"Hold your tongue! You know exactly what you've done!" Celeste Denvair snapped, her voice sharp. "I've already reached out to Dr. Chou, the renowned healer from the East."
At the mention of the name, the tension in the room shifted. Everyone recognized the legendary Dr. Chou, known for his miraculous skills and a reputation that spanned continents. His ability to bring people back from the brink of death was almost mythical. Many had tried—and failed—to secure his expertise, no matter the cost.
For him to answer Celeste's summons was nothing short of extraordinary.
Celeste smiled faintly as the astonishment spread across the faces of the Denvair family. She had indeed paid a steep price to make this happen.
Whispers broke out among the gathered relatives, their tones tinged with both awe and envy.
"To think Celeste could bring in someone like Dr. Chou," one murmured.
Eldrin Denvair's wife, Trista, rolled her eyes, her words dripping with sarcasm. "Isn't he supposed to be a recluse? What could possibly bring him to Port Avallon?"
"Dr. Chou was born here, actually," Celeste replied, not missing a beat. "He learned his craft in the East and became a master of acupuncture and herbal medicine. It's pure luck that he's visiting Calvarion, making it possible for us to invite him."
Though outwardly composed, Celeste couldn't help but feel the pinch—five million dollars for a consultation wasn't a small sum. But it was a calculated investment.
Lady Catherine, after all, held the reins to multiple family enterprises. While Lyria already controlled Denvair Construction, the future of the remaining businesses was still undecided. Gaining the Lady's favor would be a game changer—and Celeste was determined to seize this opportunity.
The heavy doors opened, and in walked Dr. Chou, a serene figure clad in traditional robes, accompanied by a young apprentice.
Celeste rushed forward, his posture deferential. "Dr. Chou! Thank you for coming. I hope the journey wasn't too taxing."
Dr. Chou, an elderly man with snow-white hair and a beard to match, radiated calm authority. Without acknowledging Celeste's fawning, he inclined his head slightly and gestured toward the patient.
"Dr.Chou will now examine the patient," his apprentice, a young man in his early twenties, announced curtly. "Please remain silent and do not disturb him."
Trista huffed audibly from her corner, her voice low but scornful. "A so-called master healer… looks like just another charlatan to me."
A few of Eldrin's supporters chimed in, their skepticism poorly masked.
"Who knows if he's even capable?"
Truthfully, Trista's disdain stemmed from jealousy. Celeste's calculated move to bring in Dr. Chou was a clear bid for favor with Lady Catherine—and it infuriated her.
Her resentment spilled over toward Kael Renforth. She shot him a glare, bitterness evident. Were it not for his interference, her husband Eldrin wouldn't have been ousted from the Denvair family.
The apprentice's sharp voice cut through the murmurs. "Silence! Any disruption could compromise the treatment."
The room fell quiet, tension mounting.
Dr. Chou opened a finely crafted wooden case, revealing an array of gleaming silver needles.
"Acupuncture?" someone whispered.
"Dr. Chou's mastery of acupuncture is legendary!"
Every pair of eyes remained fixed on the healer, breaths held in anticipation. The moment of truth was at hand.
Then, a low voice broke through the silence.
"Wait."
All heads turned toward the source of the interruption: Kael Renforth.
"This condition cannot be treated with needles," he said calmly.
Shock rippled through the room.
Kael? The man many still dismissed as a black mark on the Denvair name—a mere "kept husband"—was questioning Dr. Chou?
Before anyone else could react, Eldrin exploded with fury.
"What do you know? This is Dr. Chou! You, a cursed bringer of bad luck, dare to interfere? Are you trying to kill Lady Catherine?!"
Eldrin's voice grew louder, and his accusations more venomous. "You've already ruined this family. And now you want to ruin her too? Who gave you the right to question the doctor?"
His supporters quickly joined in, voices rising in condemnation.
"Don't you realize what's at stake here? If anything happens to Lady Catherine, who will take responsibility?"
"How dare you insult a master healer? Apologize at once!"
The apprentice's expression darkened, his earlier composure giving way to irritation.
First Trista, and now this. "Who do you think you are to challenge Dr. Chou's judgment?" he spat.
The room buzzed with tension as Kael Renforth stood his ground, unyielding in the face of the growing hostility.