Had his worries been for nothing?

Unable to contain his curiosity, Grover inquired further, “If that be the case, why does Mr. Gregory not strive to regain his eighth-grade status?"

After a momentary pause, Maria spoke, her voice laced with reminiscence.

“Mr. Gregory has resolved never to concoct another pill in his lifetime. To him, restoring his talent holds little significance. Even if his strength were to dwindle to that of a lowly first-grade pill alchemist, it would bear no consequence for him."

As she spoke, Maria recalled something Goodwin had told her on their first encounter.

“I shall no longer craft pills, but my stores of medicinal ingredients are plentiful. Should you ever venture into the realm of pill alchemy, I extend to you a generous discount of ninety percent on those precious resources."

It was true that pill alchemists were a rare breed of expert. And it required a lot of money to teach people how to make pills.

Since her earliest days of learning alchemy, Maria had relied upon the provisions of Goodwin himself.

The goods arrived through a specialized logistical network from Broome to the Jenkins Village outside Sheffield.

The tumult caused by Goodwin gradually diminished after he exposed himself as the members of the Jenkins family had lose interest in him.

Meanwhile, the scene shifted as another pristine, white Luxury vehicle gracefully entered the square.

With the opening of its doors, the host's voice once again resounded through the air, vibrant with excitement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mrs. Julie Smith, the esteemed general manager of the illustrious Sky Group and the biological sibling of the current head of the esteemed Smith family in Broome! Let's welcome her!"

Yes.

It was none other than Julie herself who emerged from the elegant vehicle!

At the mention of her title, "the esteemed general manager of the Sky Group", the members of the Jenkins family collectively held their breath.

Most had been under the impression that the representative sent by the Sky Group on a previous occasion had merely been the chauffeur of the group's boss.

Witnessing the arrival of a genuine high-ranking executive, a general manager, at the Jenkins family's competition Left them awestruck.

A tapestry of emotions unfolded among the crowd. Joy mingled with sorrow, elation with envy. The presence of such influential guests from both the Pill Alchemist Association and the Sky Group inspired a complex web of feelings within the Jenkins family.

“Alas!”

Not everyone was happy, of course!

Canaan, silently observing the spectacle, released a heavy sigh.

“Mrs. Jenkins is quite influential!" he muttered to himself.

Canaan remained oblivious to the fact that Mrs. Jenkins was also tangled in a web of complex emotions.