The Amazing Son-in-Law: Chapters 441-445

Chapter 441

When Anthony heard Ichiro's outright rejection, he replied coldly, "I note you market three globally recognized medications: tummy powder, throat powder, and eczema cream. One originates from Zhang Zhongjing's Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases, another from The Han Empire's Medicinal Report, and the last from the Compendium of Materia Medica."

Ichiro's face contorted, but he continued to deny it. "Dr. Simmons, are you joking? Those ancient Chinese pharmacopoeias, a thousand or two years old, are largely useless, lacking clinical application and scientific basis. Why would a major pharmaceutical firm like Kobayashi Pharma use such outdated texts? It's preposterous!"

The other Chinese doctors in the hall scowled, inwardly cursing Ichiro's public insult to their ancestral medicine.

Anthony responded calmly, "I happen to be free for the next few days. After the Expo, I will publish three research papers detailing the prescriptions and composition of your three medications, including a detailed analysis of the ancient pharmacopoeias. Then you can judge for yourself!"

Ichiro's face turned black. As vice-chairman of Kobayashi Pharma, founded by his father, he knew the company's secrets. Kobayashi Pharma's success stemmed from ancient Chinese prescriptions— cleverly repackaged and marketed as original research. This had rapidly expanded the market due to the medications’ efficacy. However, Kobayashi Pharma had always avoided acknowledging the plagiarism.

Anthony, long resentful of this, had never found an opportunity to challenge them until now. He seized this chance to fight for Chinese medicine.

Ichiro hadn't expected Anthony to pinpoint the origins of their top three drugs. Fearing Anthony's papers, Ichiro hastily said, "Dr. Simmons, is publishing a thesis really necessary? If you're unwilling to cooperate, we can simply part ways."

Anthony replied gravely, "Your blatant denial of plagiarism leaves me nothing to say. Goodbye." He added, "Incidentally, I will write the thesis regardless."

Ichiro, clenching his teeth, eventually conceded. "Since you refuse to cooperate, Dr. Simmons, I won't force you. I no longer need the prescription. Instead, will you sell me the medicine? I'll pay fifty million dollars. My father, paralyzed after a car accident last year, remains bedridden. As his son, I desperately want to cure him!"

Anthony was stunned by the fifty million dollar offer. He glanced at Charlie Wade, the pill's true owner. The decision rested with him.

Charlie subtly signaled Anthony. He disdained fifty million dollars and refused to sell to someone who plagiarized Chinese medicine.

Seeing Charlie's gesture, Anthony replied, "Sorry, Mr. Ichiro. The medication has been used; there are none left."

Ichiro, with a somber expression, accepted this. "Dr. Simmons, I understand. I won't press you further." He turned and left.

Chapter 442

Charlie Wade told Anthony, "That Japanese man seems dangerous. If he believes you possess a cure for paraplegia, be cautious. Mass production of this magical pill would bring him immense wealth."

He referenced the film I Am Not the God of Medicine, about a Chinese leukemia patient forced to seek cheaper, counterfeit medication in India due to exorbitant Western drug prices. This highlighted the ruthlessness of large pharmaceutical companies prioritizing profit. Kobayashi Pharma also sought such medications for mass production and high profits, hence their interest in Anthony.

Ichiro believed a paraplegia cure would be a cash cow. The debilitating condition often leaves patients wishing for death, impacting their families deeply. A billionaire would easily pay fifty million dollars, or even more, for a cure; Ichiro didn’t care about the less wealthy. He wouldn't sell it cheaply.

Ichiro, having investigated beforehand, knew Anthony still possessed the pill. He needed to acquire it, return to Japan, and have his pharmacists analyze it for replication.

Anthony understood Ichiro's intentions. Such ambition wouldn't easily surrender. He knew Ichiro would seek other methods. He assured Charlie, "Rest assured, Mr. Wade, I'll be careful."

