When it was his turn to talk, Mr. Barnes got straight to the point.

“Thank you for welcoming me. I'll keep this short," he began, his gaze briefly meeting Maria's.

"I want to share my expertise with the medical practitioners here, but I need someone to help with a demonstration. Ideally, a young woman. Any volunteers?"

As Mr. Barnes finished speaking, Mrs. Jenkins called out, "Maria, come over here!"

When Mrs. Jenkins called out her name, Maria didn't show any sign of being caught off guard.

Given that Mrs. Jenkins had deliberately summoned her up, it would've been odd if Mrs. Jenkins hadn't set her up.

"Wait!" Canaan called out, halting suddenly. Knowing that Mrs. Jenkins had ulterior motives, he was determined to protect Maria.

Mr. Barnes, observing this, immediately showed a look of displeasure.

Canaan, ignoring Mr. Barnes' reaction, went on, “Maria‘s not a healer.

She's into alchemy. Mr. Barnes, if you're looking for a volunteer, why not consider a healer or someone who's been one before, like Barbara?"

Canaan stood his ground, suggesting Barbara as an alternative.

Didn't Mr. Barnes specifically request a female volunteer? Barbara, being around Maria's age, seemed like an ideal candidate.

Canaan's logic was reasonable, but Mr. Barnes' reaction took him by surprise.

Mr. Barnes shook his head.

"No. I've tutored Barbara. I know her, and she's not the right fit for a demonstration." He didn't even bother explaining his statement.

Canaan, sensing the flimsiness of Mr. Barnes’ excuse, was ready to back Maria up.

But Mr. Barnes cut in, pointing at Maria, "I think she's perfect. Is she from the Jenkins family? Is she willing to contribute to the family's medical advancements?"

This felt like coercion, typical of someone in a high position exerting pressure.

"Canaan! What are you doing? Do you want to embarrass our family and turn us into a joke for other families?" Mrs. Jenkins stepped in.

Mrs. Jenkins hastily added, "Mr. Barnes is a medical master. I asked you to come here for him because you're an elder of the Jenkins family. Show some respect! You're just a weaponry refiner, knowing nothing about medicine. You can't tell Mr. Barnes what to do in his field, can you?" Mrs. Jenkins' words silenced Canaan once more.

But Mrs. Jenkins didn't stop there. She turned to Maria and said, "Maria, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As a member of the Jenkins family, you are supposed to feel honored to be granted with the opportunity to help the family advance medically. You wouldn't say no to that, would you?"

Canaan bristled at her words. What did she just say?

Maria, at just twenty, was already a skilled pill alchemist. She topped the Pill Alchemist Association's admission and had even created a sixth-grade pill! Her talent was exceptional, something any other family would cherish as a key to their future success.

But Mrs. Jenkins just forced Maria to be a volunteer for Mr. Barnes to demonstrate medical skills. What a misuse of Maria's talents!