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Novel Catalog
Chapter 67: Mr. Yarwood’s Message
Wynter remained silent, chewing her gum and casually glancing at the pendulum clock on the wall. The rhythmic ticking seemed to mock the tense atmosphere in the room.
Hilda, believing she had intimidated Wynter into submission, confidently took Yvette’s hand and sat back in her chair. But Yvette, despite her composed exterior, couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling churning within her. Perhaps it was the thought of meeting Mr. Yarwood soon, or maybe it was the realization that the Zenith herb was the only card they had to get closer to the Yarwoods.
Under the watchful eyes of the room, Theo slowly took the wooden box containing the precious Zenith herb. Whispers of envy and admiration spread through the crowd, and many were already preparing to congratulate Hilda in advance for her supposed success.
But instead of the expected praise, Theo’s voice rang out, calm yet resolute. “Although the Yarwoods aren’t benevolent, we can’t take anything we shouldn’t. Life and death are determined by fate. The Zenith herb is indeed rare, but I can’t accept it.”
The words hit like a thunderclap.
For a long moment, everyone was stunned into silence. Even Wynter raised an eyebrow in surprise, her gaze shifting to Theo as she took in his words. She studied him carefully, trying to understand what was happening.
Theo placed the wooden box back on the table with deliberate slowness, then raised his right hand. Almost as if on cue, a few words appeared on the wall in front of him: I don’t want it.
The crowd stared, their eyes wide. The words were simple, but they carried a weight that no one could ignore. Theo’s message was clear, and his indifference was palpable.
Wynter’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. It seemed that Mr. Yarwood had spoken directly, his decision communicated through the wall as much as through his own words.
Theo let out a laugh, the sound echoing throughout the room. “It seems that my grandson has the same answer as me!”
The room fell even quieter, with people exchanging uncertain glances.
“Mr. Yarwood Senior,” Hilda’s voice trembled, but she quickly masked it with feigned confidence. “This is the Zenith herb! Do you understand how many people want it? Doesn’t Mr. Yarwood need it?”
Theo stood leaning on his dragon cane, his expression unreadable. His decision had clearly been made, but the weight of it still lingered in the air. On one hand, he longed to heal his beloved grandson. On the other, he had a strict code of ethics that prevented him from accepting something with an “unknown origin.” The conflict had torn at him, but now that he had made his choice, he felt a strange relief.
“He has his destiny,” Theo said simply, as if that was all that needed to be said.
Hilda stood frozen, her mind scrambling to comprehend what had just transpired. This was not the outcome she had anticipated. The Zenith herb, so rare and valuable, had been rejected, and the Yarwoods had done so because of its unclear origins.
Her breathing became shallow, and the humiliation was almost too much to bear. The room seemed to close in around her, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on her shoulders.
“Mr. Yarwood Senior…” George began, but Hilda interrupted him with a forced laugh, trying to regain control of the situation. “That’s fine. I understand that the Yarwoods have rules. Since it inconveniences the Yarwoods to accept it, I’ll keep it for an emergency.”
She turned to Yvette, her voice regaining its poise. “Yve, what do you think?”
Yvette, eager to please, quickly jumped in. “The Zenith herb is a rare life-saving medicine. Its value will be even greater in your hands, Madam Gibson.”
She smiled, knowing full well that this moment was important. She needed to stay on Hilda’s side and cement her place as an ally.
“Mr. Yarwood’s disease can also be treated with other methods, such as the medicine you developed overseas,” Yvette added, playing her part.
The room’s focus shifted back to the Gibsons, and a wave of admiration swept through the crowd. Of course, the Zenith herb was valuable, but now that the Yarwoods had rejected it, it only increased the herb’s mystique. Even without it, the Gibsons had enough power to potentially heal Theo. If the Heavenly Medical Guild found out about this, the Gibsons could find themselves back in their good graces.
“Of course, the Gibsons are too awesome!” someone whispered, awed by the sheer influence they commanded.
“Compared to people who only know how to be jealous, it’s better to be like Dr. Gibson, who’s been doing research and development,” another murmured, casting a glance at Wynter. “She’s saved countless cancer patients!”
Wynter, however, didn’t react to the whispered remarks. She remained aloof, her attention on the ticking of the clock. She had no interest in engaging with the flattery and the glares. She was only waiting for the right moment.
A minute later, she looked at her watch, a slight smile playing at the corner of her lips as she silently counted down the seconds.
“3, 2, 1. Time’s up.”
At that precise moment, the focus in the room shifted. Hilda and George, enjoying the admiration of the others, were completely unaware that the game had changed. They were too distracted by their own supposed victory, while Wynter remained unshaken, her calm presence serving as a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around her.