Charlie replied, "Caution is insufficient. Remember, everyone is innocent until proven guilty."

Anthony asked, "Mr. Wade, what should I do? I carry the pill at all times. If they try to take it…"

Charlie smiled, "I'll prepare more pills for you. If someone tries to take the magical pill, give them these instead."

Charlie recalled an "Incurable Lucidity Pill" from his memory, offering significant recovery in a short time. He wasn't sure if Ichiro's father truly suffered from high-level paraplegia, but if Ichiro attempted theft, he'd be out of luck.

Chapter 443

The Incurable Lucidity Pill was easy to refine, requiring common medicinal materials. Before the purple ginseng auction, Charlie gave Graham a list of herbs and materials. Graham quickly gathered them, and Charlie refined four Incurable Lucidity Pills in Graham’s rented lounge. Chinese medicine, regardless of type, typically results in dark brown liquid or pills. The Incurable Lucidity Pills were identical in appearance to the magical pill.

Charlie returned to the auction, discreetly giving Anthony four pills, then retrieving the remaining one and a half magical pills for safekeeping.

The auction of the three-hundred-year-old purple ginseng commenced. The host invited Anthony onstage to evaluate it. Anthony, having agreed beforehand, examined the ginseng and declared, "In my opinion, this ginseng is three hundred and fifty years old, or perhaps older. It's truly exceptional!"

The crowd erupted. Charlie admired Anthony's ability to determine the ginseng's age, revealing Anthony’s strong Chinese medicine background.

The host praised Anthony's expertise, mentioning his recent cure of a paraplegic patient.

Back at his seat, Anthony heard, "Dr. Simmons, high-level paraplegia is incurable by both Eastern and Western medicine." It was Chelsea Fox, from the National Medical Center. The crowd gasped at the mention of the prestigious institution.

Chelsea admitted she came to see if Anthony's cure was genuine. Anthony humbly downplayed the claim. Chelsea, surprised by his modesty, was left speechless.

Bidding for the ginseng started at five million dollars, with increments of one million.

Chapter 444

Jeffrey, bidding for Kenneth, opened with ten million dollars to discourage competition, hoping to secure it at a lower price.

Bidding escalated. Jeffrey countered each bid, eventually reaching twenty-five million dollars. Then, Charlie Wade bid thirty million.

Jeffrey and Kenneth were surprised. Kenneth, knowing Charlie was difficult to deal with, countered with forty million. He believed Charlie couldn't afford it. He thought Charlie needed the ginseng for his own condition.

Charlie bid fifty million. Kenneth, furious, told Jeffrey it was a waste of money, as the ginseng was worth, at most, twenty million.

Kenneth countered with sixty million. Charlie responded with eighty million.

Kenneth confronted Charlie, questioning his ability to pay. Charlie calmly replied, "Don't worry, Grandpa can afford it!" (referencing Kenneth's past subservience).

Kenneth, further humiliated, bid ninety million. Jeffrey warned him against overspending.

Kenneth, despite his wealth, felt the strain of spending this much, particularly considering his recent expenses on a romantic rendezvous. However, he desperately needed a cure for his impotence. He decided to stop at ninety million.

Chapter 445

Charlie calmly bid one hundred million dollars.

Kenneth raged, accusing Charlie of deliberately antagonizing him and questioning his financial capability. Anthony then stated that he would cover all of Charlie’s costs. Graham, head of the Quinton family, also offered financial backing.

The crowd was stunned by the support for Charlie Wade. Charlie then pulled out a one hundred million dollar check from Jasmine, crumpled and looking like trash. He asked the auctioneer to verify the check.

Kenneth scoffed, dismissing it as a worthless piece of paper. He even vowed to use one hundred million dollars of toilet paper if it was real. Charlie ignored him.

The auction house's financial team verified the check's authenticity. The crowd was shocked. The chapter ended with contemplation of Charlie's casual handling of such a large sum, and what would have happened had he lost it.