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The Ascent of Jeffery Flamel; Restoring Alchemy's Legacy CHAPTER 24
Luca shoved Aadam back, his hand darting up in a middle finger. “Fuck you, Aadam. Are you wishing for a death sentence?” he growled in fury.Aadam blinked, bewildered by the sudden shift. “What? What’s your problem?”Luca stepped closer, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “The Rita you’re talking about—the one you want to ‘deal with’—she’s the princess of the Stirling family. One of their heirs. Are you out of your mind?”Aadam’s smirk faltered, his confidence cracking under Luca’s glare. “That’s not possible,” he stammered, trying to laugh it off. “You’re pulling my leg, aren’t you? Come on, Luca. Don’t joke about something like this.”Cora gasped audibly, clutching Aadam’s arm."No, it can’t be true,” she said in disbelief. Her eyes darted between Luca and Rita, desperation creeping into her voice. “Jeffery wouldn’t be acquainted with someone like her. There’s no way. Perhaps you’re mistaken, Luca.”Luca turned his gaze to her, his expression darkening with pure disgust. “Mi
The Ascent of Jeffery Flamel; Restoring Alchemy's Legacy CHAPTER 25
The microphone crackled, and the room fell silent. Cora turned toward the stage, her eyes narrowing as Rita Stirling stepped into the spotlight.Rita stood tall and confident, her shimmering dress catching the light. She looked flawless, drawing everyone’s attention with ease.“She’s beautiful,” someone whispered nearby.“A true goddess,” another added.Cora’s fists clenched as she listened. She hated how effortlessly Rita commanded the room, how everyone seemed to adore her.Rita raised a hand, silencing the murmurs. “Thank you all for being here tonight. It’s an honor to welcome you.” Her voice was clear and graceful.The crowd watched her, captivated. But Cora’s focus shifted to Jeffery, standing near the stage. He smiled at Rita, the kind of smile Cora hadn’t seen in years.Her stomach churned with jealousy. “Bitch,” she muttered under her breathThe word was quiet, but the room was so still that a few people nearby heard it. Gasps followed, and heads turned to look at her.The a
The Ascent of Jeffery Flamel; Restoring Alchemy's Legacy CHAPTER 26
Rita’s gaze swept across the room, her smile calm, every movement intentional. Aadam sat up straighter, his chest tightening with excitement. When her eyes lingered on him, he felt sure—he was the one.The room fell silent, everyone waiting. Aadam’s mind raced. This was it. All his planning, charm, and effort were about to pay off.Rita’s voice was steady, her words clear. “The young man I am referring to is…”She paused, her tone filled with purpose. “He is both innovative and talented. He represents the future of leadership.”Aadam’s confidence grew. Her gaze hadn’t left him, and he relaxed slightly in his seat."It’s me," he thought. "It has to be."The idea of someone else, especially Jeffery, being chosen was ridiculous. Aadam glanced at him—standing stiffly near the back with a drink in his hand. Jeffery Flamel? A nobody. He had no backbone and let women walk all over him. Aadam smirked. There was no competition.Even if, somehow, it wasn’t him, Aadam told himself he’d adapt. He
The Ascent of Jeffery Flamel; Restoring Alchemy's Legacy CHAPTER 27
Cora shook her head, forcing herself to believe she hadn’t made a mistake. I didn’t choose wrong, she thought. Jeffery was just a pretty face with no real worth. She glanced at Aadam, her confidence wavering but clinging to the choice she had made.Jeffery would never amount to anything.The room buzzed with whispers, everyone focused on Jeffery and Rita. Then, Rita did something unexpected.She turned to face Jeffery and reached out, adjusting his crooked bowtie.The crowd froze. Gasps and murmurs spread like wildfire. The young men in the room stiffened, their faces showing shock and disbelief.Questions rippled through the crowd, hushed murmurs and surprised glances exchanged. Who was this man? The idea of Rita Stirling, always so poised and untouchable, being so gentle and intimate with someone like Jeffery was unthinkable.As the attention shifted to him, Jeffery’s cheeks flushed. He shifted uncomfortably under the weight of the gaze but quickly masked his uncertainty.Rita n
The Ascent of Jeffery Flamel; Restoring Alchemy's Legacy CHAPTER 28
