The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

Patting Natalie on the head, Bern looked thoroughly pleased. "You're as considerate as always," he said.

Just three hours later, as the grandfather and granddaughter duo were engrossed in conversation, the door suddenly opened.

Bern's expression shifted instantly. He quickly sent a mental message to Natalie, saying, "Pay attention and act accordingly. Coming out this quickly clearly means she has failed. You know how temperamental Delilah can be. Whatever you do, don't say anything wrong."

At that moment, even Bern, who always maintained an air of deference around others, looked visibly nervous. Despite his usual confidence, he had absolutely no composure when dealing with Delilah.

However, they soon saw that Delilah wasn't alone. She had brought along a young man.

Meanwhile, their unexpected appearance caused Delilah to frown slightly. "You may leave," she said to Felix.

Felix immediately complied, "Yes, Madam Goddard."

Their mentor-apprentice relationship was still being kept under wraps, so he addressed her using her title.

However, as he took a few steps toward the elevator, Bern couldn't resist calling out, "Young man, wait a second!"

Before he could come up with an excuse to delay him, Delilah shot him a glare. "Old fool, since when do you get to give orders? Please leave!"

Felix stepped into the elevator.

Bern, left with no choice, gave Natalie a meaningful look. Catching on, she politely greeted Delilah and exited as well.

"Delilah, who was that young man?" After decades of knowing each other inside and out, Bern's curiosity was inevitable.

"None of your damn business!" Delilah snapped.

Bern froze on the spot, wide-eyed in disbelief as he stared at her. "Delilah, in all the years I've known you from when we were young until now-this is the first time I've seen you scold someone while smiling."

Delilah let out a cold huff and walked over to the window, adjusting her composure. She couldn't help it. Her excitement was too overwhelming. She hadn't expected that a random remark from Dickson had led her to stumble upon such a treasure.

The batch Felix had just completed turned out flawlessly. Nine perfect Windseeker Pills were formed, each of pristine quality.

He had completed two consecutive batches with a 100% success rate! This was unprecedented, something no one before him had achieved. Anyone fortunate enough to take on such an apprentice would

bev

grinning even in their dreams.

"Delilah." Bern approached cautiously.

However, before he could say more, Delilah cut him off, saying, "Come on. Let's grab a drink."

"A drink?" Bern's jaw practically hit the floor. Delilah had sworn off alcohol decades ago. What could possibly have happened to change her mind?

With a heavy sigh, he resigned himself to relying on Natalie to uncover the truth.

Meanwhile, in one of Harmony Clinic's offices, Felix was patiently waiting for the reimbursement after submitting his expense report.

"Hello," a voice greeted him.

He turned to see Natalie standing nearby.

"Hello," he replied with a polite smile.

As Natalie took a closer look at him, a few images flashed in her mind. "Weren't

you the one that Jared tried to hassle yesterday?"

Felix smiled and nodded. "Yes, I was just about to thank you for stepping in to help me."

Just yesterday, he had been

powerless against Jared's bullying. Yet today, Delilah had brought him into her private alchemy chamber. There was no way this wasn't significant. en

After a moment of thought, Natalie spoke up, "If you really want to thank me, you could tell me what your relationship with Madam Goddard is."

The scene she had just witnessed was completely out of character for Delilah.

Just as Felix was about to come up with a vague excuse, someone suddenly appeared at Natalie's side out of thin air.

The newcomer bowed respectfullynoveldrama

and reported, "Atlas has just entered North City, Ms. Earnhart. It's highly likely he's coming for you. Do you

want to avoid him for now?n 9