“Oh,” Juniper said, deciding not to press further after seeing the strange look on Harold’s face.
Just as the atmosphere turned awkward, Shanley’s phone rang. It was a call from the family estate.
“My grandparents invited Dr. Zigmund for dinner tonight. They want to know if we’re coming back,” Shanley said, his eyes on Juniper.
“Dr. Zigmund?” Harold paused for a moment before it clicked. “You don’t mean the president of the Orient Country Medical Association?”
“That’s the one,” Shanley confirmed with a nod, his voice magnetic. “Dr. Zigmund and my grandfather are old friends.”
“What a coincidence,” Harold said with a small smile. “My professor called me last night and asked me to join him for an interview.”
He never imagined it would be at Shanley’s family home.
“Is that so?” Shanley tilted his head, his gaze fixed on the girl devouring her mango. “My grandmother mentioned she’s preparing a lot of new dishes this time. Are you…”
“I’m in,” Juniper cut him off, looking up without a moment’s hesitation.
Shanley wanted to weep. She was such a little foodie.
“See you tonight, Dr. Houston,” Shanley said, helping Juniper to her feet.
“See you tonight,” Harold replied with a smile.
He was well aware of the Schwartz family’s prestige and status in Eclara City, and indeed all of Borealia. Compared to a powerful dynasty like that, his own family’s background felt a bit thin. Such prominent families cared deeply about social standing. He wondered if they looked down on Juniper’s origins. This visit would be a good opportunity to find out.
If the Schwartz family dared to disrespect Juniper or cause her the slightest bit of grief, he might not approve of this union either.
...
“It’s true, don’t doubt it for a second!” Hannah exclaimed, waving her hands excitedly, her face beaming with pride. “She may be young, but her medical skills are incredible. She’s the one who saved my husband’s life.”
“Really?” Dr. Zigmund asked, holding his coffee cup, clearly skeptical. “How old is she?”
“I think she’s still in her last year of high school,” Hannah replied after a moment of thought.
Dr. Zigmund fell silent, his disbelief now obvious. A high school girl with incredible medical skills? The only young medical genius he knew of was his Master. Anyone else was probably just a case of a blind squirrel finding a nut.
“She’s coming over later. I’ll introduce you,” Hannah said, her smile growing wider at the mention of Juniper.
“Fine, fine,” Dr. Zigmund agreed half-heartedly.
As a guest, it wouldn’t be polite to argue. A high school senior, was it? If she truly had some talent, she could pick a medical-related major in college. He had plenty of students he could assign her to, and with their guidance, she might amount to something.

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