Chapter 480


    Niki didn’t press further but shifted the topic with a smile, “By the way, are you into herbs?”


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow in confusion at Niki’s query.


    With a chuckle, Niki borated, “I’ve spent thest two years cultivating some Foxglove. Maybe


    you’d like to take a look at my herbs garden when you have a moment?”


    Mirabe’s face showed a hint of surprise. She was about to respond when Asher, Niki’s son, had


    quietly approached and cut in. “Dad, you’re getting mixed up. We don’t have any Foxglove in our


    garden. Let’s not give anyone a reason tough at us.”


    The Reeves and Mendoza families had long been close allies, and since it was Knox’s birthday, Asher


    naturally joined his father at the Mendoza family’s birthday celebration. He hadn’t expected to run into


    Mirabe there.


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Asher had a great deal of respect for Mirabe’s potion–making skills after watching her work, but that


    respect hadn’t extended beyond professional admiration. He certainly didn’t share his father’s near


    obsession with her.


    Seeing his father carelessly mention the secret cultivation of Foxglove, Asher feltpelled to


    intervene, emphasizing the word ‘outsiders‘ to make his point.


    Surprised by his younger son’s interruption, Niki furrowed his brow and turned to Asher with a


    scolding look. “Asher, is that any way to interrupt someone?”


    Asher nced at Mirabe, but since James was also present, he maintained a polite demeanor,


    conveniently ignoring his father’s displeasure. “Dad, Foxglove is such a rare herb. How could our family


    possibly have it?”


    Mirabe’s eyebrows arched yfully as she tapped her fingers idly on the table. James poured her


    another cup of tea, which she epted and sipped gracefully.


    Asher noted James‘ gesture with a hint of suspicion. Why would someone from the esteemed


    Shepherd family show such special attention to a young girl? Asher had asked his father about


    Mirabe before, and Niki told him she was just an ordinary high school student, not from any


    significant lineage.


    Niki, reading his son’s thoughts, darkened his expression. “It seems you didn’t take in a single word


    of ourst conversation.”


    Asher pursed his lips inwardly, thinking that his father was the one being naive, unaware that there


    were bigger fish in the sea. No matter how well–versed Mirabe was in herbs, how could a seventeen


    or eighteen–year–old girl possibly memorize the properties of thousands of them? It was likely she


    didn’t even know what Foxglove was.


    Niki, fuming inside, red at Asher before turning back to Mirabe with some embarrassment.


    “Actually, the Foxglove…”


    Before he could finish, Mirabe set down her cup, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she interrupted,


    “Mr. Asher is correct. Foxglove is indeed rare, requiring very specific soil and environmental conditions.


    Aside from the chance of finding it in deep, old forests, trying to cultivate it is… quite difficult.”


    Hearing Mirabe’s words, Asher had to suppress augh. Which precious herb didn’t need a specific


    environment to thrive? Her general statement sounded as if she knew quite a lot about the subject.


    He couldn’t help but think she was putting on an act. Shaking his head, Asher remained silent.


    Chapter 481