"Mrs. Mercer," Lucas said with a faint smile, gently interrupting her. "Since this is Mr. Mercer's decision... let's leave it at that."He slowly turned toward Veyron, his eyes filled with unconcealed disdain. "Now that everyone knows the truth, I doubt he'll have the courage to deceive anyone ever again.""Hmph!" Celeste folded her arms and looked at Veyron arrogantly. "You should be thanking Dr. Hayes. If he hadn't exposed you today, I would've reported you already."Veyron merely glanced at her before letting out a quiet chuckle. The corners of his lips lifted slightly.Thank him?This fool?Seeing that he wasn't the least bit embarrassed only made Celeste angrier."What are you laughing at?" Her voice rose several degrees. "Have you no shame?""Mrs. Mercer, don't waste your energy arguing with someone like him." Lucas lightly patted her shoulder. He smiled politely. "We're educated people. There's no need to lower ourselves to his level.""Exactly." Celeste nodded immediately. "We

Edmund's pupils contracted violently. His heart lurched. "No..."He instinctively took half a step forward, panic flashing across his face. "Dr. Hayes... please don't."But it was already too late.SWOOSH!The silver needle pierced Charles' acupoint with flawless precision.Lucas calmly withdrew his hand before dusting his sleeve lightly. A confident smile spread across his face."Chairman Prescott. Perhaps you've forgotten something." His tone carried unmistakable pride."When the Ancient Sage Medical Pavilion selected only a handful of outstanding graduates from Meridian National Medical University... I was among those chosen."A trace of arrogance flickered across his handsome face. "My master personally instructed me in acupuncture for several years. He was one of the greatest acupuncture authorities in the country."As he spoke, he calmly selected another silver needle. After sterilizing it, he aimed at a different acupoint.His movements were smooth and practiced. Not the slight

Remembering how she had treated Veyron earlier, shame washed over Celeste's face. For the first time, she regretted judging someone by appearance.Charles, however, had no intention of dwelling on the past. For more than ten years, he had searched everywhere for someone capable of curing his illness.He had traveled across cities, visited renowned hospitals and sought out famous physicians. Yet every attempt had ended in disappointment.Now... After countless failures... He had finally encountered someone who truly possessed the ability to save him. How could he possibly let that opportunity slip away?"He couldn't have gone far." He gripped Celeste's hand tightly. His voice was weak but urgent. "Hurry. If you leave now... you might still catch him.""Okay." Celeste nodded repeatedly. "I'll find him. I'll apologize to him properly."Without another moment's delay, she stood up. The instant her eyes landed on Lucas, the guilt on her face was replaced by icy anger."You." She pointed at

A crushing wave of humiliation was quickly swallowed by an even greater emotion—fear.Lucas' face turned deathly pale. The arrogance that had filled his expression moments ago vanished completely."Master..." His lips trembled. His voice became weaker with every word. "I... I didn't know..."When he looked into Professor Holloway's eyes, his heart suddenly sank. There was neither warmth nor disappointment in them. Only cold indifference.It was a look Lucas had never received from his master before. For the first time... He realized things had truly gone beyond redemption.Professor Holloway slowly looked at him. His aged face was expressionless."Lucas." His voice was calm, yet every word carried tremendous weight."You disrespected your Master. You insulted your ancestor. You repeatedly endangered a patient's life out of arrogance."He paused briefly before continuing. "A physician without humility will eventually become a calamity. You are no longer worthy of calling yourself my di

Lucas had used only three needles earlier... Yet those three needles had nearly sent Charles to the gates of death.Now Veyron intended to cure a decade-old illness with only nine needles. The contrast left everyone speechless.Edmund couldn't help asking, "Mr Blackthorne... are nine needles really enough?"Veyron didn't answer. He simply walked over and stood before Charles. His expression remained calm, as though what he was about to do was no different from drinking a cup of tea."Sit still." Charles immediately straightened his posture. "Understood."Without another word, Veyron raised his right hand. A silver needle rested lightly between his fingers. The next instant—SWISH!A flash of silver streaked through the air. Before anyone could even blink, the needle had already settled into an acupoint at the back of Charles' neck."So fast..."Edmund's pupils contracted violently. Even Celeste covered her mouth in shock. Neither of them had seen when the needle actually left Veyron's