Mikayla quickly lowered her head. “Madam Baxter, don’t worry. I know the rules.”

Only then did Brielle leave with her attendants.

Amari scratched his messy hair with an awkward chuckle.

A short distance away, Brielle muttered, “Mikayla is calculating, her goals and desires far too obvious. Amari, don’t go making trouble and dragging Andrew into it. Then again, why am I even meddling in their business? Maybe I just don’t want to see that remarkable boy fall into a trap. Besides, there’s still the Soul–Restoring Pill he promised me.”

Soon after, Mikayla and Caden exited Sovereign’s Apothecary together.

Caden, his eyes full of admiration, tried to sound casual as he asked, “Mikayla, are you free tomorrow? A few of us classmates recently advanced in our alchemy training, and we’re planning a little gathering. Would you like to come?”

Mikayla flashed a charming smile. “A gathering? That sounds nice. But unfortunately, I really do have important matters tomorrow, so I’ll have to miss this one. You all go ahead without me. Next time, alright?”

Caden’s face showed disappointment, but he forced a smile. “Alright, next time then. Mikayla, you’re so hard to ask out. See you.”

Mikayla smiled. “See you! Next time, I promise.”

Once Caden left, she slid into her Bentley. Inside, Isabelle sat with a tablet in her hands, watching cartoons.

Without looking up, she muttered, “Mikayla, you clearly don’t want anything to do with those losers. Why not just reject him outright and have him give up?”

Mikayla shook her head with a laugh. “Belle, you’re too innocent; you don’t understand. If I reject him directly, he’ll stop calling on me, and I’ll lose influence over him. Leaving things vague keeps people in my orbit. If I want to stand firm at Sovereign’s Apothecary, having a few followers and admirers is a must.”

Isabelle rolled her eyes and murmured, “Mikayla, there’s always a manipulative character in every cartoon. You kind of fit the description.”

Mikayla huffed coldly. “People can call me what they like. I go after what I want, and I don’t think that’s wrong. Besides, it’s not me chasing them; it’s them chasing me.”

“Oh,” Isabelle replied dismissively before returning to her cartoon.

Then, she suddenly said, “I saw Andrew coming out earlier.”

Mikayla sneered. “He was delusional, thinking he could meet Madam Baxter. I bet he left empty–handed, tail between his legs. What a pity. Ten years ago, he was the golden boy, the pride of the Lloyd family’s royal line. Back then, no one in Chetvine dared refuse him.”

Isabelle shrugged her small shoulders. “Andrew seems pitiful now. I kind of want to help him.”

Mikayla frowned as the driver pulled away. “Belle, why are you suddenly so concerned about Andrew? Focus on your martial training and leave everything else alone.”

Isabelle pouted, looking bored. “I just think he’s a good person. He used to be everyone’s idol. Even though he’s returned with nothing but enemies and a ruined name, the last time, he still held back against me. And I attacked him with everything I had. He’s still that warmhearted older brother we once looked up to.”

Mikayla’s voice turned icy. “You’re imagining things. Listen to me: Andrew is dangerous. Back in Chetvine, he’ll keep hitting walls until he fades into obscurity. Instead of wasting your kindness on him, you should pay attention to the new talents rising in Chetvine. Kyrie from the Harding family is pursuing you, isn’t he? Why not give him a little response? Treat him like a pet dog if you must.”

Isabelle made a disgusted face. “That brainless idiot? Just thinking about him makes me sick. Men? I don’t even care about men. I could crush any of them with one punch.”

Mikayla shook her head helplessly. “Fine, have it your way. But stay out of Andrew’s business. I won’t tolerate it, and your family will punish you if you meddle.”

“Got it,” Isabelle said softly, though her eyes betrayed that she did not mean it at all.