Mirabe took a quick look at the herbs, making sure everything was in order. She turned to Johnny and said, "I''ll take these back and start preparing the medicine. Swing by the school tomorrow around this time to pick it up."


    Johnny only knew Mirabe as a top-notch doctor and was surprised to learn she also made her own medicine. "Wait, Ms. Mirabe, you know how to prepare medicine too?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow.


    Realizing his question was a bit obvious, Johnny coughed and nodded, "Alright."


    "So, if there''s nothing else, I''ll head out?" Ever since Johnny moved to Riverdale with Owen, his days were packed. He couldn''t afford to give his political rivals any reason to gossip.


    Mirabe nced at the ck sedan parked by the curb and waved her hand, "Sure."


    "Okay." Johnny nodded and turned to leave, but then he stopped as if remembering something.


    After a moment''s thought, he turned back around, pointing at the box of herbs Mirabe was holding. "Oh, Ms. Mirabe, about theplete prescription you gave me, I haven''t shared it with anyone else."


    Mirabe looked at Johnny, momentarily taken aback before she smiled, not too worried, "That''s fine. Not everyone can understand my prescriptions anyway."


    The art of traditional medicine preparation isplex. The dosage, the control of heat, and the order in which ingredients are added can all affect the medicine''s effectiveness. Even with aplete recipe, sess isn''t guaranteed.


    This is why modern-day pharmacists are rare, and those who understand traditional recipes are even rarer.


    Feeling reassured by Mirabe''s response, Johnny quickly left.


    As Johnny''s car drove away, Mirabe, still holding the box, walked leisurely to the curb and approached the ck sedan. The passenger-side window rolled down slowly, revealing a handsome face with deep eyes that shimmered like clear, flowing water. Mirabe touched her nose before opening the passenger door and getting in.


    The car started moving slowly.


    "Did someonee looking for you?" James turned to nce at Mirabe and the box in her hands, his gaze sharpening slightly.


    "Yeah." Mirabe nodded, unconcernedly kicking the box under the seat. "You might remember, Owen''s secretary."


    James raised an eyebrow, his voice growing softer, "What did he want with you?"


    The window was still down, and Mirabe, with her armzily resting on the door frame, had a teasing smile on her face as she looked at James, responding, "A donation."


    No wonder she was in such a good mood.


    Realizing this, James felt a twinge of jealousy.


    He couldn''t evenpete with that money?


    Their mood was slightly dampened on the way back to the apartmentplex. When they got out of the car, Mirabe gave James a curious look. Was he having mood swings?


    Nick had been buried in hisb worktely, often not getting home until midnight, so Mirabe''s dinners were usually scavenged.


    Upon entering the house, Mirabe, as usual, changed her shoes and was about to settle in the living room to wait for food.


    But today, James pushed her towards the kitchen instead, where fresh vegetables wereid out on the counter. He handed her a pair of gloves, "Your task for today."


    Blinking in confusion, Mirabe looked down at the gloves in her hand, then back up at James, utterly shocked, "Me? Wash the veggies?"