Chapter 82
Chapter 82:
The servant hesitated before reaching into an apron pocket, pulling out a yellowed slip of paper. “She always tucked the prescription beneath the jars after mixing them. I thought it best to keep it safe p>
Leland took the note with trembling fingers. He scanned the list — each medicine named in Rylie’s steady handwriting was rarer and more potent than the last. Some of these herbs could fetch fortunes on the underground market. For Rylie, it seemed as ordinary as scribbling out a recipe for soup.
Just then, the call connected with a ping.
A crisp, cool voice from Aetheris Pharmacy answered, “Dr. Kirk, all of those ingredients were bought up by an anonymous client last year. And as you’re no longer a premium member at Aetheris, we won’t be able to assist you. Goodbye, and best of luck p>
Leland stared at his phone in horror. “No longer a member? How is that possible p>
He never got an explanation. The line went dead, leaving a heavy, anxious silence in the hospital room.
A vivid flash of memory seized Tessa — the dazzling spotlight at the mall, the deference shown to Rylie by every bodyguard. Her fingers clung to Leland’s coat, her voice shaking. “Rylie… she’s the Owen family’s daughter. She really is p>
Stillness pressed in on the hospital room, as heavy as a sealed crypt.
Leland’s frown deepened. After a long pause, he answered, “I’ve sensed for a while that Rylie was hiding something, but she’s been treating you and Nicolas for years. If she really belonged to the Owens, wouldn’t they have claimed her long ago? Why would they let her live with us all this time p>
Tessa gradually calmed down. “If that’s not the case, then where did she get all that money to buy us these precious medicines? Did she secretly embezzle funds from our company p>
Leland shook his head, weariness in his tone. “These prescriptions cost tens of millions, Mom. If she’d funneled it out of the family accounts, Dad and Nicolas would have caught on long ago. The only explanation is that Rylie’s truly exceptional — her medical expertise is world-renowned, respected even at Aetheris Pharmacy p>
He remembered running into Rylie at Aetheris and thinking that she had followed him there. Now, he realized that she must have been there for business — as a consultant, or perhaps even as their advisor.
Lɒtєѕτ чhɒρτєrѕ ιn gɑl𝑛οvєlѕ.сo𝓂
Regret hit hard as Leland realized how many chances he had missed, how easily he had been led by Stacey’s rumors.
Tessa was still trying to process it all. “But she’s so young! How could she be a medical expert p>
Their eyes met. Leland managed a rueful smile. “If there’s any hope for you and Nicolas, we’ll have to swallow our pride and ask Rylie for help. An apology might go a long way p>
In the past, a word from them could have prompted Rylie to help, but now Leland understood that Rylie had grown distant and might not be willing to assist.
Jaw clenched, Tessa refused to yield. “You want me to apologize? After all those years of raising her? She owes us! She should be the one thanking me and doing all she can to help us p>
Leland just sighed. “Let’s not fight about this now. In a few days p>