National Asset: The Marvelous Tyler Wood

Chapter 9

Luis's calm voice sliced through the chaos.

Then the guards froze mid-step.

Then Luis's lips curved into a smile that didn't reach his cold eyes. A quiet laugh bubbled from his throat, growing louder until it filled the scene.

“Let him stay,”  Luis said, brushing invisible dust from his sleeve.

“I think it's time I show Tyler exactly what a miraculous doctor truly means.” His eyes narrowed to slits.

“He clearly doesn't understand the gap between us, if their is any.”

The room fell silent as Luis turned to face Everly's parents with a serious expression. He straightened his golden collar and cleared his throat.

“I should mention that I was actually supposed to be at the King's palace by now,” Luis said with practiced humility. “His Majesty has fallen terribly ill, and the royal messenger brought me this.”

Immediately he pulled out a scroll with a royal seal.

“I've been personally summoned to cure the King himself.”

Immediately Everly's parents nodded so hard their heads might fall off. Their eyes sparkled with awe as they hung on Luis's every word.

“The King's offer is beyond imagination!” Everly's father exclaimed, spreading his arms wide. “One million dollars in gold! A royal position with all the luxury one could dream of!”

Her mother stepped forward, her voice high with excitement.

“And his two daughters! Beautiful princesses with skin like pearls and education from the finest teachers and schools!”

She clutched her heart.

“The person who cures his Majesty gets to choose one for marriage. If  picked the eldest, that person will be next in line for the crown itself!”

The room seemed to glow with the weight of such riches. Servants who pretended not to listen stopped their work, their mouths hanging open.

“And yet,” Everly's father said, his voice dropping to a whisper of wonder, “Luis chose our humble family over the King's magnificent offer.” He bowed deeply.

“This proves Luis is a man of pure heart. He cares only for people's wellbeing, not for gold or power!”

Luis reached for Everly's hand, holding it gently between his own.

“I care deeply for Everly,” Luis said softly, his eyes never leaving her face. “Her happiness means more to me than all the riches in the kingdom. All the crowns in the world can't compare to the smile on her face.”

At that moment a pink blush spread across Everly's cheeks. The corners of her mouth lifted into a shy smile that lit up her entire face. She looked at Luis as if he had hung the moon and stars just for her.

Tyler watched this scene unfold with disgusting gaze, his blood boiling hotter than a blacksmith's forge.

The urge to punch Luis's perfect teeth burned through him like wildfire.

He could have stormed out right then, leave the house of betrayal behind forever. His mind raced with thoughts of his mother waiting for his news. But something kept his feet planted firmly on the floor. Everly's grandfather—the kind old man who had once found them and his mother sleeping in an alley, half-starved and sick with fever. The old man who gave them food, shelter, and hope when no one else would look their way.

Tyler needed to see the old man's condition with his own eyes. He owed him that much, at least, before he vanished from their lives forever.

Without wasting anymore time Everly's parents bowed to Luis like he was a god among men.

“Thank you, thank you,” they said together, their voices sweet with hope.

“Please, follow us.” They led the way through the grand house with its polished wooden floors and ancient paintings.

At that moment Tyler moved to follow them, but immediately three guards stepped in front of him.

Their faces showed no feeling as they blocked his path.

Then Luis glanced back, a tiny smile dancing on his lips.

“Let him come,” he called out with a wave of his hand.

“I want him to see what a true doctor can do.”

At that moment the guards stepped aside, their eyes still watching Tyler like hawks.

They walked down a long hallway where sunlight spilled through paper windows, and the smell of medicine grew stronger with each step. Finally, they entered a large room where Old Master Jonathan lay on his bed.

Immediately Tyler's heart dropped like a stone in water. The old man who once stood tall as a mountain now looked small and broken. His skin hung on his bones like an old jacket. Deep wrinkles covered his face like a map of rivers, and his breathing came in short, painful gasps.

He wasn't just old or sick—he was dying.

Without thinking, Tyler rushed forward to check the old man's pulse. His fingers had barely touched the thin wrist when Everly's father grabbed his shoulder and yanked him back.

“What do you think you're doing?” he shouted, his face twisted with anger.

Her mother stepped between Tyler and the bed.

“Are you trying to finish him off because we sent your greedy mother away?” she hissed.

“Haven't you done enough harm to this family?”

The words hit Tyler like a slap. His expression darkened as he stepped back, his eyes never leaving the old man's face.

The room fell quiet except for Jonathan's labored breathing.

“Mountain Age,” Tyler suddenly said, his voice cutting through the silence.

At that moment Everyone turned to look at him again.

“That's what he has. Mountain Age,” Tyler repeated more firmly.

 He pointed to the blue veins showing through the old man's pale skin.

“See how they branch like tree roots? And the dry patches on his hands shaped like mountain peaks?”

Tyler looked straight at Luis, whose confident smile had slipped a little. “This is a tier two sickness. A newcomer to medicine would never be able to treat it properly.” His voice grew stronger.

 “One small mistake could cause Old Master Jonathan terrible pain before death.”

At that moment Tyler took a step toward Luis, his eyes burning with challenge.

“If you're truly a miraculous doctor, you'd know this already. But you don't, do you? Admit that you're not what you claim to be, and let me do this before it's too late.”