Kevin’s patience wore thin, and he raised his voice, exclaiming, “Misters, what are we waiting for? You’re wasting time here! Just get down and show us your cargo! That’s the only way we can let you go!” He shot a stern glance their way, concealing his growing annoyance.Landon, the truck driver, responded with a touch of irritation, “It’s just candy, Officer! Children’s candy!”Kevin met his statement with a blank stare. “So, what’s stopping you from showing us the cargo? My advice is to quit acting suspiciously. If it’s genuinely just children’s candy, then come down and show us; it shouldn’t be that hard.”Gritting his teeth in frustration, Landon exchanged a glance with Jill, his eyebrow raised. “If we show them the cargo, what if they open it?”“Why should they? It’s not as if they suspect we’ll be carrying drugs, or do you think they do? Do you think that’s the reason for this checkpoint? Are they here for us?” Jill anxiously rushed the words, speaking in hushed tones.Landon l

The much-anticipated day of Madame Emma’s birthday finally dawned, casting an air of significance over Joanna and her family. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as preparations for Madame Emma’s grand birthday banquet unfolded within the opulent confines of one of the good hotels in Grove City.Madame Alice, Joanna’s mother, and her sister, Ashley, had taken up residence in the mansion for the past few days, still grappling with the sheer magnitude of their new surroundings.Amidst the hustle and bustle, an underlying motive fueled their presence: a plan to broach the topic with Joanna, proposing the idea of permanently residing with her.As the family readied themselves to leave the house for the celebration, Joanna, seemingly lost in the whirlwind of preparations, turned to Travis with a crucial inquiry. The weight of Madame Emma’s expectations bore down on her as she inquired about the readiness of the birthday present."Oh, here it is." Travis, flashing a reassuring smile, pr

Madame Emma's countenance transformed into a fiery display of anger as her cheeks swelled like vibrant blobs of red paint. A heated glare was directed specifically at Joanna, Travis, and especially Madame Alice, who had approached Madame Emma with the intent of offering greetings.In a torrent of furious words, Madame Emma unleashed her discontent, "What kind of gift are you presenting to me on my birthday, Alice, Joanna? This is utterly unacceptable!"Attempting to pacify the mounting tension, Madame Alice nervously intervened, "Please don't get so worked up, Mom. This is a pill called Eterna, purportedly a miraculous remedy for chronic diseases caused by the three highs..."Before she could conclude her explanation, Matthew interjected with a sardonic grin, "Are you insinuating that you all are eager for Mom to succumb to chronic diseases? Is that the underlying message behind gifting her this pill?""No, Mom, Uncle Matthew, that's not what my mom meant..."Joanna's complexion turne

Stepping into Cloud Palace felt akin to entering a genuine royal abode, their senses overwhelmed by the exquisite furnishings and exuberant lavishness that adorned its interior."Please come this way, Sir. This is our best VIP room," guided Vic Davidson, leading them towards a spacious enclave that radiated opulence.Despite the grandeur, Madame Alice found herself fidgeting, an uneasiness stemming from the unspoken understanding that dining in a VIP room often translated to a heftier bill. An advocate for practicality, she hesitated, "Why don't we just dine in the main hall? Let's skip the VIP room." Her knowledge of the unwritten rules in entertainment and dining outlets informed her decision, mindful of potential financial repercussions.The lush decor of Cloud Palace surpassed even the palaces she had witnessed on television, further intensifying her reservation about opting for the VIP room. Concerned that the bill might exceed their budget, Madame Alice proactively suggested for

As the complicated details of Professor Blaine’s explanation unfolded before their attentive ears, a trace of anxiety painted Matthew’s expression. With a furrowed brow, he inquired, “So, if I understand correctly, acquiring an Eterna pill is practically impossible now?”Professor Blaine acknowledged with a solemn nod, “Indeed, it has become an exceedingly rare commodity. Although I did hear rumors of an exorbitant ten million paid for such a pill in an auction a few years ago.” then he sighed and continued, “I know it's meaningless for you to know all about Eterna since it is almost impossible to find one of the pills these days."Matthew, deep in thought, contemplated the professor’s words. His head tilted, eyes narrowed, a sense of déjà vu lingered as the name Eterna resonated within him.He struggled to place where he might have encountered that term before.Amidst the contemplative atmosphere, Allison, too, experienced a sudden revelation. Her eyes widened in realization, and she