Chapter 12 Seeking Dwayne's Help

"Grandma's in bad shape. They just took her to the hospital." "As I thought," Dwayne replied, sighing with resignation. The Hand of Yama had already warned him about Michelle's worsening condition, but nobody had listened. "How did you know Grandma was this sick?" Evelyn asked. "Uh… My sister's been in the hospital, so I've picked up a few medical books here and there," Dwayne replied, casually spinning a plausible excuse. "Can you save her?" "I could. But I don't want to." After all, Dwayne wasn't about to help people who treated him poorly. "Are you really going to let her die?" Evelyn's tone was accusatory. "She's still your elder." "Sure, I see her as an elder. But has she ever treated me like family?" he retorted. Evelyn fell silent, then murmured, "If I beg you… will you really still refuse to help?" Dwayne paused, surprised by her plea. After a moment, he asked, "If I save her, will she return the project she painstakingly managed to you?" Evelyn hesitated. "I don't know. I just want to save Grandma." She's too naive, he thought, but something in him softened. "Where are you? I'll come." Whether Michelle lived or died didn't matter to him. But Evelyn was being punished, and it was somewhat related to him, making it difficult for him to stay out of it. "I'm outside the emergency room." "Alright, I'll be there in five minutes." Meanwhile, a crowd had gathered outside the emergency room, including the Lynn family members and a collection of medical experts and renowned doctors, all in hushed discussion about Michelle's critical condition. The serious faces of the doctors painted a bleak picture. "Doctor, how is my mother?" Samuel and Joanna jumped to their feet as several doctors emerged from the emergency room, their white coats pristine and expressions somber. The lead doctor scanned the group. "Who's the family head here?" "I am!" Samuel stepped forward quickly. "I'm her eldest son." The doctor spoke gravely, "The patient's condition is extremely dangerous. Initially, a tumor was pressing against her nerves, and there was a chance for treatment. But with the wrong care, the tumor has ruptured, and her brain is flooded with contaminated blood. Surgery now would be incredibly high-risk." What? All eyes turned to Samuel, whose face had gone ghostly pale. It was Samuel's attempt at a traditional massage technique that led to Michelle bleeding from her nose, ears, and eyes. But with his solid reputation, none of the relatives dared to point fingers. After a moment of tense silence, the family erupted in tearful chaos. "How could this happen?" "Mom!" "Grandma, don't leave us!" The doctor, visibly impatient, cut in, "She's not gone yet! Can you all stop wailing as if she already is?" Joanna dabbed at her eyes and asked, "Doctor, is there really no way to save her?" The doctor hesitated, then said, "There might be one way. Mr. Larson is currently at our hospital. If he steps in personally, there's a better chance." Samuel's eyes widened. "Are you talking about Mr. Larson, President of the Traditional Medicine Association?" The doctor nodded. His expression suddenly changed, and he announced, "Mr. Larson is here right now!" A group of doctors appeared, led by an elderly man with white hair and a powerful presence dressed in traditional attire. Owen Larson—often called Saint Larson—was the President of the Traditional Medicine Association in Ashtonville. He had over fifty years in medicine and a reputation for miraculous recoveries. His respect in the field was unmatched, earning the admiration of many prominent figures. Samuel stepped forward. "Mr. Larson, I'm Samuel Lynn from Herbs Apothecary. My mother is inside. Please allow me to accompany you in." His face showed both hope and anxiety, the very image of a filial son. But Samuel was also angling for a connection with Owen, hoping it would benefit his clinic and gain him some prestige. "Alright," Owen agreed. Given the urgency and Samuel's background in medicine, he didn't hesitate. At the elevator, Dwayne stepped out, spotting Evelyn waiting anxiously. "Right on time—just five minutes," she muttered, annoyed by his calm demeanor. She felt a flash of frustration; how had she ever placed hope in this man? Dwayne was unfazed as he drawled, "I walked here, didn't fly. Besides, everyone had already wasted time ignoring me. What's another couple of minutes?" His words hit Evelyn, reminding her that he had, in fact, warned them. No one had listened. She had even scolded him publicly, embarrassing him. If Michelle had not pull through, only Dwayne would have been innocent. Yet her pride kept her from apologizing. "Grandma is in critical condition. If you can help, please do," she said, pulling him toward the emergency room door. When Britney saw the duo approaching, she immediately mocked, "Evelyn, you know Grandma can't stand this good-for-nothing. Are you deliberately bringing him here just to rile her up?" Callum chimed in, his tone harsh. "This is all your fault, you disgrace! If you hadn't cursed Grandma, she wouldn't be lying in the hospital. Go back to your mountain village and stop causing trouble!"