Chapter 14

“Yes,” Elisa said, her voice trembling. “I’ve brought in many top doctors, but none of them could help. They’ve all said the same thing—there’s nothing to be done, only emergency measures when things go south.” Tears streamed down her face as she turned to Kyle. “Dr. Archer, you’re our last hope. Please, save my dad. He’s worked his whole life, has never caught a break, and now that he finally can enjoy life, his body is failing him.”

Kyle shook his head, his tone measured. “Saving him isn’t impossible, but we’re talking about pulling him back from the brink of death. It’s like wrestling someone out of Death’s hands. Fate wants him, and there’s only so much I can do.”

He sighed. “It’s not that I don’t want to help, but to be blunt, Mr. Rivas Senior’s time is almost up. The best I can do is give him a little more time, but I can’t promise anything beyond that.”

Hearing this, Elisa’s composure shattered. Her shoulders trembled, but she fought to keep her emotions in check. Kyle hadn’t outright said it was impossible, which gave her the sliver of hope she needed.

She stepped forward and grabbed Kyle’s hand, her voice breaking. “Dr. Archer, I’m begging you. I’ll give you anything—whatever you want—just please save him.”

As her knees started to buckle, she made to kneel before him. Kyle caught her mid-motion, his brow furrowing as he pulled her upright.

Before Kyle could respond, Mike stepped in, his voice calm and respectful. “Dr. Archer, may I speak with you privately for a moment? I promise, no matter what happens, we won’t hold it against you.”

Kyle hesitated but nodded slightly.

Mike continued, “Ms. Rivas has been carrying the weight of the Rivas family on her shoulders, but there’s something you should know. She’s not Mr. Rivas’s biological daughter.”

Kyle’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he stayed silent.

“Mr. Rivas never married,” Mike explained. “He spent his life adopting orphans and raising them as his own. He built a legacy without ever harming the innocent. Though the Rivas family controls much of Kerdonia, they’ve never been tyrants. Quite the opposite—they’ve been protectors, earning the people’s respect.”

Hearing this, Kyle’s expression softened, surprise flickering across his face.

“A man like that,” Mike added, “deserves a chance to live a little longer, don’t you think?”

Kyle nodded slowly. “You must be Mike. I understand now. I’ll help. A man who’s lived so righteously deserves this one exception.”

Kyle turned to begin preparations when his gaze flicked toward the hallway. He saw a group of people rushing into the ward next door, shouting a familiar name—Faith.

A wave of dread washed over him. Faith had just visited him earlier, speaking of her troubled engagement to an unworthy man. Margaret had seen her visit and vowed to stir trouble. And now, her family was here, in the hospital?

The pieces connected too quickly. Kyle couldn’t ignore it.

He strode toward the other ward, his focus shifting completely.

“Dr. Archer?” Mike called out, puzzled, before following him.

Inside the adjacent ward, the hospital bed was empty. Kyle overheard the doctor speaking. “Faith suffered a severe beating. She’s in surgery now, but she’s stable. We’ll need to run a full examination when she wakes up. Please, remain outside and keep calm.”

Hearing this, Kyle’s eyes darkened, fury flickering in their depths. Faith was a kind-hearted woman who had always shown him care. The thought of someone hurting her so badly that she required emergency surgery ignited something primal within him.

Mike, noting the shift in demeanor, stepped closer. “Dr. Archer, is there something I can do to assist you?”

Kyle’s gaze lingered on the empty bed before he shook his head. “No. Not yet. I’ll deal with this later. For now, I have another life to save.” He turned and headed back to Elliot’s ward, his steps purposeful and deliberate.

He addressed the Rivas family firmly. “Everyone out. No one comes in until I say so. Do not open this door unless I call for you.” Kyle pulled a small box from his pocket. It was no larger than a palm, containing twelve finely crafted golden acupuncture needles neatly lined up.

Elisa’s anxiety was palpable as she watched his every movement, her breath catching at the sight of the needles.

“Dr. Archer,” she stated. “Is there anything we can do? Are you planning to use acupuncture to save him?”

Kyle turned to her, his voice calm but laced with a warning. “Your father is halfway to the grave. What I’m about to do defies nature itself. The consequences are injurious to bear. I’m doing this because your father lived a righteous life. Do you understand?”

Elisa froze for an instant before nodding and stepping out of the ward.

Once outside, she turned to Mike, her voice low but urgent. “Archer went to the ward next door before coming back. Something seemed off when he returned. Do you know what happened?”