Chapter 175: The Treasure Left Behind by Joyce

“Dean Sebastian,” Olive asked, “are you saying that Mrs. Robert and Grandma Augustine are good friends?”

“Yes,” he replied. “Mrs. Robert and Elvis’s grandmother are good friends. Marvin and President Augustine are brothers. We’re all family. Will you participate in the surgery?” Dean Sebastian was subtly trying to bring Olive and Marvin together.

Olive pursed her lips. “Dean Sebastian, I’m a doctor. Of course, I’ll participate. Besides, Mrs. Robert is a nice woman. I’ll do everything I can to save her.”

“That’s great!” Dean Sebastian declared. “The operation can’t be delayed. We need to work out the operation plan immediately. I have complete confidence in you both!”

Marvin turned to Olive, muttered calmly, “I’ll go ahead. Call me if you need anything,” and quickly left.

“Olive,” Dean Sebastian suddenly questioned, “what’s your relationship with Marvin?”

Olive blinked in confusion. “I don’t understand, sir.”

“Olive,” the dean explained, “Marvin and I have known each other for a long time. He’s a cold and arrogant genius. Many girls adore him, but he’s never given any of them a second glance. He’s still innocent; he’s never even held a girl’s hand.”

Olive stared speechlessly, surprised. Was the dean really gossiping? she wondered.

“I think Marvin likes you very much,” the dean continued. “His eyes showed his feelings. Don’t worry about the reporters; my tutor always said to live your life and have fun. Olive, if you like Marvin, you could divorce President Augustine.”

Olive was shocked. She didn’t want to believe Dean Sebastian was this way; his tutor must have had a bad influence.

“Dean,” she inquired, “was your tutor a woman?”

A smile appeared on Dean Sebastian’s face. “Yes, my tutor was a woman, and she founded this institute!”

Olive gasped. Aunt Rebecca had told her that the founder of the Ivory Council was her mother. This meant Dean Sebastian’s tutor was her mother.

“Dean Sebastian,” she said, “it sounds like your teacher was a very special woman.”

“Of course,” he replied. “My tutor was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Her medical skills were amazing. She chose me from many candidates and taught me acupuncture. She also gave me the Ivory Council.” He paused, looking at Olive intently. “Why are you asking so many questions about my tutor? Are you interested in learning more about her?”

Olive nodded vigorously. “Yes, dean, please tell me more.”

“Okay,” he said. “First, you must become my student. Once you are my apprentice, I will tell you the story of my tutor.”

Olive understood why her mother chose Dean Sebastian. He was a true healer, with the simple, easygoing temperament needed for a doctor.

“Dean,” she asked, “did your master leave anything behind in the Ivory Council?”

Olive had been waiting for Dean Sebastian’s return because Aunt Rebecca had told her her mother left something for her.

Dean Sebastian’s expression changed. “Olive, how did you know about this?”

“Someone told me, dean. Can you give me what your master left?”

He pondered for a moment. “My master said that someday, someone would come for a box. I don’t know how you found out, but come with me.”

Olive was surprised by how easy it seemed. She hadn’t expected to get her mother’s box so readily.

In Dean Sebastian’s office, he opened a safe and took out a box. “Olive, this is the box my master left. It’s locked. If you can open it, you can take it. If not, I’ll keep it.”

Olive knew it wouldn’t be easy. Aunt Rebecca hadn’t mentioned a lock. She examined the lock—it was intricate, embedded directly in the box with complex mechanisms.

After studying it, she took out a silver needle and pushed it into the keyhole.

[Chapter continues…]

The rewritten passage improves grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure for better readability. Unnecessary repetitions and inconsistencies are removed. Dialogue is cleaned up and made more natural. The pacing is also improved. The awkward "O(5)" at the end has been removed as it is unclear what it represents.