All eyes turned to Cora. Her face turned bright red, her expression frozen.She hadn’t meant to say that out loud.Whispers spread quickly through the crowd. Some people muttered that she must be crazy. Others whispered about how embarrassing it was.Rita didn’t wait for the room to settle. She walked to the microphone, her eyes locked on Cora.“Miss Cora,” she said sharply. “If you’re going to insult someone, at least stand by your words. Go on. Say it again—if you’re brave enough.”Her words hit hard, and the crowd grew silent. Rita’s glare was cold and fierce, daring Cora to respond.Cora’s mouth opened as if she wanted to argue back. Anger flashed in her eyes, but before she could say anything, Aadam grabbed her arm and covered her mouth.His face was pale, and he was clearly panicking. “She didn’t mean it,” he said quickly. “You know how she gets sometimes. Please, Miss Stirling, forgive her.”Rita raised an eyebrow and gave a cold laugh.“Control your dog, Aadam,” she said, he
The Ascent of Jeffery Flamel; Restoring Alchemy's Legacy CHAPTER 29
Jeffery’s gaze settled on the man, calm and unshaken by the pressure in the room. He studied him for a moment, his sharp eyes taking in subtle details.“Have you been feeling unwell lately?” Jeffery asked, his tone even. “Maybe a cough? Or some chest pain?”The older man frowned, his expression hardening. “What are you implying? Are you a doctor?”Jeffery gave a small shrug. “No, not exactly. I used to be a vet.”A murmur of disbelief rippled through the crowd. The man’s face twisted with outrage, but he held his composure, likely out of respect for Rita.“A vet?” he said, his voice dripping with disdain. “You expect me to take medical advice from someone who treats animals?”Jeffery met his scornful gaze without flinching. “I understand your hesitation,” he said calmly. “But I’d still suggest getting your lungs checked. Delaying could lead to something serious.”The man scoffed, his irritation barely concealed. “For your information, I had a full-body checkup just last week. Every
The Ascent of Jeffery Flamel; Restoring Alchemy's Legacy CHAPTER 30
Aadam’s jaw tightened as Cora continued her tirade. Her voice grated on him, and he couldn’t help but wonder, for the hundredth time, how he’d ever been involved with her. He glared at her, his eyes sharp with warning, but she ignored him, her lips curling into a smug smile.Rita’s gaze flicked to Cora, her expression calm but her eyes cold. “Is that so?” she said evenly, stepping down from the stage.The room went silent. All eyes were on Rita as she crossed the floor.She stopped in front of Cora, her presence commanding.“What did you just say?” Rita asked quietly.Cora smirked, tilting her chin defiantly. “I said—”Before she could finish, Rita’s hand connected with her cheek in a sharp slap. The sound echoed across the room. Gasps rippled through the crowd as Cora’s head snapped to the side, her hand flying to her stinging cheek.The room remained heavy with silence, the sharp sound of the slap still ringing in the air. Rita’s gaze didn’t waver as she stared down at Cora.“
The Ascent of Jeffery Flamel; Restoring Alchemy's Legacy CHAPTER 31
The celebration carried on, with Rita introducing Jeffery to influential guests. He noticed how some young, eligible men shot him glares, clearly envious of the attention Rita was giving him. He ignored them. The female guests were equally interested, but none held his gaze—none could match Rita’s splendor.As the night wound down, guests left one after another until only Rita, Jeffery, and Mr. Prescott remained in the manor.Rita sat with Prescott, discussing matters in low tones, while Jeffery stood off to the side, sipping his wine. His eyes never left Prescott’s chest. The black smoke curling from the old man’s lungs was worse than before—thicker, heavier. Decay was setting in fast.Jeffery exhaled sharply and set his glass down. He had to say something.“Your lungs are deteriorating,” he stated flatly, cutting through the quiet. “You need immediate treatment.”Prescott’s expression darkened. He turned to Jeffery, his jaw tight.“I’ve had enough of your nonsense,” he snapped. “Yo
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CHAPTER 49
