"How do you know Lily isn't using you as an experimental subject?"

Austin smiled knowingly, producing a pen and paper. He lowered his head to write, speaking casually, "I don't mind you knowing that she and I work at the same lab. She might know some alternative medicine and herbal remedies. Of course, she's primarily a perfumer, and may have picked up some knowledge through self-study." He paused, looking up at Anastasia. "However, those who self-learn lack practical experience. They'll seize any opportunity to put their knowledge to the test."

Enlightened, Maria turned to Anastasia. "Tasia, she's using you as a guinea pig!"

Anastasia was speechless. Austin's words unsettled her. She wanted to dismiss them, to believe Lily would never treat her that way. If that's true, why does Lily always say she's not trying to help me lose weight and doesn't know how to cure people, even though she's adjusting my diet? If she really knew about herbal medicine, even if self-taught, she could have just told me, couldn't she? "I know you're a good friend to her, and you might not believe me. Ask her if what I said is true."

Pocketing his pen, he offered a half-smile, unconcerned about being proven wrong. "Here's a prescription. Whether you use it is your choice. If you don't believe me, that's fine. As you said, it's your body and health. If you don't want to be my experimental subject, why should you be anyone else's?" He rose. "I've said my piece. The decision is yours."

He started for the door. Startled, Maria hurried after him. "Mr. Fike, we believe you! What should we do next?"

"If she's willing to take the medicine as prescribed, I'll return in ten days to check her pulse." He glanced back at Anastasia, who sat dazed, her back to him, overwhelmed by his words.

"Yes, we'll follow your instructions," Maria quickly assured him, attentively seeing him off.

Back on the sofa, Anastasia pondered Austin's assertion that Lily had self-taught herbal medicine and, lacking experience, would jump at any chance to experiment.

Meanwhile, Lily was double-checking a recipe. She wasn't a cooking expert, but had learned to read recipes for Anastasia. Finding weight-loss-friendly foods was easy; she simply let her cooks select ingredients and prepare meals accordingly. However, she always considered Anastasia's preferences, choosing foods she'd enjoy. But the recipes and menu were secondary. The real challenge was addressing Anastasia's complex toxicity.

Yes, she's poisoned! Lily had initially doubted it, as the symptoms were mild. She'd unintentionally discovered it while taking Anastasia's pulse. If Lily was correct, the poisoning stemmed from plants in Anastasia's house.