Asher had raised his voice not to <b>dismiss </b>thepany but merely to remind Mirabe of her standing. It wasn’t intended as a harsh eviction, after all. The Reeves family had always ced a high value on proper


    etiquette.


    He straightened up, dropping his arms from their folded position, <b>and </b>without another word, made his way towards the exit.


    The butler, seeing this, wiped the sweat from his brow and turned his attention back to Mirabe, whispering, “Ms. Mirabe, Mr. Asher can be a bit blunt. He didn’t mean any harm–please, don’t take it to heart.”


    Mirabe stepped through the threshold with a slight arch of her brow, murmuring an acknowledgment.


    Soon after, the butler led Mirabe into the grand living room. Beside Niki sat an unfamiliar middle–aged man–roughly in his thirties–with a rugged brow and <b>a </b>serious mien, exuding an unmistakable aura of authority.


    Mirabe cast him a brief nce before turning her attention away.


    “Ms. Mirabe, you’ve finally arrived,” said Niki, his face lighting up with relief.


    He stood up and turned to introduce her to the stern–faced man, “This is the medical prodigy I’ve told you about, Miss Mirabe Davis.”


    The man’s piercing gazended on Mirabe, his expression stern as if he were sizing up a suspect. Yet, in the face of his scrutiny, Mirabe remained as serene as ever, not betraying a hint of intimidation. This surprised him, though his brows furrowed in doubt, and he turned back to Niki. “Are you certain she’s… suitable?”


    He had heard so much about this young friend from Niki that he had begun to harbor some hope. However, seeing her in person, he hadn’t expected Niki’s friend to be so youthful–barely seventeen or eighteen.


    It wasn’t that he meant to belittle her, but at such an age, and a youngdy no less, how proficient could she be in medicine?


    A tinge of disappointment crossed Johnny’s eyes. Pressing a hand to his forehead, he didn’t wait for Niki to respond before saying. “Didn’t Dane say he was almost home? I think I’ll wait for Dane to treat my husband.”


    Niki understood that Johnny’s reluctance stemmed from seeing Mirabe as just a young girl. He had Intentionally hinted at her youth earlier, hoping to prevent this exact situation, but it seemed his efforts


    were in vain.


    ncing at Mirabe, concerned she might just walk out, Niki cleared his throat and said to Johnny. “Trust me, Johnny, Mirabe’s skills in medicine are beyond mine.”


    After a pause, Johnny replied, “Let’s wait for Dane.”


    The prestige of being a mid–level apothecary from the Riverdale Pharmacists‘ Guild spoke volumes about Dane’s capabilities. Johnny couldn’t risk his employer’s well–being on an unknown girl. It was too much of a gamble.


    Niki approached Mirabe and whispered, “Ms. Mirabe, may we have a word in private?”


    Unruffled by Johnny’s barely concealed contempt, Mirabe calmly studied Niki’s worried face and agreed, “Of course.”