Eldrin Denvair's heart raced. The piercing gaze of the family matriarch, Lady Catherine, was unmistakable. Surely, her words were about to carry the weight of blame—a verdict for his earlier actions.
But Celeste Denvair, quick-witted as ever, stepped in to redirect the narrative. "Mother," he said smoothly, his tone brimming with reverence, "this is Dr. Chou, the renowned healer I specially invited. It's thanks to his unparalleled skill that you've woken up so quickly!"
Lady Catherine's eyes sparkled with recognition. "Dr. Chou? The world-famous physician from the East?"
"Yes," Celeste confirmed, glancing at Dr. Chou, who offered a humble nod.
"Remarkable!" Lady Catherine's voice carried awe. "You truly are a miracle worker, a healer of legend!"
Her gratitude and admiration spilled forth, with her daughters-in-law joining in with lavish praise. They hovered around Dr. Chou, each word dripping with gratitude.
Dr. Chou's apprentice observed it all with a bitter smirk. Just moments ago, these same women called my master a fraud. Now they're singing his praises? Hypocrisy knows no bounds.
Clearing his throat, the apprentice spoke. "Dr.Chou is really busy. Since the treatment is done, we shall leave now."
Celeste, realizing they were about to leave, panicked and stepped forward. "Dr. Chou, please wait! I've arranged accommodations for you at the Port Avallon Garden Hotel. It would be our honor if you would accept."
Port Avallon Garden Hotel—the finest in the city. A single night's stay there cost a small fortune. The generous gesture left everyone in the room wide-eyed.
Dr. Chou glanced at his apprentice, who gave a subtle nod. "We'll accept your kind offer," the physician said simply.
Lady Catherine smiled approvingly. "Celeste, you've handled this beautifully," she said. "Inviting such a renowned doctor and ensuring every detail was perfect—well done."
Eldrin's jaw clenched at the praise. Every word in Celeste's favor felt like a slight against him. His frustration quickly turned to scheming. His thoughts settled on Kael Renforth, the outsider whom Lyria had married against everyone's wishes.
"The treatment almost didn't happen," Eldrin began, stepping closer to Lady Catherine. "Kael Renforth tried to stop it! I had to intervene and beg the doctor to stay. Without my efforts, who knows what might've happened?"
Trista Denvair, always eager to fan the flames, chimed in. "That man's nothing but trouble! He's been nothing but a curse on this family. Lyria needs to divorce him before he brings more ruin. Just think—he was practically wishing for your death, Mother!"
Lady Catherine's face darkened as her sharp eyes turned to Lyria. "Is this true?"
Lyria hesitated, her face pale. "Grandmother, Kael was only worried about your health. Please, let me get you some water."
"Lyria," Trista snapped, her voice rising, "how can you be so blind? Kael has never cared about this family. He's a danger to all of us! He doesn't just want you out of the family—he wants to destroy us completely!"
Emboldened by Trista's outburst, Eldrin added his own twist. "Let's not forget, Lyria, that while Kael may have provided funds to save the family once, that crisis only existed because of him in the first place. His involvement with us has brought nothing but misfortune!"
Lady Catherine's gaze lingered on Eldrin, her eldest and once-favored child. Seeing his haggard state filled her with pity and longing for a way to restore his place within the family.
If Kael Renforth were out of the picture, she reasoned, the Denvair family's path to prosperity would be clear. Not only could they align themselves with the powerful Silvervein family, but Eldrin could finally reclaim his rightful position.
"Kael's interference nearly cost me my life," Lady Catherine said gravely. "This family can't afford such risks. Lyria, you need to make a decision."
Trista, emboldened, pressed further. "Exactly! Who knows what Kael will do next? He might turn the Denvair family into a shadow of its former self, just like the Malavant family!"
Her words struck a chord, leaving the room in uneasy silence. Even Celine, Lyria's usually supportive sister, seemed reluctant to intervene.
But then, Lyria did something no one expected.
She stood, her voice firm, her eyes blazing with defiance. "Enough," she said, her tone cutting through the tension like a blade. "If it weren't for Kael, this family's plans for revival would be nothing but dreams. Without him, we'd already be lost. Kael Renforth has done more for this family than any of you are willing to admit."
The room fell silent, stunned by Lyria's rare show of resistance.
Lady Catherine's expression shifted, a mixture of surprise and disappointment. She pushed herself upright, ready to rebuke Lyria and reassert her authority.
But before she could speak, her eyes rolled back, and her body convulsed violently.
"Grandmother!" Celeste shouted, rushing forward.
Lady Catherine collapsed onto the bed, her body wracked with seizures as chaos erupted around her.