[Chapter 124: Soul-Nurturing Flower]
"Why is there a Night-blooming jasmine flower here?"
Seeing a solitary white flower growing alone in the garden, Daniel felt a surge of curiosity. He scanned the area, this was the only flower of its kind in the entire garden, surrounded by other plants and blossoms.
"Could it be that the others didn't survive, leaving just this one?" he wondered aloud, stepping closer for a better look.
"That's not right."
His expression turned serious.
Night-blooming Jasmine, also known as Stinking Jasmine, has leaves that give off a distinctive, unpleasant odor. Yet Daniel didn't detect any such scent. Leaning in closer, he brought his nose near a leaf.
There was no stench, instead, a faint, peculiar fragrance lingered.
"It looks like Night-blooming Jasmine but without the usual odor. Instead, there's this strange, subtle scent. Could this be..." Daniel's eyes suddenly lit up. "Could this be the soul-nurturing flower?"
He quickly found the butler, Charlie, and brought him to the garden. "What can you tell me about this flower?"
Charlie looked puzzled. "What's wrong with it?"
"There's only one," Daniel replied. "Don't you find that odd?"
Charlie studied it briefly. "It is a bit unusual, but I don't see any major problem."
"Who tends the garden?"
"That would be Kurt," Charlie answered. "He's very responsible and spends a lot of time caring for every one of these plants. He's really attentive."
Daniel muttered the name, "Kurt... does he have a deceased relative he's deeply attached to?"
Charlie's face showed surprise. "Mr. Cross, how did you know? More than twenty years ago, Kurt's wife died in a car accident. He was devastated and mourned her every day. He was only in his forties back then, but his hair turned completely white quickly. He's never remarried and still goes to the cemetery often to spend long hours there."
"That confirms it," Daniel said, quizzically. "Where is Kurt now?"
"He's done for the day and should be at home," Charlie replied.
"Ask him to come here."
Without hesitation, Charlie nodded. "I'll call him right away."
Before Charlie could get far, a voice called from behind, "What are you two talking about? Look at me!!"
Daniel and Charlie turned to see Frank Douglas approaching with quick, energetic steps. His demeanor looked remarkably improved, full of life and vitality.
Charlie was astonished. "Mr. Douglas, you..."
Frank Douglas laughed heartily. "Haha! Surprised, Charlie? Never thought there will come a day when I can be this light on my feet!"
Charlie's disbelief lingered as he glanced between Frank Douglas and Daniel. He knew this change was all thanks to Daniel. Otherwise, Frank Douglas wouldn't have transformed like this.
Frank got closer. "Mr. Cross, this is incredible! I feel powerful, my strength has grown, and I even seem a bit taller."
Daniel nodded. The changes to Frank Douglas were indeed remarkable.
He had considered giving Frank another Marrow Cleansing Elixir but thought better of it. As a billionaire, any drastic change to Frank Douglas's appearance all at once could cause serious trouble.
"Not bad," Daniel said gruffly. "A healthy body means you can live a few more years."
Though blunt, Daniel's words only made Frank Douglas smile wider.
"Mr. Cross, your elixirs are miraculous! If this ever got out, you'd surely win the Nobel Prize in Biology."
Daniel was taken aback. That hadn't occurred to him.
Though this was more metaphysical than biological -- forget the Nobel Prize.
Daniel urged Charlie, "Call Kurt here first. I have questions."
Charlie glanced at Frank Douglas for a moment.
Frank Douglas shrugged. "Just listen to Mr. Cross."
Charlie nodded and went to make the call.
Once Charlie left, Frank Douglas finally asked, "Mr. Cross, why do you want to see Kurt?"
Daniel pointed at the small flower. "Have you seen this before?"
"I don't pay attention to those things," Frank Douglas admitted.
Daniel wasn't surprised. How could a billionaire waste time on a single flower?
"This might be related to Katherine's Soul transfer," Daniel said quietly.
Frank Douglas's eyes widened immediately. He looked back at the flower, intrigued. "What kind of flower is it exactly?"
"I'm not certain," Daniel admitted. "That's why I want to ask Kurt."
...
More than half an hour later, Kurt arrived -- a black man in his sixties with short snow-white hair.
Seeing Frank Douglas, he looked a little nervous. "Mr. Douglas, you called for me?"
"Don't be nervous, Kurt," Frank Douglas said warmly. "You've worked for me for years and I'm very satisfied with your work. This is Mr. Cross, just answer his questions honestly."
Daniel wasted no time. "Kurt, do you recognize this flower?"
Kurt looked closely. "Of course."
Daniel pressed on. "Did this flower just appear on its own? Since it bloomed, has it ever withered?"
Kurt's eyes widened. "How did you know that?"
Hearing his answer, Daniel was certain.
This was the soul-nurturing flower.
It was the key ingredient in the Third-Grade Soul Condensing Elixir.
The flower looks like Night-blooming Jasmine, but besides growing from seeds, it can also sprout naturally by absorbing someone's constant yearning for a deceased loved one. That yearning must be intense, ongoing, and genuine.
Under the right conditions, the flower will bloom spontaneously and never wither once it does -- though picking it is a different matter.
Daniel said, "Thank you for coming, Kurt. I'm planning to pick this flower. Is that alright?"
Kurt hesitated, looking reluctant. "This flower grew in Mr. Douglas's garden, so it belongs to him. I don't have the authority to decide. It's fine as long as Mr. Douglas agrees."
Daniel said, "You've put a lot of time and effort into cultivating it. Frank, you should compensate him."
Frank immediately agreed. "Charlie, take Kurt to accounting and have him collect a check for fifty thousand dollars."
"Yes, sir," Charlie said promptly.
"Fifty thousand dollars?" Kurt was stunned. "Mr. Douglas, that's too much."
Daniel answered for Frank Douglas, "You deserve it. No need to refuse."
"Thank you, thank you, Mr. Douglas, and thank you, Mr. Cross," Kurt said deeply, following Charlie away, gratitude in his voice.
Only then did Daniel kneel down, pulling a small shovel from his pocket. He carefully dug up the soul-nurturing flower.
After placing it gently into a wooden box, he sealed it in the System Space, finally allowing himself to relax. Items stored there never decay, so the flower was safe.
"Frank, I never expected to find a soul-nurturing flower in your garden. This is a truly unexpected delight."
Daniel couldn't help but sigh, thinking of the old saying: For every deadly poison in the world, an antidote is found within five steps.
Even though Katherine wasn't poisoned, the sentiment still rang true.
Frank Douglas asked, "With this flower, can Katherine transfer her soul now?"
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.
https://discord.gg/HjHHhUXPn7.