Even with a heartbeat, Lily looked weak. Fred noticed this and turned to the doctor. "Examine her!"

They immediately complied, and one announced, "Your Grace, she's out of danger, but she's fragile. She will need time to recuperate."

"For how long?" Fred frowned.

"Two weeks at least."

"That long?" Fred's expression darkened. He couldn't wait that long, but there was no other option. He strode toward Dominic, grabbing him by the collar. "How dare you mess with me, old man? What if she had died?" He gestured toward Lily, the memory fueling his anger. If Lily had died, all his efforts would have been wasted.

Dominic simply laughed.

Fred was about to strike again when a doctor whispered, "Perhaps he was trying to save her."

"What do you mean?" Fred frowned.

After hesitating, the doctor explained, "I've read of a similar technique in ancient texts. It involves worsening the patient's condition to hopefully revive them." This was akin to using a defibrillator—a machine they hadn't dared use, fearing the risk. If Lily had died under anyone's care, that person would have faced Fred's wrath. "Are you saying he was trying to save her, not kill her?" Fred's eyes narrowed.

Dominic's expression didn't suggest this was the case, and he hadn't attempted to explain himself.

"Based on Lily's condition, I believe he was." After all, she had not only been revived but showed significant improvement in vital signs.

"Was that what you were doing?" Fred asked, a half-smile playing on his lips as he loomed over Dominic, who merely sneered.

Dominic's disdain irritated Fred, but he couldn't kill the old man yet; he still needed him.