Chapter 9 Smarty-Pants

Henry's eyebrows shot up. Seriously? The nerve of this guy. He had studied abroad, published over 20 professional papers, and had years of clinical experience under his belt. With a resume like his, most people in the field treated him with respect. But this kid was acting all high and mighty. Annoyance bubbled up, and he decided to make his point. "Mr. Carter, I've worked with some of the best in the industry, even while overseas. Funny thing, I've never heard of anyone called Dragon Healer." In the medical world, reputation and experience were everything. Henry wasn't about to let some random guy overshadow him, especially in front of the Carter family. If word spread, it would be humiliating. "If you haven't heard of me," Alexei said, unfazed, "you probably just haven't reached that level yet." Henry's jaw tightened, and his hands curled into fists. He was just about ready to snap. Sensing the tension, Levi jumped in. "Dr. Diaz, let's focus on my father. How's he doing?" Henry took a deep breath, glad for the chance to shift gears. "His condition hasn't changed much. But I've been using a specially prepared ambrose liquid to stabilize him. It's helping keep him alive." Nearby, the medical team worked with precision, grinding ambrose, winter grass, summer grass, and snow rose into a fine powder. They filtered it, mixed it into a protein solution, and carefully administered it via IV. Levi's face lit up with appreciation. "Dr. Diaz, your work is incredible. Combining ancient remedies with modern techniques, that's genius. Without you, my dad wouldn't still be here." Henry gave a modest wave, though pride flickered on his face. "I'm just doing my part. Honestly, I have great respect for Mr. Daniel. That's why I agreed to stay on as the Carter family's guest doctor for these three months." Henry turned to Alexei, his words laced with a thin veneer of politeness. "Of course, someone as young as you claiming to be a miracle doctor must have something special up their sleeve, right?" The sarcasm in his tone was impossible to miss, drawing a few raised eyebrows around the room. Alexei barely reacted, giving a dismissive shake of his head. "Smarty-pants," he muttered under his breath. Henry's eyes narrowed. "What did you just say?" Alexei met his glare with calm indifference. "Your ambrose pills? They're junk. Not only are they doing nothing for him, but they're also making things worse." The room fell silent. Henry's face turned red as he barked, "That's a bold accusation! If they're so bad, how do you explain him holding on all this time?" Alexei didn't flinch. His voice remained steady, almost bored. "Your idea of blending traditional and modern methods isn't entirely wrong, but you're missing the point. "Ambrose, snow rose, all those fancy ingredients are fine for someone healthy enough to handle them. But for a man this weak? They're like poison. Instead of helping, you're wearing his body down even faster." Henry's defiance faltered, and his complexion shifted from angry red to pale white. He opened his mouth to respond but couldn't find the words. Levi, who had been watching closely, finally stepped in. His tone, once warm, now carried a sharp edge. "Henry, you've done your part these past few days. Take a break. Mr. Walker will take it from here." After a tense pause, Henry clenched his fists and forced a polite bow. "I may have been mistaken earlier. I'll leave Mr. Daniel's treatment in Mr. Walker's capable hands." He stepped back, though his narrowed eyes made it clear he wasn't letting this go. Levi turned back to Alexei, his demeanor softening. "Mr. Walker, please." With a small nod, Alexei approached the bed, his sharp eyes scanning Daniel's frail form. Alexei didn't share everyone else's nervous energy. His movements were effortless as he checked the old man's pulse and pressed a few spots on his body. He didn't rush, nor did he seem overly concerned. After a moment, he stopped, closing his eyes like he was piecing together a puzzle in his mind. "Mr. Walker, how confident are you in treating my dad?" Levi asked, his tone tight with worry. Alexei opened his eyes, his usual calm replaced by a sharp focus. "His condition is rough, but not hopeless. I'd say I'm 80% sure I can fix this." Levi's face broke into a smile, relief flooding his features. "That's the best news I've heard in ages. With you here, there's finally a chance. Maybe I can actually sleep at night now." For the past year, Levi had been running himself into the ground, chasing every lead, every possible solution. Those words felt like a weight lifting off his shoulders. Without further delay, Alexei reached for the box nearby. His demeanor turned serious as he carefully opened it, revealing a neatly folded cloth bag inside.