Canaan even felt a twinge of revulsion toward Mr. Barnes for this unexpected proposition. He couldn't shake the feeling that Mr. Barnes' intentions were far from honorable.

"Maria's destiny lies in alchemy, and her future shines brightly. And with Mr. Gregory's guidance, she's in the best hands. No need for another mentor. Medicine and alchemy are worlds apart. Mr. Barnes wants Maria to drop her alchemical pursuit of medicine? That's not right. There's something fishy about his intentions."

Canaan could see clearly what those healers in the Jenkins family couldn't. He was adamant about not letting Maria be swayed into being a healer.

With a determined voice, Canaan suggested, "Mr. Barnes, you should be aware of Maria's significant strides in alchemy. Moreover, she's a recent inductee into the Pill Alchemist Association, a clear indication of her bright career."

Canaan then turned his attention to the matter of the Peony Pill.

"And this Peony Pill you're offering her, how did it end up with you?

Everyone knows it was Maria's masterpiece at the charity auction.

Sure, others might want it, but Maria, the creator herself, does not need your handouts!"

Canaan's blunt words echoed his deep-seated suspicion of Mr. Barnes‘ motives.

“Interesting... Mr. Barnes, accustomed to a life of comfort and superiority, had long forgotten the sting of being contradicted.

Today, Canaan from the Jenkins family dared to challenge him. Mr. Barnes fixed a piercing gaze on Canaan, his eyes brimming with an unmistakable warning, even a threat.

“Sure enough, Mr. Barnes is up to no good. I've got to stop him from getting his hands on Maria," Canaan thought firmly.

Mr. Barnes was a medical master. The intensity in Mr. Barnes' stare was so strong that Canaan couldn't stand meeting his gaze directly.

Though angry and rattled, Canaan was aware that playing against someone as formidable as Mr. Barnes could land him in hot water.

Just then, Mrs. Jenkins stepped in.

"Canaan, Mr. Barnes wants to mentor Maria, and that's his call, not yours. What gives you the right to cause a scene?"

She pressed on, asserting her authority, “We have rules in this family. I haven't even spoken yet, and here you are, jumping the gun.

Are you trying to sideline me? Do you think you run the Jenkins family?" Mrs. Jenkins’ tone was both questioning and authoritative.

The world would fall to ruins without rules. In a family as prominent as theirs, adherence to rules was paramount, almost as binding as law.

Aware of this, Canaan didn't dare openly challenge Mrs. Jenkins' He his "I'm authority. quickly bowed, acknowledging misstep. sorry.

I didn't mean to undermine your authority. I apologize to you, and to Mr. Barnes as well..."

Canaan's heart weighed heavy with bitterness. The old adage rang true.

The weak stood little chance against the strong. Alone, he felt powerless. Yet, he took some comfort in having made his stance clear to Maria. He trusted Maria's wisdom to see through Mr. Barnes' confident she wouldn't abandon her of for proposal, pursuit alchemy medicine.

Mrs. Jenkins was in a pretty good mood after silencing Canaan.