LAPDOG HUSBAND IS A TRILLIONAIRE HEIR

Chapter 24

The tension in Chairman Hargrove's private suite was palpable. Medical equipment beeped steadily in the background, nurses exchanged worried glances, and the collection of prestigious doctors watched with barely concealed disdain as Marcus Chen positioned himself between Yemin and Alexander Hargrove.

"Alexander, please," Marcus implored, his voice low but urgent. "I know Mr. Ravollor doesn't look the part, but he saved your father's life three years ago when everyone else had given up."

Alexander's jaw clenched, his expensive suit barely concealing the tension in his shoulders. "Are you out of your mind, Marcus? Look at him!" He gestured dismissively toward Yemin. "My father needs the country's top medical experts, not some street vagrant you've dragged in here."

The son's resistance is unusual, Yemin thought, studying Alexander's body language. This goes beyond mere skepticism or concern.

Marcus pressed on, desperation edging into his voice. "Your father specifically asked for him, Alexander. When he learned of his condition's return, Mr. Ravollor was the only person he wanted to see."

"Then my father is delirious," Alexander snapped, his handsome face contorted with anger. "I won't let this... this quack anywhere near him. For all we know, he could make things worse!"

Dr. Reynolds cleared his throat pompously. "I must concur with Mr. Hargrove. Allowing an unqualified individual to interfere with established medical protocols could be catastrophic."

Yemin remained utterly calm in the midst of the commotion, his posture relaxed, his expression unruffled by the insults flying around the room. This apparent indifference seemed to both infuriate and unsettle those watching.

A younger doctor whispered to his colleague, "Is this guy for real? He's either completely delusional or..."

"Or what?" his colleague whispered back.

"I don't know. There's something about him."

Marcus noticed Yemin's composure with growing admiration. Despite being dressed simply and surrounded by hostility, the man exuded a quiet confidence that was impossible to ignore.

Chairman Hargrove tried to speak again, but a coughing fit overtook him. A nurse rushed to his side, adjusting his oxygen flow.

Alexander pointed at the chairman's deteriorating condition. "See what you've done? The mere suggestion of your unorthodox methods is distressing him!"

Yemin finally spoke, his voice quiet yet somehow filling the room. "Unless you have a reason for not wanting your father to recover, you should allow me to treat him."

The room fell into stunned silence. No one had expected such a direct challenge.

A calculated risk, Yemin acknowledged internally, but necessary to expose what might be happening here.

Alexander's face flushed crimson. "How dare you!" he exploded. "Are you actually suggesting that I would harm my own father? That I don't want him to get better?"

The assembled doctors and nurses began murmuring among themselves, the room dividing into factions.

"Completely inappropriate..."

"Who does he think he is?"

"To speak to the Hargrove heir like that..."

But others whispered different sentiments:

"Bold claim from someone dressed like that..."

"Something strange about the son's reaction..."

"Those aren't the words of some random fraud..."

Dr. Reynolds stepped forward again, puffing up his chest. "Mr. Chen, I must insist that this individual be removed immediately. His behavior is not only unprofessional but borderline slanderous!"

The chairman's vital monitors began beeping more rapidly, his oxygen saturation dropping.

Alexander pointed dramatically at the monitors. "See what you've caused? Security! Remove this man at once!"

Two security personnel stationed inside the door stepped forward hesitantly, looking to Marcus for confirmation.

Marcus held up his hand, stopping them. "Wait!"

Yemin's eyes never left Alexander's. "Your father does not have much time left," he stated matter-of-factly. "Each minute we spend debating this, his condition deteriorates further. The toxin in his system is reaching critical levels."

"Toxin?" Dr. Reynolds interjected. "We've tested for all known poisons and toxins. There's nothing—"

"Because you're looking for conventional poisons," Yemin interrupted, still addressing Alexander. "If you want your father to live, you need to let me begin treatment. Now."

Alexander's face went through a rapid succession of emotions—rage, uncertainty, and finally, what appeared to be fear.

That's it, Yemin thought. He knows something.

"This is absurd," Alexander spluttered, though with noticeably less conviction. "Father has the best medical team money can buy."

"Yet he's dying," Yemin observed quietly. "And you seem strangely resistant to an alternative that might save him."

The Chairman's monitors began alarming in earnest now. One of the nurses called out, "Blood pressure dropping! Heart rate increasing!"

Dr. Reynolds and his team rushed to the bedside, barking orders and administering medications. In the ensuing chaos, Yemin caught Alexander checking his watch, a gesture so brief and subtle that no one else noticed.

He's waiting for something, Yemin realized. Or timing something.

From the bed, Chairman Hargrove's raspy voice cut through the commotion. "Let... him... help me."

All eyes turned to the Chairman, who had somehow found the strength to prop himself up slightly on his elbows. His gaze, though weakened by illness, held the same authority that had built his business empire.

"Father, you're not thinking clearly," Alexander insisted, moving to the bedside and gently trying to ease him back down. "These doctors have your best interests at heart."

"Alexander," the Chairman wheezed, "step aside... or I'll have... Marcus remove you."

A tense silence fell over the room. Alexander looked as though he'd been struck. For a moment, Yemin thought he might continue his resistance, but then the young man's shoulders sagged.

"Fine," he said coldly. "On your head be it."

He stepped away from the bed, shooting Yemin a look of pure venom.

That's not the end of it, Yemin thought, approaching the Chairman's bedside at last. But it buys us time.

"Everyone except Mr. Chen, please leave the room," Yemin instructed calmly, rolling up his sleeves.

"This is unprecedented!" Dr. Reynolds protested. "We can't possibly—"

"Out!" Chairman Hargrove commanded with surprising strength, triggering another coughing fit.

Reluctantly, the medical team began filing out, muttering among themselves. Alexander lingered by the door.

"I'll be right outside," he said, his eyes fixed on Yemin with undisguised hostility. "If anything happens to my father..."