Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 111

Chapter 111

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Stella lifted her gaze, her usual carefree demeanor gone. “Didn’t you want compensation for his leg? The Trent family will cure your brother’s leg, right here in front of everyone. How about it?”

She was speaking to the burly man, but her gaze skipped past Caleb and landed on Miguel.

Landen hesitated.

Nathan didn’t know what to say.

Even though the Trent family was famous as one of the “Two Pillars of the Medical World”, their real expertise was in medicinal herbs.

They’d already checked the man’s legs, and since the doctors had recommended amputation, they didn’t dare delay any longer.

Miguel sneered. “Anyone can talk big. Landen, I suggest you just get him to the hospital and work out the compensation.”

Landen said, “Our Trent family has run Herbal Haven for a century, ever since our ancestors founded it. We’ve always kept our conscience clear and never sold fake medicine.

“I won’t let Herbal Haven’s name be tarnished while I’m in charge. Whatever this young lady says, I stand by it. Got that?”

Landen knew the situation was already out of control. If he messed this up, the hundred-year reputation of Herbal Haven would be destroyed, and even in death, he’d be ashamed to face his ancestors.

He thought, ‘Might as well risk it all.

‘Let’s take a gamble.

‘Besides…

Landen glanced at Stella. He truly believed in her, Dr. Miracle.

Miguel’s sneer grew even wider. This was exactly what he wanted: for Landen to make such a bold promise, so when they failed, the slap in the face would sting even more. He said, “But what if you can’t cure him?”

Landen declared, “If we can’t cure him, every Herbal Haven across Clusia will shut down, and every member of the Trent family will personally come to their door and beg for forgiveness.”

“Grandpa…” Nathan didn’t even have time to stop him before Landen’s words were already out.

Caleb was left speechless.

Caleb couldn’t help but think, ‘Isn’t this a bit much? Do we really have to go all in like this?’

“Landen, you said it yourself, and Mr. Martin is our witness!” Miguel burst out laughing, his smugness

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Chapter 111

practically overflowing. He’d been waiting for this moment forever.

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All these years, their Remedy House had always been crushed under the shadow of the Trent family’s Herbal Haven. If it weren’t for Linda’s quick thinking, they never would’ve gotten this chance.

“You!” Nathan, still young and impulsive, took a step forward, but before he could say anything, a hand landed on his shoulder with a lazy ease, stopping him in his tracks.

“Hold on,” Stella said, her voice carrying a cold edge.

A smug female voice burst onto the scene. “What, getting cold feet now?”

Linda strutted out of Remedy House, her hips swaying, every move screaming arrogance.

She shot Stella a look full of disdain, not having a clue it was someone she knew hiding under that baseball cap and mask.

Stella said, “Just now, he kept whining about how he regretted not going to Remedy House, and claimed Herbal Haven sells fake medicine. Looks like he’s totally lost faith in their medicine.”

Stella paused for a couple of seconds, glanced down at the burly guy, and smirked.

“So what are you trying to say, exactly?” Linda snapped, impatience written all over her face. She was dying to see the Trent family crash and burn so she could show off to her dad.

“So…” Stella’s lips curled into a sly grin beneath her black mask.

She said, “Let’s randomly pick five people from the crowd to supervise, and with the whole thing streamed live by the media, we’ll use your Remedy House’s medicine for the treatment. How about it?”

“Isn’t that a bit risky? If the treatment fails, you’ll just turn around and say it’s our medicine’s fault…” Miguel didn’t think it was a good idea and was about to object, but Landen’s voice interrupted him.

“If the patient dies, it’s all on the Trent family. None of the blame falls on you!” Landen sneered. “What’s wrong, Miguel? Getting cold feet?”

“Mr. Lopez, it’s perfectly reasonable to be cautious. How about this? I’ll go in with you, personally select the medicine, and the rest can supervise. What do you think, Mr. Lopez?” Caleb stepped forward, his tone warm and reassuring.

