Tears welled up in Edward's eyes as he grabbed Jon by the collar. "I've died six times already. This time, I'm playing it safe. I have to survive till the end."
Jon blinked, utterly confused. "Boss Astor, can you speak human language, please?"
Edward pulled him into a tight chokehold, gritting his teeth. "Brother, if you handle this task well, I've got a brand-new sports car in my garage—a Porsche. It's yours."
Jon's eyes widened. "A Porsche?! For real?!"
"Yours."
Tears streamed down Jon's face as he clasped his hands together in gratitude. "The god may be vast, but not as vast as Boss Astor's kindness. My life, my soul—they all belong to Boss Astor from now on!"
"Enough with the dramatics. Go prepare some gifts for my god-grandfather and bring the car around. I'm going to visit him."
"Yes, Boss!"
At the White family Estate.
Edward stepped into the elderly Robert White's room, placed the gifts down respectfully, and exchanged a few pleasantries.
Just as he was plotting his escape, the butler walked in. "Master, the eldest daughter of the Lewis family has arrived. Young Master Jack is with her, and they've brought someone—a so-called divine doctor."
Robert White raised a brow. "Isn't Elizabeth already renowned for her medical skills? Why would Jack bring another doctor? Oh well, let them in."
"Oh, come on!"
Edward's internal alarms blared.
System, are you messing with me?! There's no escape, is there?!
This was obviously part of the later plot line: Elizabeth Lewis's treatment would fail, Robert White would be on the brink of death, and then—cue the grand entrance of Davis.
Davis would perform a miraculous save, Elizabeth would admire his godlike medical skills, her heart would waver, and Robert White would be endlessly grateful.
From there, it was a straight path to Davis securing not only Elizabeth but also Catherine White, the White family's eldest daughter, in a conveniently romantic double conquest.
None of this involves me! Why am I even here?! Can't I just leave quietly?!
Edward shot to his feet, flashing a polite smile. "God-grandfather, you should rest well. I've got urgent matters at the company—I'll take my leave now."
Robert White gently waved his hand. "No… stay."
Damn it.
Robert White really liked him. Too much, in fact.
But Edward had zero emotional attachment in return.
According to the plot, he'd eventually exploit Robert White's trust, dragging the White family into disaster. Naturally, this would lead to Davis heroically swooping in to save the day—and, of course, beating Edward into a crippled mess as part of the grand finale.
Without him betraying Robert White, Davis wouldn't have a reason to make his dramatic entrance.
Without Davis's entrance, Elizabeth and Catherine wouldn't fall head over heels for him.
It's all a domino effect for the protagonist's harem, isn't it?!
As a textbook villain, Edward's sole existence was apparently to serve as a plot device for the hero's rise to glory.
Why me?! Why must I suffer for Davis's romantic escapades?!
Internally, Edward roared against the heavens:
I WILL DEFY MY FATE!
MY DESTINY IS MINE TO CONTROL!
I'll see if there's a back door to slip through ...
Robert clutched Edward's hand tightly, refusing to let go. Edward forced a stiff smile while trying to pry the old man's fingers away.
"God-grandfather, you'll be fine! I really need to leave now. Let go… let go…"
Out of everyone's view, Edward resorted to smacking the elderly man's hand repeatedly. And thought "Let go, let go, come on… still not letting go?!"
At that moment, Elizabeth stepped into the room, her face cold and expression stern.
"Edward," she said icily, "Mr Robert adores you so much, and yet you've barely been here five minutes before you start shouting about leaving. Where's your conscience?"
Edward froze when he spotted Elizabeth—and then he noticed Jack White walking in with Davis.
The moment Davis laid eyes on Edward, his gaze narrowed, radiating deep-seated hatred.
Ah, yes, Edward mused bitterly. A villain must evoke hatred at first sight to fulfill his role properly.
Then, he glanced at Elizabeth.
[ Oh…What a perfect loli style ! ]
Though already an adult, her petite and well-proportioned figure gave her an eternally youthful appearance. Her delicate features were impossibly refined, with bright, intelligent eyes and a button nose. But the real kicker? That petite frame supported an incredibly well-developed chest that strained against the buttons of her JK uniform.
