Chapter 55

An elderly man, tall and gaunt with a prominent nose, strode into the Stevens family home. He barked impatiently, "Don't waste my time! Where's the patient? I have other matters to attend to!"

Irene rushed forward with a fawning smile. "You must be the renowned Dr. Cedric Aicker from Jayrodale! Please, Doctor, have a seat and some tea before we begin!"

Cedric dismissed her with a dismissive glance. "Are you daft? This is a matter of life and death! Instead of offering tea, you should be saving someone! Do you want the patient to die?"

Irene flushed crimson, shrinking back meekly. Christina and the others quickly led Cedric to Douglas.

Examining the patient from his seat beside the bed, Cedric frowned. "Strange," he muttered, "very strange indeed…"

"Doctor Aicker, what's strange?" Harvey asked. "Is it beyond even your expertise?"

Cedric exploded. "Nonsense! No one in Jayrodale matches my skills! If I can't treat him, nobody can!"

Harvey's face darkened, but he remained silent. "Please tell us what's wrong with Mr. Stevens," he said patiently.

Christina added anxiously, "Please help my grandfather, Doctor Aicker. With your incredible skills, I'm sure he'll be fine."

A wry smile touched Cedric's lips. "At least this young lady has some sense. Your grandfather is perfectly fine. You don't need my services!"

The Stevens family stood dumbfounded as Cedric packed his bag. They had witnessed Douglas bleeding and unconscious.

Christina protested, "But Doctor Aicker, there's blood on Grandpa's face, and he's unconscious!"

Cedric dismissed her concerns. "He was in danger because you gave him powerful supplements his body couldn't handle, nearly killing him. However, someone intervened, clearing his circulation and performing a treatment he wouldn't have survived without. You should thank whoever that was. The old man wouldn't have lasted until my arrival."

The Stevens family members turned to Andrew. It dawned on them that Douglas might not have survived without Andrew's quick action.

Gerald sighed. "Andy, you saved Doug. We owe you one," he said, glaring at Irene and Leroy. "Andy warned us the pill was fake and dangerous, but you two were the loudest objectors. I don't even know what to say about your foolishness!"

Irene and Leroy hung their heads.

"Uncle Gerald, you also said the pill was genuine," Leroy muttered. "Now you're blaming us?"

Cedric, having overheard, frowned. "Medicinal pill? Are you saying you gave him the pill from Mistveil Peak?"