Chapter 14

"Damn it!"

"That didn't work either"

Several top physicians stepped forward, but they were unable to cure Elijah. A bonus of +25 was offered. If they tried brute force—more pills and painkillers—they risked harming him further, as Dr. Lewis had discovered. The physicians fell silent, no longer daring to discuss Elijah's treatment. As Dustin had predicted, no one could save him. Even though the damage was only nerve-related, the physicians were helpless.

Elijah's face paled; his breathing grew ragged. Amara and Delia's anxiety was palpable; their faces turned ashen.

"Is there really no one who can save Elijah?" They refused to believe it. Dustin, whom they considered worthless trash, had somehow inflicted such severe injuries.

Seeing Elijah clinging to life, Amara shouted, "Stop!" Further treatment would kill him.

"How could this be?" Delia cried, unable to accept it.

"Dustin, damn you!" Amara raged, her eyes blazing. She looked for Dustin, but he was gone.

"Where is he?!" she demanded of Simone.

Simone, confused, replied, "I don't know. He was just here." She hadn't noticed his departure.

An eerie silence fell over the fifth floor. The physicians, anxious, hesitated to treat Elijah. Amara and Delia wept over the pitiful Elijah, their hatred for Dustin undiminished. Suddenly, footsteps broke the silence.

A figure appeared in the doorway, dressed in black, a black metal mask concealing his face.

"You" One physician stared, shock giving way to excitement. That mask belonged to only one person!

"The Medical Sage! The only miracle-grade physician in the world!" a physician exclaimed.

Excitement rippled through the others. The Medical Sage was Lovellia's most esteemed physician, unparalleled in skill. They had traveled from afar to Rivenesco hoping to meet him.

"Hello, Mr. Foxtin!" The physicians greeted him respectfully.

"The Medical Sage?" Simone stared, stunned. She'd never expected to see such a renowned figure. Where did Dustin go? He's so unlucky, she thought.

"Mr. Foxtin, you're finally here!" Delia cried, running to him, tears streaming down her face. Amara sighed in relief; their brother's salvation had arrived. If the Medical Sage couldn't save him, no one could.

Delia clutched his hand. Though his student, she'd never met him before. "Mr. Foxtin, I was so worried I could have gone mad if you hadn't come sooner!" she sobbed, wiping her tears.

"Why are you acting so friendly with me?" The Medical Sage said coldly, flinging her hand away.

Delia froze, tears welling. "You still haven't forgiven me?" she asked sadly. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I've done, but I'm sorry. Can't you forgive me? I can't bear to lose your favor" She clutched his hand again. Most men would succumb to her pitiful demeanor.

But beneath the mask was Dustin, his face impassive. He found her behavior disgusting, a stark contrast to the spiteful woman he knew. She had treated him with hatred and contempt.

"You disgust me!" Dustin said, flinging her hand away again.

Delia froze, stunned by his continued anger. "What exactly did I do? Why can't you just tell me?!" she shouted angrily.

The physicians exchanged awkward glances. Was there a rift between Delia and the Medical Sage?

Amara stepped forward, smiling warmly. "Mr. Foxtin, my sister is young and doesn't always understand, but she has a pure heart. She respects and admires you. If she offended you, please forgive her," she said courteously—a courtesy she'd never shown Dustin.

"Who do you think you are? You have no right to speak here," Dustin said coldly.

Amara stiffened, humiliated. She'd never been so disgraced. She felt furious but dared not lose her temper; the Medical Sage's status was too high. He was Lovellia's most important physician, highly privileged, and owed favors by powerful individuals. The Wyatt family was insignificant compared to him.

"I overstepped my boundaries. Please forgive me," she said, enduring the indignity.

Dustin sneered. Amara, I bet you'll never guess the face behind this mask is the one you look down on most, he thought.

A loud thud echoed. Delia knelt, gritting her teeth. "Mr. Foxtin, I'll kneel if that's what it takes! I'll do anything for your forgiveness!" she cried. Losing her status as his student would be devastating.

Dustin stared at her; she looked truly pitiful. Anyone else would have forgiven her.

He closed his eyes, remembering the Wyatt family villa, his injuries, his rushed return for Amara's birthday, and his subsequent rejection. He remembered years of hard work met with ingratitude. Delia was only kneeling out of fear.

Dustin sneered. He would not forgive her. Never.