Chapter 53

As the family discussed amongst themselves, the sound of Walter and Brian's laughter drifted in from outside. Everyone instantly fell silent.

"Dr. Tanner, Dr. Calcraft, this way, please," Walter politely invited the two men inside, introducing them to his family. "This is Dr. Tanner—most of you know him. Next to him is Dr. Calcraft, Dr. Tanner's…" He paused, glancing at Brian, who nodded. "Grandmaster. He's a brilliant doctor with incredible skills. He'll definitely cure the madam!"

The Watson family greeted them warmly; only Kai and Queenie remained motionless. Queenie, having brushed her teeth three times and checked her breath, remained still. Brian, quickly placing a hand over his heart, replied, "You're too kind." He was acutely aware of their immense wealth; a careless word could be costly. Nash, however, remained nonchalant, hands in his pockets.

"Dr. Calcraft, please follow me upstairs," Walter said, leading Nash and Brian to the elevator, where the nanny pressed the button. The madam's room was on the fourth floor, requiring sterilized protective clothing before entry. Beyond the initial room lay an ultraviolet air shower; access to the ward was only possible after passing through it.

The room, over one hundred square meters, was stark white. A frail, elderly woman with sunken eyes lay on a two-meter-wide bed, appearing almost corpse-like. Vital signs monitors displayed normal readings. Without hesitation, Nash felt the old lady's pulse—steady and strong, unlike a typical patient's.

Turning to the nurses, he asked, "Do you have a scalpel?"

Their stunned silence was broken by Walter's prompt, "Why are you standing around? Get Dr. Calcraft a scalpel immediately."

A nurse quickly retrieved a scalpel. Nash used it to slash the old lady's wrist.

"Stop! What are you doing?"

The family's expressions changed drastically; several rushed to intervene. Walter, clenching his fists, raised a hand to stop them. "Everyone, stand down." His wife had been ill for three years; Nash was their only hope. Brian, too, was visibly nervous, unsure of his grandmaster's actions.

A nurse brought a tray. Nash used the scalpel to stir the wound; blood splattered, flesh falling into the tray. Frowns deepened; several women turned away. Walter's face paled, his mouth trembling.

A nurse pointed, exclaiming, "Oh my god, there are bugs in the flesh…"

Walter rushed to see rice-grain-sized bugs wriggling in the wound. "Dr. Tanner, do you know what these are?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Brian squinted. "They look parasitic… but… I'm not sure. I must ask my grandmaster."

Hope flickered in Walter's eyes. "As expected of your grandmaster. He found the cause so quickly. I hope my wife will recover."