Her outfit—a schoolgirl-style uniform paired with crisp white thigh-high cotton socks—made her slender legs look even more enticing.
Elizabeth greeted Robert politely and began examining him.
["Tsk tsk… this little girl stopped growing vertically and focused all her development elsewhere. Definitely going to be a heart breaker in the future!"]
["Man, what a sight… A loli with explosive proportions who likes wearing uniforms? A feast for the eyes!"]
Elizabeth suddenly turned her head, her glare sharp as knives.
"What did you just say?"
"Huh? I didn't say anything!"
"You did! You pervert!"
Jack White quickly interjected, "Elizabeth, calm down. Boss Astor didn't say a word."
Elizabeth hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. Did I imagine it?
She shot Edward one last glare before turning back to Robert and continuing her examination.
[ "Wow… Her proportions are just flawless!" ]
[ "An explosive little loli who wears uniforms… Tsk tsk, Davis is one lucky bastard!"]
Elizabeth's head snapped around again, her eyes practically on fire.
Edward froze mid-thought, his face blank.
Elizabeth's gaze swept over the others in the room. Strangely, no one else seemed to have heard anything. Their expressions remained neutral, as if nothing unusual had happened.
Moreover… the voice didn't sound like it had been spoken aloud. Could it be… his inner thoughts?
While Edward was busy mentally ogling Elizabeth, a chill ran down the back of his neck. Slowly turning his head, he found Davis glaring at him, his eyes brimming with icy malice.
Elizabeth couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, but it wasn't exactly something she could explain to others. Who would believe her anyway?
After finishing her examination, Elizabeth smiled at Robert. "Mr Robert, it's just a few blocked blood vessels. I'll clear them with acupuncture. Please, relax!"
But Davis spoke up, his voice calm yet firm: "Lady , I don't think it's that simple."
Elizabeth stood up and looked at Davis. "Who are you?"
Jack White immediately stepped forward. "Oh, I forgot to introduce him. This is my good friend, Davis Howard! His medical skills are extraordinary. I specifically brought him here to treat Grandpa."
Elizabeth's face remained stern. "I know all the renowned doctors from the Northern Region, but I've never heard of a so-called 'miracle doctor' named Davis. Grandpa's health is of utmost importance, Jack. You shouldn't trust just anyone so easily."
"Hahaha!" Davis laughed. "Lady, as the saying goes, true masters rarely reveal themselves, and those who do are rarely true masters. Don't underestimate people."
Just as Elizabeth was about to retort, she suddenly heard Edward's internal monologue:
[Yes, this is exactly the right rhythm. Keep it going!]
[You'll botch Robert's treatment, leaving him at death's door, and then Davis the hero will swoop in to save the day!]
[This initial bickering is just romantic tension in disguise. Later, you'll fall for him, willingly become part of his harem, and be best friends with Victoria!]
Elizabeth turned sharply to glare at Edward, her face pale with fury.
[ 'What nonsense is this?!
My medical skills will fail? I'll leave Robert half-dead?
And then I'll join this loudmouth's harem? Along with Victoria?
Who does Victoria even think she is? Always acting so superior, with that insufferable face. Me, in the same harem as her? Absurd!' ]
"Shut your mouth!"
Edward froze, and everyone else in the room fell silent.
He pointed at Davis. "He's over there."
"I'm talking about you!"
Edward was on the verge of tears. "I didn't even say anything! Ask anyone here!"
Davis chuckled. "Lady, Grandpa's illness… I fear that in the entire Northern Region—no, in all of country—only I, Davis, can cure him."
Elizabeth was about to explode.
One person kept muttering incessantly in his mind, while the other was talking with insufferable arrogance.
One was more annoying than the other!
"When I'm performing acupuncture, both of you—be quiet!"
She shot both men a sharp glare before turning her attention back to Robert White and beginning her acupuncture treatment.
In the background, Edward shook his head, his internal monologue resuming:
[What a pity! The 'Nine Needles of King Wen' is an exceptional acupuncture technique, but this little girl is being far too cautious. She avoided two critical acupoints, and this oversight will send Robert waving to the death.]
