“Mirabe, what brings you to the hospital?”


    Collins was in for a routine prescription pickup and to check on a pal, but bumping into Mirabe was a curveball. Hospitals aren’t exactly social hubs like malls, so he gave her the once–over before asking with genuine concern, “Are you feeling okay, Mirabe?”


    Mirabe nodded politely at Collins. “I’m fine. Just visiting a ssmate’s family member who’s under the weather.”


    “Gotcha,” Collins said with a grin. “Heading home now?”


    “Yep.”


    “Perfect timing–I’m about to take off, too. Mind if I give you a lift?” Collins offered warmly. Such a lovely youngdy shouldn’t wander home alone–it was not safe.


    “No need to trouble yourself. I’ll just hail a cab,” Mirabe declined, her expression cool and detached, practically screaming ‘Back off. We’re not tight.‘


    At that, Collins touched his nose, amused by the resemnce in the sibling’s frosty facades.


    He was about to speak again when his doctor buddy came hustling over, urgency written all over his face. “Collins, hold up, there’s something about your medication…”


    But the moment he caught sight of Mirabe, he mmed up, switching gears. “Ah, sorry, am I interrupting?”


    Collins snapped back to reality. “Not at all.” But considering the pills were a gift from Mirabe… Collins cleared his throat and suggested, “Let’s talk in your office.<b>” </b>


    The doctor nodded. “Sure thing.”


    However, instead of leading Collins to his own office, the doctor headed for Dr. Ray’s office. Though puzzled, Collins didn’t question it.


    Inside Dr. Ray’s office, there was also a silver–haired elder, who stood up from the sofa ast Collins entered. His eyes were locked on Collins, and in his hand, he held one of the ‘Vitality‘ pills.


    “Where did you get this medication?” asked the elder, none other than Niki, who had previously appraised scents for James. He and Dr. Ray were old friends and had run into Collins while discussing some business.


    Collins‘ gazended on the pill in Niki’s hand, pausing before he replied, “A friend gave it to me.”


    At that, Niki’s excitement intensified. “Does your friend have a background in pharmacology? Could you introduce us?”


    Watching this unfold, Dr. Ray was taken aback by Niki’s fervor–it was a side of his longtime


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    friend he’d rarely seen. His attention shifted back to the tiny pill nestled in Niki’s hand.


    What was so special about this pill?


    Collins couldn’t fathom why the old man was so worked up, but it was clear he knew something about the medication Mirabe had provided.


    “My friend isn’t a pharmacologist. But what exactly does this pill do? Is it safe for someone with spinal nerve damage? Will there be any side effects?” Collins rattled off his questions, his main concern evident.


    At the mention of side effects, Niki’s gaze at Collins shifted. Had his own protege spoken so ignorantly, he might have been tempted to reach for a stick to set him straight.


    Such precious medicine was in the hands of a clueless buffoon!