CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: THAT’S 1 BILLION!

"Boss, please have a seat." The manager led Serena to the VIP lounge, speaking in an extremely respectful tone, "I’ve already prepared the herbs you requested!"

"Hmm." Serena’s delicate, porcelain-white face showed no expression as she nodded, "Take them out and let me have a look."

"Alright!" The manager swiftly laid out all the herbs in front of Serena, "Boss, these are the three herbs you need to craft the Spirit Revitalizing Pill—the Blood Lotus Essence, Zenith Fruit, and Condensed Dew Grass!"

Serena examined them carefully, nodding in satisfaction.

The quality of these three herbs was excellent, the best of the best. The Spirit Revitalizing Pill crafted from them would have the most potent effect. As long as Jocelyn takes it as scheduled, her old ailments from her early years would be cured.

"By the way, boss, there’s another matter to report to you. The Apothecary Hall just acquired some Thousand Spirit Ginseng, which the Quinn Family wants to obtain. How should we handle this?" The manager asked in a low voice.

Damian Quinn was like a hegemon in Imperia. Although the Apothecary Hall had backing, it was best not to offend him.

"No. I have use for that Thousand Spirit Ginseng." Serena didn’t even lift her beautifully captivating fox-like eyes as she refused directly, "I plan to make medicine to give someone."

The Thousand Spirit Ginseng had miraculous effects on treating heart conditions. She planned to make it into medicine, so next time she found that grandmother, she could give it to her to greatly help her heart disease.

She really reminded her of her grandmother, so she wanted to alleviate her heart’s pain.

"What? Boss, you say you’re giving it away!!!"

Just hearing her say this, the manager’s heart ached to no end. That Thousand Spirit Ginseng was extremely precious, and Damian from the Quinn Family even bid a billion for it!

But now the boss plans to give it away; who on earth could be worth a billion?!

"Hmm." Serena nodded, her eyes indifferently fell on him, "Do you have any opinions on my decision?"

"No, none at all!"

The manager shook his head repeatedly, smiling obsequiously while bleeding inside—after all, it was a billion!

"Boss, how dare I have any opinions on your decision! I’ll go turn down the Quinn’s request now!"

"Alert me once the Thousand Spirit Ginseng leaves for Imperia."

"Alright, alright, boss, just leave this to me without any worry!"

After Serena collected the herbs, she didn’t linger any longer. Given Niall Everett’s temperament, if she let him wait too much longer, he might not sit still.

She must head back quickly.

In the car.

"The items have been sent to the Everett Family? Excellent, I’ll be back soon..."

Serena had just reached the car when she heard Niall Everett inside talking excitedly on the phone.

But as soon as he saw Serena returning, a trace of panic flashed across his eyes. He immediately hung up the phone and gave her a somewhat nervous smile.

"Serena, you’re back!"

Seeing him act this way, Serena knew he must be hiding something from her. But she didn’t expose him; she nodded and got into the car.

And this scene was thoroughly seen by Amy Miller and Lillian Everett hiding in the darkness; their faces looked more unsightly than each other’s.

"No wonder that little slut Serena has become so arrogant now, turns out she’s latched onto a young master from a wealthy family!"

"Yes indeed, no wonder The Apothecary Hall didn’t kick her out; this is the reason!" Lillian Everett echoed through clenched teeth, her jealousy ignited by Niall Everett’s handsome face, "I truly don’t know how that jinx Serena managed to cling to a young master from a rich family!"

"She must have sold herself to do some disgraceful things to cling to the young master of a wealthy family!"

Lillian Everett’s jealousy deepened, clutching her still painfully sore arm, she spoke viciously, "Mom, we can’t let that bitch Serena latch onto a wealthy man and step over us!"

"Of course!" Amy Miller’s eyes also flickered with malice, "Next time we see that little bitch Serena with a rich man, we’ll tell him all about her background in the countryside—a country bumpkin is not what a rich man would like!"

...

Niall Everett didn’t drive back to the Everett Family; instead, he headed for the mall.

"Serena, I’ve suddenly got something to deal with and can’t take you home right now. Go have a walk around the mall; you girls love shopping, don’t you? Use your brother’s card, buy whatever you want!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Niall Everett pulled out a black card from his pocket and insisted on putting it into her hand, all the while reminding her continuously.

"Serena, don’t go home early! Wait for your brother to come pick you up!"

He needed to hurry up and get back to prepare a surprise for Serena!

After speaking, without giving Serena a chance to refuse, he drove away.

Serena looked somewhat helplessly at the black card in her hand; why did everyone like to give her money?

"Hey... Cassia, isn’t that your sister over there?"

Upon seeing Serena not far away, Cassia Everett’s expression instantly changed. She hastily hid the jade pendant.

How did that bitch Serena end up here? Wasn’t she supposed to be out with my fifth brother?

"Cassia, doesn’t she look like a solitary stray dog?"

"Hahaha, she really looks like a lonely stray dog, her social skills must really be poor, no one wants to play with her!"

Listening to those socialites mocking Serena, Cassia Everett’s lips discreetly curved upward while she maintained a facade of kindness.

"Alright, stop talking about my sister like that. She just arrived in Imperia and isn’t familiar yet, which is why she doesn’t have any friends! How about I introduce you? Maybe you could become friends!"

"We don’t want to befriend a country bumpkin like her, Cassia, we only recognize you as our friend!"

"Exactly, we don’t want to associate with any country bumpkins!"

Seeing their disdain for Serena, Cassia Everett became even more pleased, though she said, "Please, for my sake, reach out to my sister! I really don’t want to see her alone and isolated!"

"Oh, Cassia, you’re too kind, being so good to even a country bumpkin like her!"

The group of socialites feigned reluctance in their response.

"Alright, since Cassia wants this, we’ll give her a little face!"

"Yes, yes, we’re only doing this for your sake, Cassia; otherwise, I’d feel cursed just looking at that country bumpkin!"

Upon hearing them agree, Cassia Everett’s lips curled upwards imperceptibly, her eyes gleaming with vicious amusement.

This group of socialite daughters had some venomous tongues and despised rural folks the most. This was the perfect chance to humiliate Serena harshly and vent her frustrations!