[Just wait for Davis to step in at the last moment and save the day. Elizabeth will undoubtedly worship him after that.]
[Ah, such a shame for Elizabeth—as a loli, no,t as a talented young doctor. Rising to fame so early, only to end up as part of Davis's harem.]
Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat.
[ This scoundrel… actually understands medicine? ]
She had indeed used a more conservative acupuncture technique just now, and she had avoided two risky acupoints.
[ How did he see through that?
When did he become so knowledgeable about medicine? ]
Suddenly, Robert White began coughing violently. His body shook uncontrollably, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his eyes rolled back.
Jack White screamed, "Grandpa! Grandpa! Elizabeth, what's happening? This is a disaster!"
Elizabeth's face went pale, but she had already pinpointed the problem.
Davis stepped forward confidently, pulling out his needle kit. "Step aside, lady. I'll bring Grandpa back from the brink of death!"
"Grandpa is still alive."
Elizabeth said firmly, her voice unwavering. She grabbed a silver needle and, without hesitation, plunged it into a critical acupoint.
Sure enough, as the needle pierced the acupoint, Robert White's condition immediately improved, though he remained unconscious.
Davis was stunned!
The needlework Elizabeth had just performed was entirely different from her earlier approach. She had suddenly become bold, and her precision in targeting the acupoints was impeccable!
As she prepared for the next needle, Davis subtly moved his hand within his sleeve, fingers poised to interfere…
Edward, who had been keeping a close eye on Davis, noticed his suspicious movements—the slight backward shift, the focus in his eyes, and the gathering energy in his fingers.
His heart skipped a beat.
[Oh no! This guy's about to sabotage her treatment!]
Without hesitation, Edward rushed over and grabbed Davis's arm. "Brother Davis!"
Davis flinched in shock. "Huh? Oh… wh-what's the matter?"
"Nothing, really. I just wanted to say… you look so cool!"
"…Oh. Uh, thanks?"
"You're welcome."
Elizabeth had already caught wind of Edward's inner monologue and was initially startled. However, she couldn't afford to lose focus during such a critical moment. She glanced slightly to the side and caught a glimpse of Davis's suspicious hand gesture.
At that exact moment, Edward blocked her line of sight—and coincidentally blocked Davis's interference as well.
Elizabeth completed her treatment. Slowly, Robert White's complexion regained its healthy flush, and within less than a minute, his eyes fluttered open.
"Elizabeth…"
"Grandpa Robert."
"It's so reassuring to have you here. Don't leave again. Stay in Snow City."
"Grandpa, just focus on resting and recovering!"
Robert White, still weak but improving, asked, "Where's Edward? My great eldest grandson?"
Edward immediately stepped forward. "Grandpa, I'm here."
"Edward… why does my hand hurt so much?"
Edward glanced at the elderly man's hand, now red and swollen from the earlier slaps.
"Oh, it's nothing, Grandpa. Just improved blood circulation!"
Davis was fuming.
His moment to shine had been utterly destroyed halfway through!
Damn you, Edward!
Everywhere he turned, this guy was there, ruining his plans.
When Edward turned around, he noticed both Davis and Jack White glaring at him.
Robert dotes on this kid way too much! thought Jack White bitterly. I'm the actual grandson here!
Meanwhile, Edward mused internally:
[Good heavens, I need to get out of here. Aside from Robert, who's half-dead, everyone here seems like they'd strangle me if given the chance.]
[Davis wants me dead because I blocked his romantic advances. Jack White wants to kick me out because his grandpa likes me too much. And Elizabeth… well, she's hated me since we were kids, and today she seems especially irritated, like she'd snap my neck if she could.]
[Time to make my escape.]
Elizabeth caught this fleeting thought and couldn't help but smile faintly.
But then, recalling how Edward had stepped in to help her moments ago, her heart softened slightly.
Maybe this guy isn't completely heartless after all.
At that moment, Jon approached Edward, leaning close to his ear and whispering urgently, "Boss Astor, something terrible has happened. You need to get to the pharmaceutical factory immediately!"
Edward's eyes widened in shock.
[The pharmaceutical factory?! Something's gone wrong?!]