Jeffery’s face remained stoic, but a sharp, searing pain lanced through his chest. He didn’t let it show—couldn’t let it show. His jaw tightened imperceptibly as he processed Bob’s words. How the hell did Bob know about his past? About her? His mind raced, but his expression betrayed nothing. He was a fortress, unyielding and impenetrable.Then Bob raised his hand, signaling someone forward. Jeffery’s eyes flicked to the side, and his blood ran cold.Aadam and Cora stepped into view, their faces adorned with wicked, triumphant smiles. Cora, his ex-wife, looked as polished and cruel as ever, her eyes gleaming with malice. Aadam stood beside her, his smirk dripping with arrogance.Jeffery’s fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. He didn’t move, didn’t speak. He just watched, his gaze icy, as they approached.Bob turned to Cora and Aadam, his voice dripping with mockery. “So, tell me, when did you two start deceiving Jeffery here? Cora, when did you realize he
CHAPTER 48
The surrounding conversations quieted as Bob stood before Jeffery, his glare sharp with hostility. But Jeffery, unfazed, met his gaze with a bored expression, as if Bob was nothing more than a mild inconvenience.Bob’s sneer deepened. “I don’t remember giving you an invitation,” he spat. “Why the hell is a worthless nobody like you at my party?”Jeffery barely reacted. He tilted his head slightly, his voice calm. “I’m here representing Rita Stirling. Is that a problem?”Bob’s sneer faltered, his face twisting with barely restrained rage. His fists clenched at his sides, jealousy burning in his eyes.“You?” he barked. “Who the hell gave you the right to represent Rita? I never gave you permission to be here!”Jeffery smirked. “I didn’t ask for your permission.” He leaned back lazily. “But if you want me gone, go ahead. Just don’t expect Rita to accept any of your invitations in the future.”Bob’s entire body tensed. A vein throbbed at his temple, his face darkening with fury.The crow
CHAPTER 47
Steve’s brows furrowed as he studied Jeffery. “You’re really not worried?”Jeffery chuckled, shaking his head. “Should I be?”Steve let out a frustrated breath. “You don’t know what kind of bastard Bob is. He doesn’t just hold grudges—he enjoys crushing people. He won’t let you walk out of here with your dignity intact.”Jeffery tilted his head in amusement. “That’s assuming he can do anything to me in the first place.”Steve gritted his teeth. “You’re underestimating him.” He leaned in, voice low. “Bob isn’t just some trust-fund brat who throws tantrums. His family has deep connections. If he wants to ruin someone, he doesn’t have to lift a finger—his people will handle it for him.”Jeffery remained silent, watching Steve with mild interest.Steve sighed, rubbing his temple. “You don’t know the things they’ve done to my family. The Prescots have been trying to suffocate our business for years. They spread false rumors, bribed officials, even blackmailed some of our key investors.
CHAPTER 46
Cora gave a slow nod, a satisfied smile curving her lips. "Smart move, Aadam. Aligning with Bob will open doors for you."She turned thoughtful, her eyes scanning the glittering ballroom. Then, as if struck by a thought, she asked, "Between the Prescots and the Stirlings, who holds more power?"Aadam exhaled, shaking his head. "That’s like comparing a chicken to a phoenix. The Prescots may have influence here, but the Stirlings? They operate on a whole different level—global connections, old money, untouchable power."But then, his lips curled into a smirk, his tone turning sly. "Speaking of power, did you know Bob’s got a thing for Rita Stirling? He’s been after her for ages, even came back to Oakland because of all the rumors surrounding her and Jeffery."Cora's eyes widened, excitement flashing in them. "Wait—so that bastard Jeffery… does this mean he's in trouble?"Aadam chuckled, a dark glint in his gaze. "Bingo. Bob’s not the type to take no for an answer, especially when it
CHAPTER 45
A few days later, Jeffery sat in his study, crafting more Vireon pills. His hands moved with precision—measuring, grinding, refining.The Xiangling grass had done more than expected. His cultivation had soared, strength humming beneath his skin.He flexed his fingers, watching faint arcs of golden energy flicker along his knuckles.His senses had sharpened—he could hear the subtle crackling of the flame, feel the shift in air currents, even sense the faint spiritual resonance of the herbs before him.It was intoxicating.A grin tugged at his lips.This was power.A sharp ringtone cut through the quiet.Jeffery grabbed his phone. Rita.He answered."Rita."“Hey, Jeffery. Hope I’m not disturbing you.”He set his tools aside. “Not at all.”They exchanged brief pleasantries before Rita got to the point. “Bob’s hosting a cocktail party. He invited me, but I don’t want to go. I want you to attend in my place.”Jeffery frowned. Bob—that self-centered, bratty rival of his.The last time the
