The Double or more Life of the Fake Heiress (Mirabella)

"Why are you bringing this up?" Nikolai asked, his voice steady, a man who always held firm to his principles. Even though Emmitt had been with the Pharmacists' Association for years, Nikolai knew his son's nature inside out.

There had to be some hidden motive behind this.

Dane grinned, trying to downplay it. "Oh, nothing major. It's just that this young lady is something else. Dad, you might not know, but she's now the vice president of the Pharmacists' Association."

Nikolai was taken aback for a moment, but recalling the medicine Mirabella had crafted, he quickly pieced it together.

After a pause to gather his thoughts, he let out a sharp snort. "And? You want me to pull some strings for you? Have you already forgotten about last year when you used her formula without asking?"

Hearing the old story brought up again, Dane's patience thinned. "How many times have I said it? If she shared the formula with us, what's wrong with me using it to produce medicine?"noveldrama

Was it really necessary to keep calling it 'stealing'?

Dane thought his father was hopelessly old-fashioned, clinging to this outdated sense of honesty and integrity. Couldn't he see the times had changed? Following those old rules would have had you booted from the Pharmacists' Association ages ago.

"You're just like Asher, your thinking's twisted," Nikolai snapped, his anger bubbling over.

He had suspected Zach of having shady intentions, but Emmitt seemed no better. Dane sighed, shaking his head. Remembering Presley's advice, he swallowed his irritation. "Alright, alright, I was wrong. You're right, as always."

Not wanting to dive into another pointless argument, Nikolai looked out the car window, seeking calm.

Dane rubbed his temples and, after a moment, softened his voice. "Okay, Dad, there's something I need to ask her, and I need your help to make the connection."

As expected.

Nikolai turned back with a stoic expression. "Don't even think about it."

Seeing his father dismiss him without a second thought, Dane felt his temper flare. He pulled the car over, flicked on the interior light, and turned to face his father. "Can't you at least hear me out before shutting me down?"

Nikolai realized he might be overreacting and took a deep breath. "Alright, go on."

"The Pharmacists' Association is

going through some changes. With my current qualifications, getting a promotion is tough. But there's a chance now. If I can present a few ancient recipes, I might be in the running for deputy president."

This was what Presley had dangled before him.

Word was that David's health was failing, and the president's spot would soon be vacant. If Presley took the helm, the perks for Dane would follow suit.

At the last assessment, Mirabella effortlessly whipped up a recipe, hinting she had more tucked away. And seeing as his dad had a good rapport with her, what harm could there be in asking for a little help?

Listening to Dane, Nikolai felt his blood pressure spike. He pointed at his son, his voice trembling with anger. "Have you no shame? Do you think recipes are just handed out like candy?"

Initially, Nikolai thought his son wanted to ask Mirabella for some of her crafted medicine. Little did he know, Dane had his eyes set on her precious recipes.