?Chapter 1021:


    Pride had fueled N just moments before, but now she slunk away, shoulders slumped, unable to meet anyone’s gaze.


    Morrison had never expected to be duped by N, nor for Elena to be the true Healer he had been seeking all along. Now, regret consumed him. Not only had he failed to impress the Healer, he had offended her on top of it.


    Arriving with Reilly but walking a bit more slowly, Finley moved through the crowd to the scene. He narrowed his eyes upon hearing what had gone down.


    A re at Morrison made the man shrink back in shame.


    Finley huffed. Morrison’s actions were beyond embarrassing.


    Finley didn’t waste another look on Morrison, choosing instead to turn toward Jonah with approval. Without Jonah, the Boyd family could have ended up slighting the Healer.


    A polite smile crossed Finley’s face as he gazed at Elena. “Never would I have guessed the legendary Healer was so young. Please ept my apologies for any…”


    “…disrespect caused. Since you’re already acquainted with Jonah, would you mind letting him show you around?”


    Pride glimmered in Finley’s eyes as he regarded Jonah. If Elena took an interest in Jonah, it would mean everything to the Boyd family.


    Jonah offered a gentle nod and chimed in, “If there’s anything you need, just let me know.” The light in his eyes when he looked at Elena was impossible to miss.


    Reilly acknowledged Elena with a polite nod and then followed Finley into the venue.


    Staying by Elena’s side, Jonah kept ncing at her, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he tried to gather his thoughts.


    Without warning, Elena came to a halt and fixed Jonah with a steady gaze. “If you’ve got something to say, out with it.” She had noticed that his gaze lingered on her, his lips parting as if to speak, only to think better of it.


    After a few awkward seconds, Jonah finally said, “Would you ever consider taking me on as your protégé? I really want to learn medicine from you.”


    Elena raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. In her mind, Jonah had always been proud and distant—not even Glenn could get him to soften up. No part of her day had prepared her for him to stumble over asking her for guidance. Though he seemed decent and had helped her out earlier, the idea of taking on a protégé didn’t appeal to her at all. The mentorship request should go directly to her mentor, not to her.


    Elena’s answer came without hesitation. “I don’t take on protégés.”


    Jonah’s hopeful expression faded. For a second, disappointment clouded his eyes.


    Elena added, “If you’re that serious about medicine, I could check if my mentor is still epting new protégés.”


    Shock registered on Jonah’s face. He hadn’t expected that at all.


    Elena raised an eyebrow. “But if you’re not interested, forget about it.”


    His response came quickly, eagerness overtaking his surprise. “I am interested! I seriously want to learn from your mentor.”


    A faint smile flickered across Elena’s lips as she started toward the door.


    Before she could step inside, her name rang out from behind her. “Elena!”


    Turning, Elena found Gerald approaching, cane in hand. Surprise shed in her eyes. “Gerald? What brings you here?”


    Gerald’s features softened into a warm grin as he reached out to take her hand. “I came to see you, Elena.”


    For as long as Gerald had known about Wesley’s feelings for Elena, he had been eager to see her. After all, she might eventually join their family. Back when Elena had offered her treatment, he had only seen her as a gentle soul who handled everything calmly. But now that his notoriously headstrong grandson had shown interest in her, Gerald found himself growing increasingly fond of her.


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