“Dad, this is our chance to finally make Remedy House famous!” Linda whispered excitedly.

She thought, ‘For years, Remedy House has been crushed under Herbal Haven’s shadow. Now’s our chance to finally flip the tables. We can’t let it slip away!’

Seeing Miguel still wavering, Linda took matters into her own hands. “Mr. Martin, let’s go.”

“What herbs do you need?” Caleb asked.

Stella glanced at Linda, whose face was practically glowing with smugness. With a lazy tilt of her head, she casually jotted down a few herb names on a scrap of paper. “0.1 ounce of each. Pack them separately.”

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Caleb wasted no time, leading the media and a handful of random bystanders into Remedy House. A moment later, he came out holding several packets of herbs, holding them out for Stella to take.

“The herbs are here! Just tell me what to do, kid, and this old man will be your assistant!” Landen rolled up his sleeves, rubbing his hands together, all fired up and ready to haul out the stone grinder for grinding the herbs.

Stella shot Landen a complicated look, her eyes saying more than words ever could.

Landen blinked, looking innocent. ‘What? Did I do something wrong?’

Stella took the herbs with her hand and headed over to the Food and Drug Regulatory Bureau’s director. “Your official cars all have portable drug testers, right?

“Let’s run a quick check and see if Remedy House’s herbal medicine is actually mixed with modern medicine. We’ll know the truth in seconds!”

Everyone watching was just speechless.

Just like that, the tables had turned.

Miguel’s face turned ashen as he finally realized what had just happened. He never saw it coming. This little girl had just pulled a fast one on him, all to stand up for Landen.

Linda was left completely dumbfounded.

Landen’s voice wavered, “Kiddo… Boohoo…”

His eyes were brimming with tears.

He was so moved that he could barely speak.

Stella was speechless.

‘Seriously, is all this really necessary?’ she thought.

Caleb shot the Food and Drug Regulatory Bureau’s director a frosty glare. The director didn’t hesitate. He immediately ordered someone to bring over the portable drug tester.

One by one, they tore open the packets of Remedy House’s herbal medicine, while the crowd leaned in, straining to catch every detail as they waited for the results.

Curiosity was written all over everyone’s faces.

They’d all heard Landen’s bold words just now. Soon, they’d know if it was all slander, or if the truth would finally come to light.

The media and all the bloggers had their cameras pointed in perfect unison at the Food and Drug Regulatory Bureau’s staff doing the tests, afraid they’d miss the juiciest moment.

The rapid test would be done in just one minute.

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Chapter 111

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Stella lazily pressed down her baseball cap, knowing full well the Lopez family was shooting her death stares, but she didn’t care.

In the corner, Jake’s hands were numb from gripping the black box so tightly, shaking like crazy.

He wanted to puke.

“If the reagent turns purple, that means it’s got modern medicine mixed in. If it’s blue, then it’s clean!” After a minute, the tester popped the lid open.

Stella yawned, slow and lazy.

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

The reagent was purple.

Turned out Landen was right. Remedy House’s herbs really were tainted with modern medicine. And since Caleb picked the herbs out himself, there was nothing fishy.

“What…” Linda gasped, totally shocked. Miguel didn’t even hesitate. His face dark as thunder, and he swung and landed a heavy slap right across her cheek.

Landen, finally vindicated, was grinning from ear to ear. “Remedy House! You guys are rotten to the core!” He flashed Miguel a big, sarcastic thumbs-up, looking absolutely over the moon.

Miguel snapped, “Don’t start celebrating just yet. There’s still someone over there with one foot in the coffin, just waiting for you to mess up!”

Miguel’s face was dark as thunder as he reminded them sharply.

“Don’t trouble yourself…” Stella drawled, sounding completely relaxed under her baseball

сар.

She waved lazily at Jake in the corner. Jake, hands still shaking, shot a nervous glance at Linda before passing the black box to someone else to deliver.

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