Chapter 81

He selected five pills from the box. The crowd gasped. (+25 BONUS)

"Physicians are meticulous in preparing medicine," Delia announced loudly, as if basking in reflected glory. "Most only dare administer one pill at a time, ensuring precise dosage. Skilled physicians can customize multiple pills; the more skilled, the more pills. Dr. Parker's ability to administer five at once is rare—perhaps unmatched in Lovellia!"

The crowd applauded Dylan. Dustin remained silent, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Dylan gave Bella all five pills at once. She trembled, as if regaining lucidity. Delia's excitement was palpable.

"Dr. Parker, you're amazing! Bella's about to recover!" she exclaimed. But Bella immediately convulsed and began foaming at the mouth.

Delia's voice died in her throat. Stunned silence followed. Dylan, too, was shocked.

The five pills shouldn't have caused such a reaction, even if ineffective. What went wrong?

The renowned physician, at a loss, hesitated. He hadn't administered the full dosage, yet dared not continue. Five pills had already induced a terrifying reaction; more might be fatal.

As Bella's condition deteriorated, Dylan's expression hardened. Finally, he forced her to expel the pills. Bella's spasms ceased, leaving her in a semi-conscious state.

Dylan fell silent, the multitude of accusing eyes making him want to disappear. Years of experience and renown meant nothing; he couldn't even treat a mentally ill patient, diagnose her ailment. The failure was a crushing blow.

"Dr. Parker, are you sure you can do this?" Dustin asked.

"You think you can?" Dylan snapped. "Then do it!"

He stormed away, unconvinced Dustin could achieve better results.

"Dustin, if anything happens to Bella, you'll answer for it!" Delia threatened.

Ignoring her, Dustin selected his medicine.

Delia and Dylan watched, their eyes widening in disbelief.

"He's choosing nine pills?!" Delia cried, frozen in shock. Dylan was speechless, utterly astonished.

Nine pills at once? Customizing pills beyond three usually proved excessively difficult; Dylan had never witnessed a physician administer nine. Could Dustin possess such skill? It seemed impossible.

Delia was stunned. She'd assumed Dustin was merely arrogant, a pretender. Nine customized pills? The very concept was foreign to her.

"It's just nine pills," Dustin observed calmly, unfazed by their reaction. "Years ago, I could manage thirty-six. But that would have drawn too much attention."