Adrian’s calm barely wavered, but it terrified Serena Hill.Archie Nolan wouldn’t lay a hand on her, but if Adrian fell here, how could she ever face Daisy? The guilt would follow her for life. Adrian had saved her, and now she might have dragged him to his death.“Have you truly no regard for law or consequence?”Kendall Mitchell gave a derisive laugh. “Save your breath, Miss Serena. He offended Mr. Nolan. Even if the head of your Hill family showed up, it wouldn’t change a thing.”Serena fell silent. Kendall wasn’t wrong. Even her brother couldn’t stop what was coming—he might even haul her to the Nolans to apologize.Adrian noticed her unease and patted her shoulder. “Auntie, don’t be sorry. I told you—they can’t touch me. Stand back, enjoy the show, and keep yourself safe.”“But—”She didn’t finish. Archie cut in coolly, “Miss Hill, step aside. Fists don’t have eyes, and I’d hate for you to get hurt.”At his gesture, the academy’s disciples rushed forward. Adrian pushed Serena beh

“That’s right—he dies today.”Raymond Mitchell recovered his wits and spoke in a low, iron tone.The two moved as one, wordless and lethal, brewing a killing stroke.They surged forward with a single target in mind.Adrian.Spencer Nolan didn’t hesitate to unveil his signature art: Tiger King Fist.His blows were brutal, the force within them torrential, shattering the bluestone underfoot. Chaos rippled through the crowd outside the auction hall.Everyone now understood what it meant when a Mythical Tier fighter flew into a rage.Raymond held back nothing either; his palms rose and fell in great sweeping arcs.With the two of them going all out, the onlookers scattered for cover, terrified of being caught in the blast.Serena Hill blanched. “Adrian—”But Adrian didn’t dodge as everyone expected. Instead, he stepped straight into the oncoming storm.“Heavenly Astral Palm!”His voice cut like a bell. He pressed both palms forward; a crimson light bloomed in his hands, suffused with a fo

Bianca Irving’s arrogance set tempers alight. Adrian was about to speak, but Daisy tugged at his sleeve.“President Irving, here’s our request,” Daisy said evenly. “We’d like your help persuading members of the Chamber to maintain their partnerships with the Hill Group a while longer. Within a month, we guarantee a new product will launch—and it will sweep the market.”“Are you joking?” Bianca replied coolly. “I may be president, but I have no authority to dictate others’ choices.”“Unless you can reverse your reputation now, they’ll naturally continue to cut ties.”Daisy heard it clearly. Bianca had no interest in brokering anything—not even a token effort. With her influence, a word from her would have swayed at least a few.But even when you’re asking for help, the other party has the right to refuse. Daisy let it go.She produced a carefully prepared gift and offered it with a warm smile.“President Irving, I know this puts you in a difficult position. But the Hill Group will turn

Hearing there was a child involved, Daisy couldn’t help softening. She shot Adrian a furtive look.After all, the girl was young. She shouldn’t be dragged into the crossfire of adult grudges.Adrian remained unmoved, his voice edged with mockery. “President Irving has no qualms about dragging Hill Group into this—why should I be generous to her child?”“You—!”Bianca Irving shot to her feet, livid. “Dean Emerson must have found the wrong person. There’s no way this youngster is a true healer! What kind of miracle doctor stands by and lets someone die?”Adrian’s smile was razor-thin. “The door’s behind you. See yourselves out.”Bianca Irving instantly tugged Finn Thompson away. Finn kept glancing back, wanting to speak, but in the end, he couldn’t overrule his wife.“Adrian, are we being…?”Adrian shook his head, cutting Daisy off. “I have medical skill, but I’m not God. Other people’s fate isn’t our burden. Don’t torment yourself over it.”“Don’t forget how she treated you at noon—how

Adrian had no choice but to stop once more.Sensing a chance, Jasper Emerson quickly softened his request. “How about this, Dr. Doyle? You wouldn’t need to report to the hospital routinely, and we wouldn’t call you for ordinary cases. Only in emergencies would we reach out to you—would that work?”As if afraid Adrian might refuse, Jasper hurried to add, “We’d appoint you as our honorary vice dean—free of any constraints, consulted only for special situations.”“Well?”Jasper’s ingratiating smile was relentless. Adrian couldn’t take being shadowed another step; he sighed.“Fine.”“Good—excellent! I’ll have a contract drafted at once! No—better yet, you go on ahead. I’ll send it straight to Hill Group the moment it’s ready.”He walked Adrian all the way to the hospital entrance. “When you have time to sign, call me—I’ll send someone to collect it.”Adrian nodded. It would indeed save a great deal of trouble.Beaming, Jasper pressed his business card into Adrian’s hand, then had his own