Now, for Julie, Maria was her only daughter and the most precious person.

As Julie finally ascended the stage, she refrained from uttering any peculiar phrases, unlike the eccentric Goodwin. Instead, she elegantly nodded to Mrs. Jenkins and Canaan before gracefully taking her seat. Sitting next to Goodwin, she felt compelled to offer a greeting. However, Goodwin, uninterested in the captivating senior executive or the Sky Group, responded with an empty nod and no words.

Mrs. Jenkins also saw what happened.

True enough, the Sky Group has yet to establish a solid footing in the ancient martial world, and it hasn't even managed to catch Mr. Gregory's eye. Mrs. Jenkins thought to herself.

She had been in such a pleasant mood that she didn't mind Goodwin's odd behavior before.

However, Mrs. Jenkins would notice a problem in a matter of seconds.

"I appreciate your caring about Maria, Mr. Gregory," Julie said.

“What? You are..." Goodwin's excitement spiked right away.

“I'm Maria's mother,"

Julie replied.

"So you're Maria's... mother?” Goodwin's eyes lit up as if he weren't drowsy moments earlier

After discovering Julie's identity, Goodwin, who had been unwilling to speak, became talkative.

“Your name is Julie Smith, right? It's my first time meeting you. I apologize I couldn't prepare a gift for you beforehand."

Julie was shocked at how Goodwin's attitude shifted towards her. She quickly replied, “You're my elder. I couldn't possibly accept a gift from you. I heard from someone that you're currently living in the auction house of the Pill Alchemist Association. I'll make sure to visit you in the next few days."

“Julie, you have a knack for being respectful and considerate. Please wait a moment. Here it is! I still have half a bag left of the ‘Immortal Herb‘. That is a type of herbal medicine. I didn't create pills for twenty years, but this Immortal Herb doesn't need to be refined. All you have to do is brew it, and then you can drink it directly."

Julie's eyes widened when Goodwin placed half a bag of Immortal Herb into her palm.

Goodwin smiled at her as he said, “The herb is not a kind of panacea or elixir, but it can still help you preserve your youth and health. Drink it as tea. I guarantee your diseases will fade as time passes, and you might live over one hundred years old."

Mrs. Jenkins' eyes followed them as they whispered amongst themselves. When she overheard Goodwin speak of the ‘Immortal Herb’, she knew she had to have it herself.

The former grade-eight pill alchemist pulled out something extraordinary.

How could Mrs. Jenkins sit still when she was slowly approaching her late eighties?

In a polite tone, she asked Goodwin, "Would you happen to have more of the herb? Could I have some? Would you name a price for it? I'm willing to pay whatever it's worth."

Goodwin's eyes narrowed at her words. "It's no use," he replied.

His tone was similar to a medical expert, saying, “There's no need for you to get treated. The best thing to do is to go home and enjoy what's left of your life."

Mrs. Jenkins was so surprised that she almost fell out of her chair. Goodwin added, “The herb only works for people under the age of eighty. I've recently celebrated my eightieth birthday, so I only have half a bag of the herb left."