"Grandma, what about Rachel? Did she fail to learn?" I asked.

"Yeah," Grandma replied noncommittally.

I had no choice but to post the job opening like she had asked.

Soon, someone showed up to apply for the job, which was not surprising because many would give the job a try for the high pay that Grandma offered her apprentices. But Grandma only took in females as her students.

This time, a young woman, Beth Hoffman, got the job. Grandma was satisfied with Beth when she first laid eyes on the latter. Beth stayed with us for half a month before Grandma finally brought her into that dark room.

At the same time, I was chased out to the courtyard.

I didn't hear Beth screaming from that room, but ever since that day, something within her had changed. She was no longer the woman who loved to smile.

And this might be my illusion, but sometimes, I felt that she slowly grew to resemble Grandma.

…

Another couple visited Grandma one day. The balding man was decked in gold chains, looking like a man made of gold from afar.

As usual, the female companion was pretty. She was practically hanging on him.

"Madam Albright, I have too many requests. What do we do?" The man spat out his gum before politely consulting Grandma.

She looked at him before turning to Beth.

Finally, she replied, "Well, if we draw one extra painting for you, that means you'll get one more option."

"Madam Albright, do you mean we could request a few paintings?" His eyes lit up.

Nodding, Grandma stated, "Each extra painting is worth five million dollars."

The balding man waved at her dismissively. "Money is not a problem."

After that, the man rattled off a series of requests, and Grandma painted four paintings for him. This was her first time creating this many paintings at the same time.

In my eyes, they all looked the same except for their expressions and some minute details. However, Beth was keenly observing the paintings from the side as if she knew a lot about it. Sometimes, she would discuss it with Grandma.

"Madam Albright, this child has lovely eyes. The second child has a cute nose. The other two paintings are unique in their own ways."

Beth's remark confused me because I thought the babies all looked the same.

Grandma not only brought the pretty female companion into the dark room, she even led Beth inside.

Only the balding man and I were outside waiting for the three women.

Soon, the young woman screamed from within the room for an unusually long period—to the point I started to grow concerned.

After a while, the screaming finally subsided.

Later, Grandma showed up with the young woman. She was sweating from head to toe but beaming happily.

"How was it?" the balding man asked.

"It's done!" The pretty young woman sneaked into his arms.

The balding man laughed heartily. "Great! It's Madam Albright, after all! I'll pay you another five million dollars as a token of gratitude!"

He generously paid for Grandma's service before leaving with his pretty companion.

Even after all these years, Grandma never failed to surprise me with her ability to make money. With just four average-looking paintings, she made more than ten million dollars, which was very impressive.

That begged another question. Grandma had been nice to me over the years and bought me everything I asked for, but why did we still live in this shabby house in a mountain village?

I had asked Grandma why we hadn't moved out, but she replied to me very sternly that she could never leave this place.

I never dared ask her ever since.

"By the way, where's Beth?" I finally noticed Beth's absence.

Glancing my way, Grandma said, "She's occupied with something. Go buy some herbs from the foot of the mountain."

I took her orders and went down the mountain.

At the store, the storekeeper suddenly inquired, "Darling, has your mom not gotten pregnant after all these years?"

Taken aback, I questioned, "What does that mean?"

"Don't you know? The herbs you often purchase from me are to induce ovulation. They're for those who want to get pregnant!"

My eyes widened in disbelief, as Grandma was the one who had taken these herbs before! But Grandma couldn't have possibly tried for a child.

"Ma'am, there must be a misunderstanding. That's impossible," I remarked with guilt and said no more.

Once I received my herbs, I ran home like I was being chased, worried that someone might find out it was Grandma who was taking the herbs.

This felt so weird, but I dared not ask Grandma about it.

…

A few days later, a couple showed up again. Just like many before them, it was a rich man and a young, pretty woman.

"Madam Albright, I heard from John that you could make a few paintings? May I request two more? I'd like to have options."

Grandma said without looking up, "It's an extra five million dollars per painting."

"Of course. I'll leave it to your good hands."