CHAPTER 44
Jeffery leaned back in his chair, studying Rita carefully. She was serious about this.Not just in an opportunistic way—this was a calculated move, a long-term play.He folded his arms. “Alright, let’s talk logistics. You want mass production? That means ingredients. Some of these aren’t exactly stocked on pharmacy shelves.”Rita smiled. “That’s where I come in. I have connections. People who can get us the materials, no matter how rare.”Jeffery arched a brow. “At what cost?”She shrugged. “Does it matter?”He smirked. “To you? No. To me? It affects production timelines, quality control, consistency.”She nodded, appreciating his thoroughness. “That’s why you’ll handle refining. I’ll make sure the supply never runs dry.”Jeffery drummed his fingers on the table, thinking. “Scaling up isn’t just about having materials. It’s about ensuring every single pill is as potent as the first batch.”Rita leaned forward. “Then we control the process. Small-batch production, limited supply at fir
CHAPTER 43
Bob’s jaw tightened, his rage barely contained. "You bastard. You’ll pay for this."Jeffery let out a slow, mocking clap. ."Big words from a man who just got exposed as a fraud." His smirk deepened. "Tell me, Bob, does it sting? Watching your carefully planned act crumble in front of everyone?"Bob inhaled sharply, forcing himself to keep his temper in check. His fists ached to swing, but he held back. Instead, he sneered. "What fucking trick did you pull? How the hell did you get Rita on your side so fast?"Jeffery snorted. "Unlike you, I don’t deceive her." He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I treat her like a real friend. And yeah, I like her. Not for her money, not for her name, but for who she is. That’s the difference between us."Bob let out a sharp, hysterical laugh. "You expect me to believe that? Please. We both know you’re just Rita’s boy toy, clinging to her power and wealth like a leech."Jeffery tilted his head, unfazed. "Bob, let’s be honest here. Even if I w
CHAPTER 42
Bob forced a laugh, though his face betrayed his unease. “Rita, don’t listen to him. He’s just trying to humiliate me. I would never get you something fake.”But Rita’s expression didn’t change. Her gaze was steady, unreadable, and that silence—heavy, expectant—made his heart pound.A bead of sweat rolled down his temple. He swallowed hard.Damn it.His mind raced back to the purchase. He never got it at an auction. That was just something he said to make it sound prestigious. The truth? He’d bought it for thirty thousand dollars in a dingy little antique shop run by some foreigner. The only expensive part of the gift was the box—five thousand dollars for packaging alone, just to make it look high-end.At the time, he thought it was a steal. Now, it felt like a noose tightening around his neck.How the hell did Jeffery know?Shame burned through him, hot and unbearable. His ears rang. He clenched his fists, rage bubbling beneath the surface. He spun toward Jeffery, his voice sha
CHAPTER 41
Jeffery’s nose twitched. He couldn’t be mistaken. The faint scent wafting from the box was unmistakable. Xuanling Jade Grass. Rich in mana of heaven and earth.He inhaled deeper, and immediately, a wave of calm swept over him. His body, tense with restraint moments ago, seemed to relax of its own accord. The pressure in his chest loosened. He could already feel the power of the herb, the potency of its cultivation potential, as if the mana inside was already feeding his own energy reserves.If consumed, this grass would offer him the equivalent of half a year’s worth of cultivation. For Jeffery, a rare treasure like this was invaluable. It was an investment—one that would elevate his abilities beyond measure. And he needed it. Badly.Rita hesitated, her fingers hovering over the black box. “I don’t need this, Bob,” she said softly.Bob, however, wasn’t deterred. “You’ll thank me later,” he pressed, eyes glinting with barely contained anticipation. He leaned forward slightly, t
