve!" Zion sneered. Then, he downed his tea in one gulp.Shortly afterward, heavy footsteps approached. Dustin had made his way upstairs without any difficulty. After scanning the room and spotting Zion and his group, Dustin promptly sat across from them."Mr. Swanson, we meet again." Dustin smiled and poured himself a cup of tea."Mr. Rhys, Ziggy told me you'd like to discuss business. What would you like to talk about?" Zion asked rather po
"Mr. Swanson, you seem sincere in wanting the formula. How about this? I'll take a loss and cover the extra costs. I'll only need the first ten herbs. How does that sound?" Dustin put on a reluctant front. "10 herbs won't do, either!" Zion maintained his grim expression. "Then how many will you agree to?" Dustin sought a compromise."One." Zion raised one finger."I can only give you one!""One herb?" Dustin frowned. "Mr. Swanson, is this some kind of joke? I don't think negotiation works like this.""Your Dew Balm formula is only worth one top-grade precious herb. That's all I can offer." Zion was getting impatient. If Dustin had merely asked for money, he could have managed the situation. However, Dustin was throwing out exorbitant demands and treating him like a fool. "Since you're not cooperating, let's forget about today. I'm sure there will be someone else who would be interested." Dustin didn't waste his breath and prepared to leave. "Stand right there!" Zion sla
"Miracle doctor, are you surprised?" Eleanor asked with a smile."I saw you on the streets and thought you looked familiar. I can't believe it's really you. We parted ways in a rush the last time. I didn't even get to thank you. I'll have to treat you to a meal this time.""It's nothing, Ms. Welch. I just did what anyone should do." Dustin nodded slightly. "Ms. Welch, you … know this guy?" Zion asked cautiously. Eleanor slapped Zion across the face once more. She yelled at him, "Of course! This miracle doctor is my savior! How dare you touch him? Do you think I won't kill you?""Your savior?" Zion was so shocked that his legs almost gave way. He had thought Dustin was only an ordinary citizen who could fight and had some medical skills. He didn't expect him to have the backing of the Welch family's heiress. He had made an unwise move. "What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and apologize to him before I make your life miserable!" Eleanor glared at him. Zion to
"Ms. Welch, what can I do for you?" Mr. Yaxley approached her eagerly with a big smile on his face. "Let me ask you, is it true that we have a Dragon Panax?""Indeed we do. It's in the vault," Mr. Yaxley replied honestly."Great, bring it to me now," Eleanor instructed."Ms. Welch, what are you going to do with it?" Mr. Yaxley tried to ask."Why do you care? I have my reasons!" Eleanor replied impatiently."Ms. Welch, I must confess that this item is a part of Mr. Welch Senior's precious collection. I'm afraid I cannot simply hand it over without his permission," Mr. Yaxley explained with his head lowered."Just bring it to me for now. I'll talk to Grandpa about it later," Eleanor insisted."This … doesn't seem right." Mr. Yaxley was put in a difficult spot."Hey! You won't even listen to me now?" Eleanor glared at him. "I told you to bring it to me! Why so much nonsense? Go!" As she spoke, she gave his backside a swift kick. "Please, hold on, Ms. Welch." Mr. Yaxley was l
What Mr. Yaxley had brought was a box of gold bars. They sparkled brightly under the sunlight, creating a visual impact more stunning than money ever could."Dustin, here's a token of appreciation from the Welch family. Take it as your payment for saving Eleanor," Joanne said calmly as she glanced at the gold bars."What is the meaning of this, Mom?" Eleanor pouted in displeasure."The Welch family never owes favors. Since Dustin saved you, it only makes sense that I reward him handsomely," Joanne said matter-of-factly."Mrs. Welch, I did not save Eleanor for money." Dustin shook his head."What? Is this too little for you?"Without saying anything else, Joanne gestured to Mr. Yaxley. "Joaquin, bring out another box." "Yes, Ma'am." Mr. Yaxley promptly turned to leave."Mom!" Eleanor couldn't keep it in any longer."Not everything is about money! What the miracle doctor needs is the Dragon Panax! He needs it to save lives, not some useless gold bars!""The Dragon Panax?" Joan
"The Iceheart Lotus and the Emerald Corolla," Dustin listed the herbs he needed.The Welch family was a notch above the Swanson family in terms of power and influence. As long as they put some effort into it, they should be able to get their hands on those herbs."Young man, you've got quite the appetite for good things, haven't you? The herbs you mentioned are precious herbs that are extremely valuable! Aren't you a bit greedy to be asking for three precious herbs in return for a formula?" Joanne's brow knitted together in displeasure."I can't say the same for other formulas, Mrs. Welch. But the formula for Dew Balm is definitely worth as much. The profit it can bring the Welch family certainly exceeds the value of those herbs," Dustin guaranteed."Is that so?" Joanne's gaze on Dustin was sharp as she tried to read his expression.However, there wasn't a hint of guilt in his eyes. He simply looked back at her boldly. And that was enough to tell Joanne that he wasn't lying. "
"I'm sorry, Dustin," Eleanor remorsefully said when they reached the gates. "The Dragon Panax should have been a gift. I didn't expect my mother to pull something like that and ruin my plan.""There is no need to apologize, Ms. Welch. Without your help, I would never have obtained the Dragon Panax, nor would I have been able to strike a deal with your mother. "This is the best outcome I could have asked for." Dustin chuckled.It was not a loss for him since he got the three precious herbs in exchange for a mere formula."You're alright with this?" Eleanor perked up."Of course." Dustin nodded, smiling."Hehe! I really like you, Dustin. You're a friend I'd like to keep!"Eleanor smiled, showing off her dimples. "You haven't had lunch yet, have you? Come on, I know a restaurant that serves really good food. Let's go!"With that, she dragged Dustin into her car.Just then, her phone started to ring. As she answered the call, a deep voice was heard saying, "Ms. Welch, we've got