That day, Grandma made three paintings. She later brought Beth into the dark room. The female client screamed within the room as usual.

Once the two clients left in satisfaction, Grandma sent me off to run some errands again. "Sweetie, get me a bottle of ketchup."

"Okay," I agreed, but I was not dumb.

Grandma must have sent me away because something shady was going on. So, halfway into my trip, I went back quietly.

"I'm curious what Grandma is up to."

I slowly made my way to the house and hid underneath a window. I heard a soft moan from within—it sounded like a woman's.

"A young body is definitely more productive. I was surprised we could offer them four paintings last time. This time, we're doing three," Grandma spoke in a joyful tone.

"M-Madam Albright…"

I heard Beth gasping and moaning in the room.

"I get it. You've worked hard. Don't worry. I'll treat you right. Drink this, and you'll recover soon."

I picked up a familiar herbal smell—it was the herbal concoction that Grandma had previously been taking. The herbs, like the storekeeper had told me, were to induce ovulation.

…

Three days after that, no client showed up at our house. As for Beth, she did not once get out of bed during that time.

Grandma stopped me from entering Beth's bedroom, but I smelled a heavy, metallic tang of blood from that room.

I had no idea how Beth got injured, but from the looks of it, she seemed to be in a bad state because Grandma kept serving the herbal concoction for days.

As a result, we ran out of the herbs in no time. I had to make another trip to buy the same herbs from the store at the foot of the mountain.

Thankfully, the storekeeper did not ask me any questions. Yet, I refrained from meeting her eyes, worried that she might sense something fishy. I scrambled home after getting my hands on the herbs.

"Grandma, what's the purpose of that herbal concoction?" I blurted out after holding in the burning question for a while.

She glanced at me. "Did someone say something to you?"

She had immediately guessed it.

I had to tell the truth, saying, "Well, the storekeeper told me that…"

"She's lying," Grandma snapped firmly. "I've lived long enough to tell the truth from the lie. Sweetie, do not believe in her words anymore."

Grandma was nice to me. She certainly wouldn't lie to me. Feeling relieved, I nodded. "Got it, Grandma."

…

Beth still hadn't recuperated after three days, but the smell of blood had slowly vanished. I bet she'd be back to herself in a few days.

Without warning, a client suddenly showed up at our house.

"Madam Albright, please help! That wife of mine has gone crazy! I need to get a divorce!" The rich guy grumbled loudly, but Grandma paid him no attention.

"Madam Albright, the family dinner tonight is my final chance at getting a divorce! My wife is infertile. If Julie is pregnant with my child, my parents will stand up for me! I beg for your help!"

The man pulled out a piece of paper on which he had written down a list of demands.

"Madam Albright, I'll pay you 20 million dollars! Please help me out!"

Finally, Grandma showed him some response. "Can't you wait for a day more?"

"No! Tomorrow is going to be too late!" The man seemed to have arrived at a decision. "I'll fork out another ten million dollars! Madam Albright, please!"

It took Grandma a while to agree. Nodding, she produced four baby paintings. I watched helplessly as she walked into Beth's room.

When Grandma helped Beth out, I was shocked by how pallid Beth appeared. I hadn't seen Beth in six days at this point.

"Grandma?" I tried to stop Grandma. "Beth isn't well yet. Let her rest."

Although Beth was a paid apprentice, I thought it was unjust to exploit her labor when she was not in her best condition.

"Sweetie, wait outside." Grandma ignored my pleas.

"But Grandma, Beth looks really unwell."

"That's none of your business. Get out."

"But…" I hesitated.

"Get out!" This was the first time Grandma raised her voice at me.

I was stunned for a bit, but I quickly left the room and waited in the courtyard with the male client.

As expected, I heard the screams of that pretty woman who came with the rich male client. Unlike in the past, Beth's scream followed.

It was just a single scream, but it was far more harrowing than any scream I had heard before, as if it were the sound made by a person in her final moments of life.

I nearly collapsed to the floor, not because I was spooked out by the eerie scream, but because I recognized it as Beth's voice.