Chapter 123

"Gilmore, why did you bring us here to see my father?" Helene asked, suspicious of Gilmore's intentions. She remembered her father, hospitalized and unconscious. Sorrow and guilt overwhelmed her.

A month earlier, she'd quarreled with her father over his decision regarding her marriage. It was their first serious argument. Afterward, she noticed his gloomy, sickly appearance. At the time, she attributed it to his anger and didn't think much of it. The next day, he was found unconscious in his bedroom and rushed to the hospital. The doctor informed her he'd suffered a brain hemorrhage, severely damaged by his agitation. He might never wake up, possibly remaining in a vegetative state. Tears welled in Helene's eyes.

"Don't be sad," Gilmore said, seeing her tears. "It's not your fault. Your father will be fine. Let's go upstairs and see him." He couldn't bear to see a beautiful woman so upset.

"Thank you, Gilmore," Helene said, calming down. "But I'm afraid we can't visit him. Clinton has four bodyguards at the ward door. We won't get in."

"Once Clinton knows we're here, he'll send someone after us," Murdoch added, worried.

Gilmore looked at them, speechless. "Why? Didn't I show enough tenacity at the villa? Do you think I can't handle four bodyguards?"

Helene and Murdoch were silent, suddenly remembering Gilmore's single-handed defeat of Martin and a dozen others.

"Hehe, Gilmore," Helene said, smiling awkwardly, "we almost forgot your martial arts skills. With you, why worry about four bodyguards? Let's go."

Gilmore sneered. "That's more like it."

They left the car, took the elevator to the hospital, Graham being assigned to a special ICU ward. On the 22nd floor, they found four bodyguards in suits and sunglasses guarding an ICU room. The bodyguards, alerted by footsteps, saw Helene and immediately rose, advancing toward her. Helene and Murdoch stopped, but Gilmore continued forward.

The bodyguards surged toward Helene, but Gilmore moved like lightning. Several swift strikes sent the bodyguards flying, crashing to the floor. He dragged them into the restroom, threw them onto the toilet seats, and shut the door, making it appear as if each stall was occupied.

He found Helene and Murdoch still stunned. Snapping his fingers, he asked, "Are you alright?" They were still reeling from the speed of his actions—they hadn't even seen him fight. Gilmore's speed was far beyond their expectations.

"Your martial arts are incredible, Gilmore!" Helene exclaimed.

"We don't have much time," Gilmore said. "Save your compliments until after I save your father."

Helene was surprised. "You're going to save my father?" Even she found this difficult to believe. The hospital's chief physician had failed.

Gilmore looked serious. "Do you think I came here for a social call? I'm here to save your father and get him out of here."

Helene and Murdoch felt as if they were dreaming as they followed him into the ICU. Her father, a man in his fifties, lay on the bed, unconscious, hooked up to medical equipment. Helene's heart ached.

Gilmore set up a medical workbench and a box of acupuncture needles. He placed the box on the bedside table.

"What are you doing, Gilmore?" Helene asked, noticing the needles.

"I'm going to use acupuncture to clear the hemorrhage and restore his consciousness," Gilmore said solemnly.

"But can you really do that?" Helene asked, shocked. "Is it safe?" Even the chief physician couldn't help him.

Gilmore looked at her firmly. "Don't worry. I'm a medical student at Oakhaven University, specializing in acupuncture. I will rouse your father, and he will be safe."

Helene, despite her doubts, found reassurance in Gilmore's resolve and nodded. "Please treat my father."

With lightning speed and precision, Gilmore inserted dozens of needles into Graham's head. His skill was extraordinary. Helene was awestruck.