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Novel Catalog
Chapter 41: Meeting The Family?
“Don’t say too much,” Dalton whispered, his voice low yet carrying an undeniable charm. His appearance remained as striking as ever, with an air of quiet sophistication that contrasted sharply with the simplicity of his surroundings.
Margaret, ever the gracious host, wheeled herself closer to them with a warm smile. “It’s the first time Wynter has brought friends to the medicine store. You kids have fun.” She looked over at Dalton and the others. “There’s tea in the courtyard. Drink it up to help with digestion. I’ll go out and buy some shrimp to cook for you.”
Margaret had a sharp eye for people. She could tell that this young man, Dalton, was no ordinary person. There was something about him that didn’t quite fit the mold of a typical friend. But seeing Wynter bring someone home made her heart swell with happiness. In the past, Wynter had been distant, reluctant to stay here because of the smell of herbs. Her classmates had teased her, so she never wanted to linger or stay for meals.
Wynter used to visit Margaret in secret, careful not to let anyone know. She feared Wanda would scold her when she returned home, and Margaret understood that. Despite having raised Wynter, she knew her granddaughter felt closer to her mother, and Wanda likely didn’t have kind things to say about her.
As the years passed, Wynter’s visits became even more infrequent, sometimes only once every six months. She always claimed to be too busy. But that all changed three months ago when Wynter had an accident and hurt her head. Not only did her personality seem to shift, but she also helped renovate the medicine store. Margaret was content with how things had turned out, never imagining Wynter would follow in her footsteps. Margaret had raised her, and she knew that her granddaughter didn’t truly have the knack for it. But it didn’t matter. What mattered was that Wynter was starting to settle down, and Margaret was happy to see her grandchild surrounded by people who genuinely cared.
“These young men seem nice,” Margaret thought, watching Wynter interact with Dalton and the others. At least they were still spending time with her granddaughter, despite the difference in their backgrounds. The people from their old social circle had long disappeared the moment Wynter stepped away from it. She hoped this new company would bring some light into Wynter’s life.
Ethan, who was usually so composed, couldn’t help but soften at Margaret’s warmth. Even he couldn’t maintain his stern demeanor in the face of her kindness. He turned to Dalton, who gave a faint nod of acknowledgment.
Dalton, however, was far more cautious when it came to food. His sensitive stomach meant that he couldn’t risk eating anything outside, especially with his health always under scrutiny. If anything went wrong, it would reflect badly on Ethan’s ability to manage his care.
But Wynter, noticing the tension, smiled. “Grandma, they all want to eat. Please buy more. And get a pumpkin. I want to make porridge.”
Ethan, wanting to refuse, opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Dalton’s calm voice. “We’ll bother you then, ma’am,” he said politely, his smile never faltering. His manners were impeccable as he looked at Margaret. “Let Ethan help. He can carry things.”
Margaret waved off the suggestion, her voice light. “No need. You kids chat. I need to move around a bit.”
Ethan was about to protest but found himself unable to say anything, his usual poise slipping in the face of her insistence.
Wynter chuckled, trying to ease the situation. “Grandma and Susan Perry go to the market together every day. You don’t need to go.”
“Exactly. Us old folks have our friendships too,” Margaret replied, a mischievous glint in her eye as she picked up an eco-friendly plastic bag. She muttered to herself as she headed toward the door, “It’s just that Wolf isn’t here to boil the water. He’s been gone since yesterday, probably off picking mushrooms on some hill again.”
It was the season for fresh mushrooms in Southdale, and Margaret wasn’t worried. After all, many of the kids Wolf’s age went up to the hills around this time of year, so she wasn’t concerned about his absence.
As Margaret left the room, Dr. Lopez leaned in a bit closer to Wynter, his curiosity piqued. “Dr. Genius, why do I feel like I’ve seen your grandma somewhere before?”
Wynter’s expression shifted slightly, and she answered quickly, “You must be mistaken.” Her tone was polite but firm, making it clear she didn’t want to discuss it further.
Dr. Lopez hesitated, wiping his glasses. Could he have been mistaken? He thought back to the other woman he’d encountered before—a quack who had been linked to a patient’s death. That couldn’t possibly be Dr. Genius’s grandma, could it?
