Chapter 15
"Stand up, Delia," Dustin said coldly.
"Mr. Foxtin, you've finally forgiven me?" Delia asked, delighted.
"You're no longer my student. Don't call me your teacher again!" Dustin's words wiped the smile from her face. "But why?!" she cried.
Why was he still unwilling to forgive her? What had she done wrong?
"You're not worthy of it!" Dustin snapped impatiently.
Delia staggered back; Amara steadied her. Delia couldn't accept this. Amara couldn't understand it either. She'd asked Delia countless times, but they couldn't figure out what had angered Foxtin. It was as if the Medical Sage had suddenly turned against them without reason.
"Since many physicians are present, I'll say this once more," Dustin said coldly. "Delia Wyatt, the fourth daughter of the Wyatt family, is no longer my student, and hasn't been for a long time. I'm cutting all ties with her, and I will accept no more students!" he declared resolutely. The physicians erupted in a flurry of whispered chatter.
Delia hadn't been Foxtin's student for a long time? What was going on? Delia's face paled. Dustin's public declaration left her no recourse. She'd lost the honor and privilege of being the Medical Sage's student. Without him, she was nothing. Even her positions as an intermediate-grade physician and vice president of Rivenesco's Physicians' Association were due to her association with him.
"Mr. Foxtin, what about the Wyatt family?" one physician asked.
"Delia used my name without my knowledge," Dustin said.
"What?!" The physicians were furious. Since Delia was no longer Dustin's student, they no longer felt obligated to favor her.
They had traveled far because the Wyatt family had lied to them. Some had even questioned their existence when their treatments failed. How could they not be angry? Delia had lied to them to secure help curing Elijah, believing they'd gain guidance from the Medical Sage! What a joke!
"Amara Wyatt, Delia Wyatt, how dare you lie to us?" a physician stepped forward, snapping at them. "Your family isn't that powerful, yet you dared do this?! You're terrible people!" With the physicians turning against them, Amara and Delia could only endure the humiliation silently.
This was the worst possible outcome. Not only had they failed to cure Elijah, but they had also offended numerous physicians. The Medical Sage's intervention had only worsened the situation. Delia hadn't mended her relationship with him, and he'd severed all ties with the Wyatt family. Amara and Delia felt distraught; their faces fell.
"You're on your own now, Wyatt sisters," someone said darkly. Amara and Delia's faces turned ashen. The physician, from a powerful organization, terrified them. Facing accusations from the crowd, the sisters were defenseless.
"Mr. Foxtin" Suddenly, Amara raised her head and looked at Dustin. "A terrible person hurt my brother. He's in great pain because that person injured him. Many physicians have tried curing him, but failed. You're the only miracle-grade physician. Surely, you can save him? Or are you no better than these top-grade physicians?" she asked flippantly.
The physicians fell silent, looking at Dustin. They wanted to know if Elijah could be saved. If the Medical Sage treated him, he would be saved.
Dustin glared at Amara, sensing her reverse psychology. He smirked.
"Are you implying I can't save him?" Dustin retorted.
Amara shook her head. "You're the only miracle-grade physician in the world, very famous. You're known as the sage of the medical world, a god-like presence, but few have seen you in action." Her voice was mocking. "Many can't live up to their reputations, after all."
"You're using reverse psychology to save your brother," Dustin chuckled.
"That's right." Amara didn't deny it. "Are you truly unparalleled in medicine? Prove it."
She laughed. This was an open gambit. If Dustin refused in front of so many physicians, she'd be proven right, damaging the Medical Sage's reputation. If he agreed and cured Elijah, she'd achieve her goal.
"Well, aren't you cunning, Miss Amara?" Dustin sneered.
"Thank you for the compliment." Amara ignored the insult and smiled.
Dustin smiled teasingly. "I'll cure him, then."
Amara and Delia perked up, pushing the unconscious Elijah forward. The physicians surrounded them, watching raptly. It was a great honor to witness the Medical Sage in action.
Dustin wasted no time, feeding Elijah some pills. They melted instantly, taking effect immediately. Elijah's breathing steadied, the pain fading. He slowly opened his eyes. This time, he didn't scream upon waking.
"How do you feel, Elijah?" Amara asked.
"I'm no longer in pain" Elijah said, looking much better.
"He cured him with just a few pills!" The physicians were astonished. They'd failed, yet the Medical Sage had treated Elijah so easily. He truly deserved the title! He possessed amazing skills!
Amara, delighted, walked forward to thank Dustin. "I was desperate to save my brother, so I offended you. Please, forgive me," she said apologetically.
"Don't celebrate yet, Amara," Dustin said coldly. He tossed another pill into Elijah's mouth. Elijah's face turned red.
"Ahhh!!!" Elijah screamed again, at the top of his lungs.
"What?" Amara and Delia's faces paled in shock. They were speechless.
"If I can cure him, I can naturally reverse it," Dustin said with a sneer. "Your brother could have recovered after seven days of pain, but now, he'll suffer for fourteen. It'll be worse than before," he said chillingly. "I can't even guarantee his survival."
Amara and Delia's faces turned ashen. Worse pain? What could they do?
"Amara Wyatt, this is your punishment for your cleverness," Dustin said indifferently. He'd proven his unparalleled skill, but wouldn't let Elijah off easily.
Amara was rooted to the spot, dejected. Her scheme hadn't saved Elijah; it had worsened his pain. Regret and guilt gnawed at her heart. Watching Elijah scream, she felt as though her heart was bleeding. Amara fell to her knees before Dustin.
"Please, Mr. Foxtin Please, save my brother! He's the only son of the Wyatt family!" She abandoned her pride and dignity, begging for his help.