Since they planned to reopen Heartbound Hall, a steady supply of herbs was crucial. Nestled on the border of two states, Southbury boasted a humid climate and dense undergrowth — a veritable treasure trove for foragers. Here, one could unearth a bounty of mushrooms, including prized wild portobello and yarrow.Sam particularly favored these two herbs, easily drawn to their scent.For the locals, the mountains provided sustenance while the river quenched their thirst.Gathering a few wild yarrows was a common practice, considered perfectly acceptable. Yet, Aria and Sam weren't content with a meager harvest. They scoured nearly half the mountain, their backpacks overflowing with herbs by the time they started their descent.On their way back, they encountered Jonathan Brooks, an early riser who prided himself on being the first to claim the day's choicest mushrooms. It was a surprise for Jonathan to encounter others even earlier than himself, especially in the dark hours of the m

The sun was shining brightly the next morning. Before Aria had even gotten up, the clinic was already bustling.Sam came in twice and gestured beside her. However, Aria couldn't even be bothered to open her eyes. Finally, her grandmother's voice cut through the haze. "Aria, it's Thursday. Why aren't you in school?"With a groan, Aria sat up and shuffled out of bed. Despite the lack of sleep, her bare face held an undeniable beauty. "I don't have class in the morning."Georgina, a woman with a keen eye, wasn't fooled. She let out a sigh that spoke volumes. "If catching up is a problem, just tell me, dear. It's no big deal. Sarah mentioned there are supplementary classes available. Why not look into those?"Sam's eyes widened at that suggestion. A faint smile touched Aria's lips as she secured her long hair in a simple ponytail, the action revealing a small mole at the corner of her eye. "No need, Grandma. I'll handle it."Aria smiled and tied her long hair in a ponytail, making t

The unexpected visitor turned out to be Joel. His face lit up with relief the moment he spotted Aria. Sweat glistened on his forehead as he approached. "Dr. Genius, I've been searching for you. Kenneth and the others were asking why you didn't come to Elmer Square for consultations yesterday."Being retired cadres, the elderly in Elmer's held significant sway, and Joel couldn't afford to offend them.Since they had asked about Aria, Joel had to seek her out."I've decided to reopen my grandmother's clinic here," Aria announced, handing Joel a piece of paper with a practiced smile. "So, I won't be continuing my consultations at Elmer Square anymore."Joel nodded, wiping his brow. "You understand Kenneth's condition and Mandy's heart..."As they were not alone, Joel was too embarrassed to say that Elmer needed her. Thus, his expression appeared strained. Aria smiled casually. "I was planning to inform them. Now that you're here, please let them know they're welcome to visit her

Aria seemed oblivious to Landon's fluster, her long eyelashes casting a veil of shadow over her eyes. Landon, on the other hand, found himself averting his gaze, his voice dropping to a gravelly whisper. "So, what's the plan for the clinic?" he rasped. Aria's smile widened, lifting her head to reveal the mole beside her eye more prominently. "Still working out the details. Grandma's vision is to provide treatment opportunities for everyone. So, gaining recognition from yesterday's event wouldn't align with that."Landon muttered a response, initially considering ordering Solo to assist with the clinic's operations. However, Aria appeared to have her own agenda, implying she might not want his involvement.Grateful he didn't press further, Aria raised her cup in a toast. "Please support me when the time comes."Solo pondered if Landon's support was lacking, considering he practically lived in the clinic. Yet, he refrained from commenting.Landon even forbade them from driving the

Aria, oblivious to Solo's hint, maintained her smile. "I might have been influenced by those rumors as well." Solo breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that. Thankfully, Aria knew that she had misunderstood.However, Aria added, "Rich people can be quite unpredictable, though. I can't say for sure about that Mr. York."Solo was exasperated, avoiding Landon's gaze. He wished she had skipped that remark.Meanwhile, Landon stood in his white shirt and black pants, his eyes holding a hint of indifference and danger.Aria straightened up, pouring him another cup of coffee. "I was only joking earlier. But from a medical standpoint, his aversion to physical contact might indicate allergies or sensitivities."Solo was once again taken aback. Aria had managed to deduce Landon's condition without even meeting him. Though she might not excel in conversation, her medical acumen was undeniable.Upon hearing this, Landon offered a half-smile. "Indeed, Mr. York experiences discomfort with