Chapter 1719: How Is She?

Frieda was annoyed by Jonathan's lecture. Let's see what else he'll say when I become Mrs. Crawford! she thought.

“All right, all right,” she retorted. “It's as if I haven't done enough by bringing the King of Medicine here to help with the treatment. What else do you want from me?” Her attitude reflected her burgeoning aspirations to join society's upper echelons.

Sensing her annoyance, Jonathan realized he, too, had been unnecessarily curt. While Frieda's dislike for Roxanne was evident, he felt he should acknowledge her assistance. I shouldn't have put her down like that, he thought.

He softened his tone. “I shouldn't have said that. You did Dr. Jarvis and Mr. Farwell a favor by bringing in Old Mr. Lomax. I'll tell Grandpa about it.”

Frieda's displeasure subsided. “That's more like it,” she said.

Jonathan sighed helplessly. Interacting with his sister felt like walking on eggshells; he had to be cautious in his words and actions.

Peregrine entered, interrupting Jonathan's phone conversation. “Hey, what are you doing out there?” he asked, seeing Jonathan talking on his phone.

After ending his call with Frieda, Jonathan greeted Peregrine. “I was talking to my sister. She called to check if everything was okay.”

Peregrine frowned at the mention of Frieda. “Your sister isn't on good terms with Roxanne, is she?”

Jonathan hesitated. Peregrine, despite having only met Frieda and Roxanne once, had sensed their strained relationship.

Embarrassed, Jonathan nodded. “Frieda is… difficult, but she's improving.”

Peregrine remained silent, choosing not to press the issue. Why would Frieda invite me if she's not on good terms with Roxanne? Even Shawn hasn't shown up, he mused.

Jonathan and Peregrine entered the lab. Madilyn, having just finished lunch, resumed her work. Spotting Peregrine, she stopped and greeted him, “You're here, Old Mr. Lomax.”

Peregrine nodded, gesturing for her to continue. He watched as she worked, and as a molecular formula appeared on the screen. Some suggested ingredients sparked ideas for further experimentation.

Meanwhile, Roxanne received the blood test results. Studying the report, she fell into deep thought. She and Peregrine examined the ingredients together, unable to identify a particular herb.

The elderly man stared at the molecular formula. “It seems there's no need to neutralize the poisonous herbs with that particular medicinal herb,” he murmured.

The molecular formula on the screen had clearly been altered. The herb in question was unlikely to dispel the poison, yet Jack had used it in Roxanne's antidote.

Back at the Queen residence, Frieda began preparing for a meeting with Shawn, having spent an hour on makeup and another thirty minutes choosing an outfit. She could have called him, but chose a meeting instead, harboring a hidden agenda.