THE RIVAL Botanist

Chapter 34

Luna and Daisy's eyes were glued to the journal, their minds racing with the secrets and mysteries that Emilia had uncovered. As they read on, they discovered that Malcolm, the rival botanist, was willing to do whatever it took to get his hands on the rare flower.

"'Malcolm is ruthless,' Emilia wrote. 'He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. I fear for my safety, and for the safety of the garden.'"

Luna and Daisy exchanged a nervous glance. They had never heard of Malcolm before, but they could sense the danger and urgency in Emilia's words.

As they continued reading, they discovered that Emilia had been hiding the flower in a secret location within the garden. But Malcolm had discovered her plan, and was closing in on the flower.

"'I must move the flower tonight,' Emilia wrote. 'Malcolm will stop at nothing to get it. I fear that I am running out of time.'"

Luna and Daisy's hearts were racing as they read the final entry in the journal. They knew that they had to find the flower before Malcolm did, but they had no idea where to start looking.

As they closed the journal, they heard a faint rustling in the bushes outside. They exchanged a nervous glance, wondering if they were being watched.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was an old man, dressed in a long coat and carrying a walking stick.

"Who are you?" Luna asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

The old man smiled, his eyes twinkling with kindness. "My name is Henry," he said. "I've been watching you two from afar. I think I can help you find the flower."

Luna and Daisy exchanged a skeptical glance. They didn't know if they could trust Henry, but they were willing to listen.

"What do you know about the flower?" Luna asked, her eyes locked on Henry's.

Henry smiled again, his eyes glinting with knowledge. "I know that it's hidden deep within the garden," he said. "And I know that Malcolm is still searching for it."

Luna and Daisy's hearts sank. They knew that they had to find the flower before Malcolm did, but they were running out of time.