[Chapter 125: Great Kindness Is Like Great Enmity]
Frank Douglas asked, "With this soul-nurturing flower, can we transfer Katherine's soul now?"
Daniel replied, "At least our hope is stronger, and we're one big step closer to success."
Hearing this, Frank smiled. "Let's go celebrate properly."
At dinner, Frank Douglas finally understood why Daniel had asked him to prepare food for ten people: he was truly starving. He felt like he could eat an entire cow. He devoured the food like a whirlwind, stuffing it into his mouth nonstop.
Frank hadn't eaten so wildly in a long time. He didn't even remember the last time he ate like this, maybe when he first earned his own money.
The meal lasted nearly two hours before everyone parted ways.
Although Daniel drank alcohol, his magic had long since neutralized its effects.
In his joy, Frank Douglas gave Daniel an additional five million dollars in funding. He said it was for purchasing Elixirs.
Daniel was speechless. He hadn't intended to charge Frank Douglas again, after all, Frank had already paid six million dollars before. But since the money was offered, Daniel didn't refuse.
On the way back, Daniel was in a great mood. He hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise from delivering Elixirs to Frank Douglas.
The soul-nurturing flower was a very rare medicinal ingredient, obtained in a stroke of luck.
With the new five million dollars from Frank Douglas, Daniel's funds suddenly swelled.
He kept five million in cash and invested the rest in Apple and Google stocks.
As for taxes, it wasn't tax season yet, so there was no urgency.
...
That evening, Marcus Hale finally responded.
"Mr. Cross, I've found some ingredients in the industry, but I'm still searching for a few more. Please give me more time."
Daniel replied, "Send me a list of the ingredients you've gathered so far."
Not long after, a list arrived.
Daniel looked it over and realized he had enough ingredients for two more Grade 3 Elixirs. However, none were for the Soul Condensing Elixir.
There were still some missing ingredients for it, but not many.
Daniel told Marcus to keep searching and to let him know once everything was gathered.
...
The next morning, Daniel sent a message to Scarlett, asking when she'd be free.
She didn't reply, probably filming and without her phone.
Daniel then drove to Cross Hall and opened for business.
Shortly after, Scarlett responded: "Mr. Cross, I'm filming in Detroit right now. I'm free this weekend. Do you need me for something?"
Daniel said, "Oh, right. You mentioned Detroit. Never mind, we can talk when you get back."
Scarlett offered, "It's fine. If you need me, I can fly back."
Daniel figured if he made Scarlett taller now, the shots before and after filming wouldn't match.
He replied, "No need. Finish filming first. This isn't urgent."
"Alright then." Scarlett didn't insist.
...
The entire morning, not a single customer came into the shop.
The same was true in the afternoon, not one person.
Daniel was used to it. As soon as five o'clock hit, he closed the shop and left.
The next day, he didn't arrive until after ten in the morning.
Before he even parked, he saw someone pacing back and forth in front of the door.
Daniel stopped and looked again.
It was a young woman, likely Latina by her skin tone. She wasn't tall, about Scarlett's height, but her features were striking.
Daniel found her somewhat familiar but couldn't place her at first.
He opened the door and got out of the car, studying her carefully.
Suddenly, his expression froze.
Her face was exactly like Megan's had been, covered in Death energy, as if she were on the brink of death.
This meant that without outside help, she would soon perish.
Daniel was sure she had come for him, but he still asked, "Are you looking for me?"
The woman stopped and asked, "Are you Mr. Cross?"
"I am. Please wait a moment."
Daniel pulled out his keys, unlocked the door, and invited her inside.
"Please have a seat. Would you like something to drink?"
"Just a glass of water, please. Thank you."
Daniel handed her a bottle of water. She didn't hesitate and drank half of it in one gulp.
"Excuse me, I'm a little scared."
She seemed to realize she'd been blunt.
Daniel reassured her, "It's okay. What should I call you?"
"My name is Francia Raisa. You can just call me Thea."
"Francia Raisa?"
The name rang a bell.
Daniel stared at her for a moment until he finally remembered.
She was also an actress, though by the timeline, she shouldn't have debuted yet. She wasn't very popular either and hadn't played any big roles.
But she had done something that had made all of Hollywood remember her. She donated one of her kidneys to her close friend, Selena Gomez.
Selena suffered from lupus erythematosus, a disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy organs.
Her kidneys had failed, requiring a transplant.
At the time, Selena called it the greatest gift she'd ever received.
However, Selena later announced that Taylor Swift was her only true friend in the industry.
She hadn't even invited Francia to her wedding.
There's an old saying: "Great kindness is like great enmity."
Maybe Selena felt she owed Francia too much and couldn't repay her, turning kindness into pressure and no longer considering her a true friend. Or maybe Selena thought Francia wasn't famous enough to be her close friend, only Taylor Swift, who was popular worldwide, was worthy.
No one really knows.
But one thing was certain: Francia was a kind person, willing to give her organs to help a friend.
Daniel had taken note of her because of that news.
After remembering who she was, Daniel couldn't help but respect the young woman.
"You're so young. You should still be in school, right?"
"Yes, I'm studying acting at a performing arts school. My dream is to become an excellent actress."
Daniel smiled. "That's a wonderful dream. Now, let's talk about what's happening to you."
Francia picked up the bottle again, took a big gulp, and her expression grew nervous. Her face even paled slightly.
He knew something serious was wrong, otherwise, she wouldn't have come to Daniel.
Daniel waited patiently while she put down the water bottle, then asked, "Do you know that something bad has happened to you?"
Francia gave a bitter smile. "Mr. Cross, are you asking if I know I'm about to die?"
Hearing her say it, Daniel didn't hold back. "Yes. Since you said it, you know your problem is very serious."
"Yes. Someone close to me has already passed away."
Daniel asked, "Can you tell me everything that happened to you?"
Francia replied, "I watched a videotape."
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.
https://discord.gg/HjHHhUXPn7.