One hour ago, the Lancasters had pulled up to the curb so fat it felt like they''d practically skidded to a stop.


    The sign above the storefront read "King of Herbal," its chipped paint glinting in the morning suri


    Sophia, Jack, Florence, and Florence''s youngest sister, ra, climbed out of the


    car


    A warm breeze carried the scent of dried leaves and faint spices from the shop''s open door.


    Florence nced at ra, perplexed, "You said you wanted to buy a present. Why''d you bring us to this herbal ce?"


    ra, dressed in a sleek blouse and heels far too tall for an errand run, leaned in conspiratorially.


    "It''s not just any herb shop, big sis," she whispered. "They ve got something incredibly rare here-Verdantheart Root."


    Florence''s brow furrowed. "Verdantheart Root? And that''s good for what, exactly?"


    ra''s eyes lit up. "I work for Jericho Kane, remember? He''s got a pharmaceutical empire, and this Verdantheart Root is the missing piece they''ve been hunting for years. If snag it, I''ll get promoted for sure."


    Florence shot her sister a skeptical look. "Come on, you''re just a junior buyer in thatpany, aren''t you? Is it really that big of a deal?"


    ra snorted. "You have no idea how business works, sis. Jericho Kane''s daughter, Melinda, is the CEO-she''s hosting some big banquet soon. If I waltz in with the Verdantheart Root they''ve been trying to find forever, I''ll be set. Guaranteed promotion."


    She paused, pressing her lips together in a tight smile. "And it won''te cheap. It''ll run at least a few million dors."


    Florence nearly choked. "A few million? You don''t have that kind of money, ra."


    "That''s why you and Sophia are here," ra said tly, crossing her arms over her chest as she raised her chin.


    "Lend me the cash. As soon as I hand the herb over to Melinda Kane, they''ll reimburse every cent. We''ll even turn a profit. You can trust me."


    Jack shot ra a hard stare.


    "Trust you?" he repeated under his breath.


    Sophia exchanged a cautious look with Jack.


    She remembered the countless times ra had ''borrowed'' money-and the family''s car-and never offered so much as an apology when it went unreturned. 1 ra''s impatience red.


    "Well?" she demanded. "I''m waiting. You have millions, right? The Lancaster Group basically pours cash into Sophia''s bank ount daily. She''s the president, after all."


    Sophia took a slow breath, keeping her voice steady.


    "ra, thepany''s funds are tied up. We can''t just drop a few million on a whim-especially not on something this risky."


    ra let out a disbelievingugh. "Risky? Please. People like me don''t fail. I graduated top of my ss, I''m talented, I''m smart... The moment I show Miss Kane I can deliver the goods, I''ll be promoted on the spot. Think about it-my connections will grow, and you''ll get your money back, plus interest. Easy."


    Florence tried to temper the situation.


    She could see the stubborn set of ra''s jaw and knew exactly where this was headed. "ra, it''s not that simple. High positions don''t just fall out of the sky because you handed someone a root."


    ra flicked her gaze dismissively over Sophia and Jack beforending back on Florence.


    “Enough. Stop acting like you''re worried about me, because I know you''re not." Her tone was icy. "Are you going to help me or not?"


    Before Florence could answer, Jack stepped forward, frustration simmering.


    "No. We''re done. You never returned the car you borrowed. You''ve made promises before, and we''re still waiting on those."


    ra''s cheeks reddened with fury.


    "So that''s it? That''s how you want to y it?" She turned on her heel and aimed a fierce re at Florence.


    "You''re all terrible. The minute I need real help, you turn your backs. I''ll make sure Mom and Dad hear how you''ve ''forgotten'' your family. We''ll see how well that goes over."


    She whirled around and marched off, her heels clicking hard against the pavement.


    Florence''s heart lurched. "ra! Wait-let''s talk about this!" Casting an apologetic nce at Sophia and Jack, she


    hurried after her sister.


    "It''s just a few million dors, right? I''ll figure something out. Don''t be mad."


    Jack inhaled sharply through his nose. "Mom, are you serious?"


    Florence fixed him with a warning re. "She''s my sister. If I don''t help her, who will?"


    "You-!" Jack''s voice caught in his throat as frustration knotted his brow.


    He could already see how this would end: more empty promises, more money down the drain.


    Sophia offered a resigned sigh.


    "Let it go, Jack," she said, rubbing a hand across her forehead. "Mom''s going to do whatever she wants with her own money. We can''t stop her.”


    Immediately, ra''s face lit up like a neon sign.


    "See? Big Sister Florence treats me best!" She threw Florence a dazzling smile, one she''d perfected after years of ying the role of the charming, helpless baby sister.


    Florence, visibly softening, smiled right back. "ra, who else would spoil you if not your own sister?"


    She reached out and took ra''s hand, her tone brimming with a warmth that bordered on na?veté. “Let''s go inside and get you that Verdantheart Root." ra''s grin widened; her routine had worked yet again.


    Jack felt a bitter taste in his mouth as he watched their mother fuss over ra.


    ''Sophia," he muttered, trying to rein in his temper, "are we really just letting Mom give her another free pass? Again?"


    Sophia sighed, arms folded tightly across her chest. "You know how Mom is," she said.


    "This is how it''s always been." There was a hint of exhaustion in her voice, the kind thates from fighting the same battle far too many times.


    Inside King of Herbal, the scent of dried leaves, pungent roots, and vaguely spicy powders wrapped around them like a cloak.


    ra strolled in as if she owned the ce, chin held high.


    "Hey!" she called out, snapping her fingers at a young shop assistant


    "I''m here to buy something worth a million dors. You''re not the one I need. Where''s your boss?"


    The dismissive wave of her hand was casual but arrogant-like she couldn''t be bothered to deal with anyone below the top.


    The assistant''s eyes flickered with a momentary hint of offense before she forced


    a polite smile. "Certainly, miss. This way, please."


    She led them through a narrow doorway into a private VIP area.


    A thin, middle-aged man stood waiting inside, wearing a crisp vest and an


    expression that barely registered surprise at ra''s directness.


    "I hear you''ve got Verdantheart Root," ra said, "And I hear it''s fresh on the market."


    The shop owner offered a small bow. "You''ve heard correctly, Miss. It arrived just yesterday."


    A gleam sparked in ra''s eyes. "Good. Let''s not drag this out. Name your price."


    The man sped his hands in front of him. "Verdantheart Root is exceedingly rare. We intended to auction it off to ensure we get a fair price."


    ra''s lips pursed in annoyance. "Auctions are a waste of my time. Just sell it to me privately. You''ll avoid the auction fees and hassle." 2