Chapter 16
Chapter 16 The Wooden Token
He’d only meant to let her ride along, but now she was stuck.
Even the mighty Mr. Pierce couldn’t handle that look.
Her eyes stung worse than any insult.
He’d sailed through twenty-some years, only to trip over a kid who wasn’t even eighteen.
The elevator doors opened. Leighton bolted out.
“Miss, which floor are you going to p>
Tristan stayed to clean up his boss’ mess.
“16th,” Zora replied.
“Sure. Have a nice day. Mr. Pierce will cover everything you buy here p>
Tristan swiped his card, stepped out, and left.
Zora didn’t even get to reply. The doors closed.
She was confused.
The handsome guy was pretty, but weird. And he liked paying for strangers?
She wasn’t stupid. Tristan only said that because his boss told him to.
The elevator reached the 16th floor-full of antique shops and art galleries, styled traditionally.
Zora walked past them all to a small, quiet store: Hale Apothecary.
A soft, clean herbal scent drifted out.
“Welcome. What can I get for you p>
A clerk stepped over.
“I need these herbs p>
Zora listed them one by one.
“Got it. That’s 18 thousand total p>
The clerk packed everything quickly.
Before Zora could pay, his earpiece crackled.
“Miss, our manager says your order is free today p>
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Chapter 16 The Wooden Token
Finished
Zora stared. Free herbs?
“Can I help you with anything else?” the clerk asked politely.
“Do you buy herbs here p>
She’d been surprised how cheap they were. Less than a nice steak.
Her mentor said city life was expensive! Good thing he found her in Maplewood, not the city-he never would’ve afforded her.
She only needed to sell one small ginseng to cover all this.
She had ten in her bag. No more money worries.
She’d ask Earl to send more. She needed rent, school supplies—everything cost money.
“Miss, we usually only buy from our own suppliers. Not private sellers.” The clerk looked apologetic.
“Really p>
Zora had her bag open, ready to show him the ginseng.
She was disappointed at his words.
Her mentor’s note said to sell here; she hadn’t expected them to refuse.
She wondered how her mentor used to sell his herbs.
Life was hard.
“Wait-can I see that wooden token in your bag p>
The clerk spotted the edge sticking out.
“This p>
The night before her mentor left, he told her that if she ever got into trouble, she could take this wooden token to some place called “Hale Apothecary”-but Zora had been half-asleep and hadn’t caught the full
name.
She’d been in Seacrest for a long time and nothing had happened, so she’d never thought much of it. She’d just tossed it carelessly into her bag.
Part of it, maybe, was anger.
Angry that her mentor had left her without a word.
But she hadn’t thrown it away, either.
“Yes! May I see it p>
The clerk’s voice was tight with excitement as he looked at the wooden token in Zora’s hand.
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Chapter 16 The Wooden Token
“Sure.” She handed it over nonchalantly.
Freshed
He took it carefully. It was plain brown, old, nothing special-until his finger brushed the bottom right corner. He felt the familiar hidden mark.
It was real.
His heart surged with excitement.
“Miss. Whatever herbs you want to sell, we’ll take all of them p>
He gave the token back with deep respect. The distant, businesslike air was gone; in an instant, his attitude had softened completely.
His orders were clear: anyone with this token must be given full support; no questions asked.
Though he wondered how such a young girl had obtained this token, it wasn’t his place to ask. He only had to follow orders.
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The Real Heiress’s New Family Adored by All
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