"Yanne? Ashton?" Alora's mood instantly sour. Seeing her ex-husband strolling around with another woman had dampened her spirits. Furthermore, given the tumultuous events that had unfolded since their divorce just a few weeks ago, Alora was not just upset; she felt utterly betrayed and uncomfortable."What's up, Alora? Who are you looking at? Someone you know?" Florence and Hugo caught up from behind.With just a glance, Florence immediately spotted Ashton, and her smile vanished instantly. "Levin?""Why do we see him wherever we go? Does he have a nose for sniffing us out?""Missus Latham, Alora, who are you talking about?" Hugo stepped forward, smiling curiously."Who else?" Florence gestured toward Ashton's retreating figure. "Alora's ex-husband. The good-for-nothing leech who's been freeloading off the Latham family for years."Hugo's expression instantly turned icy, and a sneer crept across his lips. "Ex-husband?""Mom! He saved Grandpa. You don't have to speak so harshly,"
Inside the box was not a reishi mushroom. It was black and yellow and even oozed a bit of a viscous green fluid. It was utterly disgusting.Is that what they call a snowy reishi mushroom?Alora did not know much about medicinal ingredients, but her intuition told her she had been duped."Mister Yoder, I think you've cheated me," Alora seethed, throwing the box back onto the counter. "Is this what you call a reishi mushroom for 450 thousand dollars?"Mister Yoder was taken aback. "What are you talking about, Miss Latham? This is an 80-year-old snowy reishi mushroom. It's of premium quality. How did I cheat you?"Hugo laughed. "Are you sure about that? I've served in the military for nine years and have been on several special operations. I've been to all the dangerous places within our borders and was fortunate to see a top-grade snowy reishi mushroom in the Mount Cayambe region. A snowy reishi mushroom should be crystal clear, with a transparent core and reddish base, exuding a fr
"It seems I was right after all," Ashton said, smiling as he gently blew away the decaying skin. It was truly a treasure. The aroma was intoxicating."What is that?" Florence stammered, her hand trembling as she held the bank card with 700 thousand dollars.Alora's gaze was fully captured as well."Did you know that this was special all along? Did you intentionally trick my mother out of 700 thousand dollars?""Trick?" Ashton looked at her in surprise, shaking his head. "How did a legal transaction become a trickery? Even if I had not bought it, your mother was planning to return it, right? Shouldn't you be grateful I paid her an extra 300 thousand dollars?"Alora's expression stiffened.Indeed, her mother had been planning to give it back. And knowing her nature, even if she could not return it, she would have just tossed it in the trash."Furthermore, I only guessed that it was special. I can only say now that I was right," Ashton said."So, what is this, Ash?" Yanne asked cu
A desire to laugh unexpectedly gripped Ashton.They were no longer related to each other, yet she wanted to purchase the item, paying just a minimal fraction of the price? What did she take him for?Ashton shook his head. "I was the one who treated your grandfather. I know his condition well. He does need nutritional supplements after being discharged, but he does not need this."He can recover just as well with common supplements like angelica or ginseng."This is a life-saving medicine. There's no reason I should give it to you."Move aside."Holding Yanne's hand, Ashton nodded to the store owner and left the store amidst the crowd's stares."You'll pay for this," Hugo growled, picking himself up from the ground and wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes tracking Ashton and Yanne as they left."Don't go! The reishi mushroom is mine. Give it back!" Florence was furious, but Alora grabbed her by the clothes before she could give chase."Enough!" Alora snapped.
"What do you think you are? You tell us to disband, and we should just do it? Do you have any idea what we've contributed to this company? We're the company's backbone; what gives you the right to say that?"Several researchers were unhappy and furious, their eyes fixed intently on Ashton.The group would have rushed up and torn the other party apart if Aerin had not interfered."What's this?" Aerin had someone bring over the white jade bottle."Open it and see for yourself." Ashton leaned back in his chair, sipping his tea.When they opened the bottle, an exotic fragrance filled the air, unfolding in everyone's nostrils—a mix of lily and a milk-like scent akin to a toddler's smell.Tipping the bottle, out came several thumb-sized pills."I call these Active Reviving Pills. Their purpose is simple—eliminate the pigments and toxic substances in the skin, rejuvenating its elasticity and glow, making it supple."The air in the conference room turned quiet. Moments later, everyone
"Miss Blau, you're an intelligent woman. You can't possibly believe that I'm giving you these Active Reviving Pills for free," Ashton said."You want to use Anthony as leverage to have me work for the Acton Chamber of Commerce for free. Do you think such a deal exists?""I do not understand what you are talking about," Aerin said, retracting her hand. Her eyes looked icy, and the atmosphere in the conference hall suddenly became tense."Very well, let me clarify," Ashton said."I can give you the formula and the simplified production method, but I have two conditions."First, remove Anthony from the Acton Chamber of Commerce."Second, I want two medicinal ingredients that are at least 300 years old or one that is over 500 years old."The entire conference hall fell into a hushed silence.It was madness—trying to haggle with Miss Blau while making such audacious demands. Anthony served as the Acton Chamber of Commerce spokesperson in Edren Country and was critical to the organiz
Switched off?Ashton dialed several times. He also tried calling her best friend, Gwen, but her phone was switched off.What was going on?"Mister Levin, how did it go? We must leave immediately. Otherwise, something terrible might happen," Xavier Lockwood said.Rather than responding hastily, Ashton called Aunt Theresa and Anthony to inquire and provide instructions about Yanne's performance. Anthony promptly assured him that he would attend Yanne's performance in his stead. Relieved, Ashton was temporarily at ease.A 700-year-old ancient medicine was almost a king of medicine.A 500-year-old ingredient was qualified as ancient medicine, an 800-year-old one was a king of medicine, and a 1000-year-old one was a magical remedy—a lifeform in itself.Such a treasure, if missed, could never be bought again, not even with all the money in the world.With the Starflower, he could brew a panacea capable of fundamentally transforming Yanne and Aunt Theresa's constitutions, ensuring the
A glint appeared in Gwen's eye as she laughed. "Absolutely. If he's not jealous, he'll think you're cheap.'"Nobody treasures something easily attainable. Make him realize he could lose you anytime, and then he'll truly cherish you."Yanne pursed her lips, seemingly agreeing with Gwen's perspective. Had Ashton been so obsessed with Alora all these years because she never truly cared for him and instead had ambiguous relationships with other men?"Yanne, trust me. As women, we need to take control. We can't let men lead us around by the nose," Gwen said."Alright, I'm going to change." Yanne sighed and turned to enter the cabin. The conversation had left her feeling oppressed. As a woman—or more precisely, as a young woman—she wished to be the focus of her lover's attention. However, given her upbringing and moral boundaries, she would not betray or hurt Ashton.Inside the restroom, Yanne was studying her reflection when she suddenly froze. Behind her stood a man. He was staring in