"Why are you bringing this up?" Niki asked, his voice steady, a man who always held firm to his principles. Even though Emmitt had been with the Pharmacists'' Association for years, Niki knew his son''s nature inside out.


    There had to be some hidden motive behind this.


    Dane grinned, trying to downy it. "Oh, nothing major. It''s just that this youngdy is something else. Dad, you might not know, but she''s now the vice president of the Pharmacists'' Association."


    Niki was taken aback for a moment, but recalling the medicine Mirabe had crafted, he quickly pieced it together.


    After a pause to gather his thoughts, he let out a sharp snort. "And? You want me to pull some strings for you? Have you already forgotten aboutst year when you used her form without asking?"


    Hearing the old story brought up again, Dane''s patience thinned. "How many times have I said it? If she shared the form with us, what''s wrong with me using it to produce medicine?"


    Was it really necessary to keep calling it ''stealing''?


    Dane thought his father was hopelessly old-fashioned, clinging to this outdated sense of honesty and integrity. Couldn''t he see the times had changed? Following those old rules would have had you booted from the Pharmacists'' Association ages ago.


    "You''re just like Asher, your thinking''s twisted," Niki snapped, his anger bubbling over.


    He had suspected Zach of having shady intentions, but Emmitt seemed no better. Dane sighed, shaking his head. Remembering Presley''s advice, he swallowed his irritation. "Alright, alright, I was wrong. You''re right, as always."


    Not wanting to dive into another pointless argument, Niki looked out the car window, seeking calm.


    Dane rubbed his temples and, after a moment, softened his voice. "Okay, Dad, there''s something I need to ask her, and I need your help to make the connection."


    As expected.


    Niki turned back with a stoic expression. "Don''t even think about it."


    Seeing his father dismiss him without a second thought, Dane felt his temper re. He pulled the car over, flicked on the interior light, and turned to face his father. "Can''t you at least hear me out before shutting me down?"


    Niki realized he might be overreacting and took a deep breath. "Alright, go on."


    "The Pharmacists'' Association is


    going through some changes. With my current qualifications, getting a promotion is tough. But there''s a chance now. If I can present a few ancient recipes, I might be in the running for deputy president."


    This was what Presley had dangled before him.


    Word was that David''s health was failing, and the president''s spot would soon be vacant. If Presley took the helm, the perks for Dane would follow suit.


    At thest assessment, Mirabe effortlessly whipped up a recipe, hinting she had more tucked away. And seeing as his dad had a good rapport with her, what harm could there be in asking for a little help?


    Listening to Dane, Niki felt his blood pressure spike. He pointed at his son, his voice trembling with anger. "Have you no shame? Do you think recipes are just handed out like candy?"


    Initially, Niki thought his son wanted to ask Mirabe for some of her crafted medicine. Little did he know, Dane had his eyes set on her precious recipes.