Not A Small-Town Girl

Chapter 9-2

"Fine, Moreno it is. Let them test me, Danielle said coolly. Since Audrey was asking for it, she’d show her what she was really capable of Rising gracefully, Danielle gathered her things. "I have somewhere to be. Excuse me."

"Ivan, show her to the garage. She can take any car she likes, Howard said.

The offer delighted Danielle, who wasn’t fond of being chauffeured anyway. Getting rideshares up to the Treeside Villa was always a hassle.

In the garage, Danielle surveyed dozens of luxury vehicles, each worth millions. She selected a Ferrari, slid behind the wheel, and shot out of the garage with expert precision.

Her coffee-drinking family watched from the terrace, startled by her speed. "Wait. Does she even have a license?" Howard frantically dialed her number.

"Danielle, I forgot to ask-do you have a driver’s license?" he asked anxiously.

"Yes, Dad. Don’t worry," she assured him, knowing they might have been scared by her speed as she expertly maneuvered through traffic.

"Alright, drive safe." Howard ended the call, visibly relieved.

The Ferrari pulled up at York Pharmacy with a sleek flourish. Juniper Foster had been waiting impatiently outside.

"Finally! I’ve missed you so much!" She rushed forward, linking arms with Danielle as they walked inside.

"The Heart Elixir Pills are running low. I’m here to make more, Danielle explained, glancing at her friend. "There’s an auction at Waywood Club day after tomorrow. Come with me?"

"The Crimson Lily, perhaps?" Juniper asked excitedly.

"Yeah. We need it for the Miracle Antidote," Danielle replied.

"Once that formula succeeds, we’ll make a fortune!" Juniper’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Danielle smiled at her friend’s enthusiasm as she changed into her work clothes and entered the laboratory.

Back at the Darling residence, Audrey worked her subtle manipulation. "Dad, Mom, Danielle is new to the city and doesn’t know anyone. Instead of staying home with family, she’s always going out alone. What if she runs into bad people?"

Her carefully planted seeds of concern took root as their parents exchanged worried glances.

"You’re right. The city can be dangerous for newcomers, Vivian fretted.

"We’ll discuss adding some security detail when she returns," Howard decided. "Protection without restricting her freedom."