Luca knew about medicines, and Old Master Crawford was worried that she would refuse to drink the tonic. If that happened,
everything he planned would be for nothing. Hence, he tried his best to make Luca believe that he had no intentions of harming
her.
“This is the tonic that the old master had prepared for the two of you. We got the herbs from Dr. Archer. It's good for young
people who often stay up all night to work," added Mr. Griffin.
Mr. Griffin knew what the old master was up to.
Mr. Griffin had been serving the Crawford family for years. He knew Luke since he was a boy and watched him grow up into an
adult. Hence, he had the same thought as the old master. They both hoped for the best for Luke.
At least that way, Luke would not have to be alone for the rest of his life. He would have someone he loved to keep him
company.
The old master meant no harm. He could see that Luke and Luca had feelings for each other, but they were making slow
progress. That was why the old master was anxious about it.
It was not a bad thing if someone gave them a push.
At least, it was not a bad thing for Luke.
Luca looked at the tonic in front of her and glanced at Old Master Crawford with her brows raised.
Old Master Crawford met her incredulous gaze and said, "Come on, drink it. Do you think I'm going to harm you?"
"Old Master Crawford, I had tea an hour ago. I'm worried if I drink this now.." Luca was worried that she would be taking too
many nutrients today. She usually took care of her health well, and she did not need to drink any tonic.
Besides, Shanks had been giving her various types of medicines after she gave birth to Nyla. It was not because he treated her
as an experimental tool to test his drugs, but because he was helping her recuperate her health.
The health issues she used to have after giving birth and the complications she suffered because of her depression when she
was pregnant were cured by Shanks.
Her health was better than most people's.
"Don't worry. The medicinal effects in the tonic and tea don't conflict with each other," Old Master Crawford said with a smile. He
sounded more friendly only when he was talking to Luca.
Tommy tugged on Luca's sleeves and said adorably, "Ms. Luca, just drink it. Great-grandpa prepared it for you."
Luke picked up the spoon, took a sip of the tonic, and frowned. “It doesn't taste good."
Old Master Crawford glared at Luke and said, "Is there any medicine that tastes sweet?"
"Great-grandpa, the medicine Ms. Luca makes tastes sweet just like candy," Tommy raised his hand and answered.
Old Master Crawford gave his great-grandson a kind look and replied, "Of course. That medicine is meant for kids, so it must be
sweet. But it's normal for the medicine to taste a little bitter for adults. Luca, come on, drink it. Take it as a token of my
appreciation."
Old Master Crawford had taken it this far. Luca would make him look bad if she refused to drink the tonic.
Luca picked up her spoon and took a sip.
The taste of the tonic was indeed as expected after seeing its color. It tasted bitter. Luca could taste that there were several
herbs added to the tonic. She was able to differentiate some of them, but she needed to look at the dregs of the tonic to see
what was inside the tonic.
Although the tonic tasted bitter, Luca looked calm as she finished the tonic while the old master stared at her.
Tommy picked up a cherry tomato from the fruit bowl and handed it to Luca. "Ms. Luca, the tonic tastes bitter. Have some fruit."
"It's okay. I'm alright with it," replied Luca. Although she could take the bitterness, she thought it would be better not to reject her
child's kindness, so she took the cherry tomato from Tommy and ate it anyway.
Susan was green with envy looking at them.
She heard Mrs. Nancy say that Old Master Crawford had bought some expensive herbs. Although she did not know what herbs
he bought, the old master had reminded them over and over again to seal them tight and keep them dry as the herbs had good
medicinal properties.
Perhaps the herbs were cooked and turned into this bowl of tonic.
"Since I've been feeling tired after taking care of Thea these few days and the tonic has such miraculous effects... Mr. Griffin,
please get one for me. Oh, by the way, Louis and Yuri must be tired too. Why don't you serve three bowls of tonic for us?"
instructed Susan. Even though she had seen many precious and expensive herbs in Crawford Manor, she refused to get the
short end of the stick.
Mr. Griffin appeared to be reluctant. Three bowls?
It would be fine if Louis and Yuri drank it. They were a couple, after all. However, Susan might suffer the whole night if she drank
the tonic.
Susan's face turned gloomy when she realized Mr. Griffin did not intend to serve her the tonic. She scowled. "What's wrong?
Surely, you didn't prepare only two bowls of tonic, right?"
"Go and get her the tonic. Don't let the children have it. It's too nutritious for them, and it's not suitable for the children," said Old
Master Crawford. Susan was too greedy. She had already drank the tea, yet she wanted the tonic now.
Old Master Crawford was not planning to stop her. He knew she would be suffering tonight.
Mr. Griffin had no choice but to follow the instructions given. He served all the tonic that was left in the pot.
Louis was not planning on drinking it in the beginning. After all, this was the tonic the old master had prepared for Luke. Louis
was still young, and he could still maintain his health well even though he was tired and busy.
Louis was not jealous of the old master's special arrangements. After all, the old master did not side with anyone.
Luke's work was much more tiring than his.
Still, Susan insisted on Louis drinking the tonic. “You must drink a bowl of tonic since it's such a nutritious tonic. Otherwise, you'll
waste the old master's effort in asking the servants to prepare it, right?"
Louis had no choice but to drink the tonic. There was nothing great about the taste, and it was pungent. Louis took a sip of it and
refused to drink it anymore. "It tastes awful."
Yuri put down her spoon too. The tonic tasted much more terrible than the one she used to drink.
"Good medicine always tastes bitter. Don't stop. Just finish the tonic." Susan took a sip of the tonic and frowned immediately.
However, she remembered what Mrs. Nancy said. She bit the bullet by picking up the bowl, taking a deep breath, and finishing
the tonic.
Luca sat opposite them and watched how hard it was for them to finish the tonic. Then, she glanced at Luke.
Luke slightly frowned when he tasted the tonic.
Not everyone could handle bitterness well.
Old Master Crawford watched Susan force Louis and his wife to drink the tonic, then he asked Mr. Griffin to serve them the fruit
bowl.
It was not for Susan but Louis and his wife. After all, they did not need to drink the tonic. It was just an accident.
Susan picked up a berry and put it in her mouth immediately after she finished the tonic. She finally let out a sigh of relief when
the sweet taste of the berry melted in her mouth and covered up the bitterness of the tonic. "This tonic is too bitter."
Louis picked up a berry for Yuri too. Then, he placed one in his mouth and asked the old master, "Grandpa, why did you ask Dr.
Archer to give you such bitter medicine?"
"Every medicine tastes bitter, and Dr. Archer was the one who prescribed it. I have nothing to do with this," answered Old Master
Crawford. Then, he turned to look at Luca, "Luca, why don't you spend the night here? I've already asked the maid to clean up
the bedroom for you."
"Old Master Crawford, I'm sorry, but I think I should go back and sleep." Luca declined instantly. If Luca agreed to spend the
night here, Susan's eyes would pierce through her like a spear.