Chapter 178
Everyone knew that any medicine from Medicinal Haven was peless, but Philip never expected it to work such miracles.This content is © NôvelDrama.Org.
After swallowing the pill, it didn’t take long before he felt a war sensation spreading through his body. The violent coughing he’d been suffering from suddenly stopped, and the tightness in his chest felt like it was loosening. He was filled with a sense of vitality that he hadn’t felt in years.
This feeling… I guess I’m not dying anytime soon. Philip sighed, half-amused.
Tiffany shook her head, exasperated. “Come on! You shouldn’t be so pessimistic, Can’t you think more positively? I’m hoping you stick around for a long time.
Philip chuckled. “Alright. I’ll try.”
To make sure the old illness wouldn’t flare up again and to extend Philip’s life, Tiffany handed him a small bottle, which contained just three more pills. She was careful not to give him too many-after all, the medicines from Medicinal Haven were notoriously hard to come by.
Even with just three pills, Philip looked stunned. His eyes widened as he asked, “Where on earth did you get these? Must’ve taken forever! How much did you have to pay?”
“Nothing too crazy. I know one of the bodyguards at Medicinal Haven. He did me a favor and gave me a discount, Tiffany lied smoothly, without missing a beat. Sorry, Jeremy, she thought. I had no choice but to bring you into this.”
Philip looked skeptical but eventually nodded, deciding not to push further. After all, Tiffany was from the Kelley family. It wasn’t too far-fetched for her to know a bodyguard from Medicinal Haven. “Well, you’d better buy more next time. I’ll cover the cost,” Philip said, sighing.
“No need. I’m all set. Tiffany quickly changed the subject. “By the way, there’s something I don’t quite understand. Why is the head of Whispering Winds the leader of the four families?”
“Ah, that’s a long story,” Philip said, sitting up straighter as he prepared to explain the history of Traron City’s most powerful families.
About a century ago, there was only one noble family in Traron City. Before the old patriarch passed away, he gave away his entire fortune to a few of his most loyal and trusted servants-men who had stood by him throughout his life.
These men were kind-hearted and didn’t let their newfound wealth change their principles. They continued to live by the idea of helping those in need. To make sure their descendants would carry on their mission, they appointed ane leader to oversee everything. That was how it had been passed down to this day. But now, a hundred years later, time changed so
much.
Tiffany nodded, beginning to piece things together. “So, does the leader still hold any real power?” She wondered, ‘Well, what good is a title if no one respects it? It’s just for show if people don’t acknowledge it.”
Philip nodded thoughtfully. “That’s why Whispering Winds holds the untold secrets of the four prominent families. They’re
moves. They’ll definitely fall in line.” all afraid of each other’s hidde
There’s always a bigger fish. Tiffany thought, rubbing her temples. It was a lot to take in at once, and her head was spinning from all the information. The idea that she was now taking on a role completely unrelated to her felt like Philip had thrown her into a trap.
Whenever she showed any signs of reluctance, Philip would give her that wise, fatherly look and say, “Trust me. you’ll understand why this is necessary. And this position, it really has to be you.”
One day,
“Fine… Tiffany sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing further. The only condition she set was that Philip needed to take care of his health, and when the day came for him to truly retire, she would step in.
Philip, looking relieved, agreed.
Over the next couple of days, Philip took Tiffany around Whispering Winds, helping her get acquainted with everything. The people there now knew she was Philip’s successor, the next leader. Although some were wary of her, they couldn’t do anything about it.
Sure, there was skepticism, but deep down, the group remained unified. When Philip told them to keep quiet about it, not a single word leaked beyond the estate. Tiffany was surprised. This isn’t exactly the backstabbing drama I expected, she
mused.
Philip explained. “The people here are trustworthy. As long as you can earn their respect, they’ll become your strongest allies.”
“Hmm.” Tiffany mentally noted that down.
Later, when they returned to Richard’s estate, Philip deliberately sent her away while he spent an hour chatting with Richard in the study. Tiffany suspected Philip was smoolling things over on her behalf, prepping Richard so that when she eventually faced pushback, he’d help out of respect for Philip.
Even if Philip hadn’t asked. Richard would have supported Tiffany anyway. What surprised him, though, was just how much Philip seemed to favor Tiffany. Not only had she been chosen as Philip’s successor, but Philip had also personally requested Richard to help smooth her path, making things easier for her.
When Philip and Richard emerged from their talk after an hour, Philip looked visibly relieved, with a wide smile on his face. He glanced at Tiffany with an even softer, more affectionate gaze.
Five days flew by, and it was time for Tiffany to head back to Lovell City. Before she left, Philip made a decision. He chose to stay behind in Traron City. He said he wanted to return to his roots and didn’t expect Tiffany to visit often, just occasionally drop by when she had time.
Tiffany agreed. She left three pills behind, which would last Philip three months. When she returned, she’d bring more, so there was no need to worry for now.
On the evening before her departure, Tiffany and Richard walked Philip home after a few drinks, leaving him in a slightly tipsy but happy state.
After that, instead of taking the car back to the estate, Tiffany and Richard decided to stroll through the quiet streets.
It was late, and a light drizzle had begun to fall, the street lamps casting a warm glow as their shadows stretched long behind
them.
As they walked, Tiffany let out a sigh.
“What’s on your mind?” Richard asked.
“I just feel like I’m carrying someone else’s burden. It’s a little overwhelming, and I worry I won’t be able to handle it. She looked up at the rain softly falling. “I also worry Philip’s just trying to tie up loose ends… like he’s preparing to let go.”
“He’s not going anywhere yet,” Richard reassured her. ‘At least, not anytime soon, he thought.
Tiffany nodded. “I hope you’re right.”
The two of them walked side by side, the only sounds breaking the stillness were their footsteps and the quiet hum of the car following them at a distance. Suddenly, Tiffany stopped in her tracks. “Wait… do you hear something?”
Richard paused as well. “Sounds like… someone’s calling for help
“Let’s go check it out.”
Without hesitation, Tiffany-led the way, following the faint voice The quiet night revealed a weak cry for help coming from near a trash bin on a darkened corner. If it weren’t for her sharp hearing, they probably would have walked right past without noticing a thing.
As they approached, they found an elderly man, around seventy collapsed on the ground. He had been stabbed in the abdomen and was barely clinging to consciousness.
Tiffany crouched beside him, gently shaking his shoulder. “Stay with me. Hey, don’t fall asleep.
The old man’s eyes fluttered open, and when he saw Tiffany’s face, he became visibly emotional. His chest heaved, tears welling up in his cloudy eyes