Chapter 86

"Sir! You're here?!"

Ross was stunned to see Dr. Rowan Cross. He rushed to greet the older man respectfully, appearing very humble.

"Sir?"

"Could it be… this person is the great Dr. Cross?!"

The Nicholson family members were ecstatic upon learning the older man's identity. They surrounded him, vying for his favor.

"Oh my! What an honor to meet the great Dr. Cross in person!"

"I've heard so much about you, Dr. Cross. I'm so lucky to meet you!"

Everyone chimed in, praising the doctor. This doctor was renowned across the globe. He was not only skilled at healing, but also possessed a vast network and immense influence; a single word from him could change a life.

"Dr. Cross, aren't you resting? Why are you here?" Ross asked curiously.

"A friend called, saying you were harassing a patient. Did that happen?" Rowan replied, displeasure evident in his tone. Earlier that day, he'd received a call from his greatest benefactor, prompting him to rush to the hospital.

"A friend?"

Everyone exchanged glances before looking at Matt. In their eyes, only someone of high standing could be considered a friend of Dr. Cross. In that room, Matt was the only one who fit that description.

"Dr. Cross, I've heard so much about you!" Matt stepped forward, introducing himself. "I'm Matt Laney, from Millsburg. I believe you've met my father."

"Oh" Rowan replied softly, scanning the room as if searching for something, not even glancing at Matt.

Shot down by the doctor's cold response, Matt fell silent, awkwardness hanging in the air.

"Sir! Have you lost something recently?" Ross asked.

"Lost something?" Rowan raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Earlier, someone here stole your antidote! Luckily, I noticed in time and stopped him before you suffered any loss!" the doctor exclaimed excitedly. Hexanavir was his mentor's most prized possession. Returning it would surely earn him a reward.

"Stole my antidote? Who?" Rowan was puzzled.

"It's him!" the doctor exclaimed, pointing to someone behind Rowan. "He's the one who stole your Hexanavir! He even claimed you gave it to him as a gift. Thankfully, I saw through his lies. Otherwise, he would have escaped with the antidote!"

"Dr. Cross, Dustin's actions have nothing to do with us. If you want him, take him! It's none of our business."

"That's right! Get rid of him!"

The Nicholson family, fearful of repercussions, pointed fingers at the culprit. However, no one expected the dark cloud that fell across Rowan's face.

"Dustin, what are you waiting for? Return the antidote and apologize! If you're lucky, Dr. Cross might forgive you!" Dahlia urged, sending him silent signals. Though she disliked his actions, she felt sympathy for him in this predicament.

"Bastard! You're done for! You dare steal my mentor's treasure? No one can save you today!" Ross sneered smugly, believing himself victorious. His mentor, while kind and forgiving, was serious about medicine. There was no way he'd let Dustin off easily.

"Dr. Cross, you've done a great job training your apprentice. Since this antidote is so precious, I'll return it." Dustin produced the bottle of Hexanavir and tossed it to Rowan.

Rowan nearly collapsed in shock.

Ross, however, still hadn't grasped the situation and continued to mock Dustin.

"Bastard! Now you're scared? Why didn't you do this earlier? Even if you return it now, it's too late! I want you to kneel and apologize. Maybe then I'll let you go!" the doctor exploded, his head held high.

"Shut up!" Rowan's patience snapped. He slapped Ross across the face with all his might.

Ross fell to the ground with a loud smack, feeling as if his head had dislocated. Blood flowed from his nose.

"S-sir. Why did you hit me? He's the one you should hit!" Ross asked, stunned, clutching his face, bewildered by the unexpected blow. His master had struck the wrong person.

"You dare disrespect Mr. Rhys? You're the one who should be slapped!" Rowan roared in a fit of rage. He lifted Ross to his feet and slapped him repeatedly.

Ross's face turned a darker purple with each blow; even his teeth began to fall out. Everyone was confused.

"What is going on? Shouldn't Dr. Cross be attacking Dustin? Why is he hitting his apprentice?" they wondered.

"You imbecile! Brainless scum! Who gave you the guts to disrespect Mr. Rhys? I'll beat you until you come to your senses!" Rowan roared, continuing his merciless assault.

If Dustin hadn't intervened, Ross wouldn't have survived. For years, Rowan had searched for Dustin to repay his kindness. Their reunion should have been momentous, but his apprentice's disrespect and mockery of his greatest benefactor had clearly warranted a severe response.

After venting his anger, Rowan presented the Hexanavir to Dustin. "Mr. Rhys, I'm terribly sorry. It's my fault for not training him properly. Please forgive me!"

He fell to his knees before Dustin.

Witnessing Rowan kneel and apologize, everyone fell silent, their eyes wide with shock.

"The great Dr. Cross is kneeling and apologizing to a nobody? What in the world is happening?!" everyone wondered.