Return of Lord Damien

Chapter 004

“War Goddess? Are you there?”

“Yes,”

she whispered, her mind racing. “It's just... someone mentioned this exact poison earlier today...”

“Impossible!”

Kyle's voice sharpened with interest.

“It took our entire research team weeks to identify it. Who could have—”

“A nobody,”

she cut in quickly, pushing away the unsettling thought.

“He's just making lucky guesses. It must be a coincidence.” But her voice lacked conviction.

“I see.”

Dr.kyle's heavy sigh filled the line. “Then I must deliver the harder news.

This poison... it's beyond our capabilities to treat. Your grandfather's condition has progressed too far.”

At that moment Serenity gripped the phone so tight.

“There must be something...”

“There is... one possibility.”

Dr. Kyle‘s voice dropped lower.

“There are rumors of a legendary physician who might be able to help. He's known to have distributed ten special cards to selected patients. Anyone holding such a card can seek his treatment.”

immediately Serenity's eyes widened.

“Ten cards? How can I find him?”

“That's the challenge. He's more phantom than man. Some say he travels the world in disguise, testing people's hearts before revealing himself. Others claim he's hidden away in some remote mountain clinic.”

At that moment Serenity's military mind kicked into action.

“I'll mobilize every resource. Contact every medical institution. Search every mountain and village and make sure I find him and get my hand on his special card!”

**

Sophia family mansion's grand hall hummed with tension as Kyle arrived, his weathered medical bag a stark contrast to his immaculate suit.

Behind him strutted Young Master Landon, his designer shoes clicking against the floors as the servant hurried to open doors for them.

“Sophia,”

Landon called out, straightening his imported silk tie.

“I promised I'd help, didn't I? One call to my Father, and here's Dr.Kyle himself!”

Dona barely glanced his way, her attention fixed on the renowned physician.

“Thank you, Young Master Landon,”

she replied with practiced politeness that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Landon stepped closer, cologne washing over him.

“My Father said Dr. Kyle hasn't come to see any patients in their house in months. But for us...”

He smiled brightly then raised his shoulder.

“It's easy.”

Sophia didn't listen as she lent Dr Kyle to her grandfather's room.

Dr. Kyle's examination was methodical, his experienced hands moving with practiced precision. At that moment the silence grew heavier with each frown that crossed his distinguished features. Finally, he straightened up, his expression grave.

“Miss Sophia,”

he began, his voice carrying the weight of decades of medical expertise.

“Your grandfather's condition...”

He paused, choosing his words carefully.

“The deterioration has progressed beyond conventional treatment options. The internal damage is...too extensive.”

Immediately Sophia's legs weakened. Her brother caught her elbow, supporting her.

“But you're among the best in the country,”

she whispered.

“Surely you can...”

Her plea was cut off by a sharp, wet cough from the bed. All eyes turned to her grandfather, whose frail body began to convulse violently.

His skin, pale and clammy moments before, now showed patches that looked like crystallized frost creeping across his arms and neck.

“What is that?” Sophia gasped, her voice breaking.

Dr. Kyle’s face darkened as he moved closer.

The frost-like marks seemed to shimmer, an eerie, unnatural sight. Suddenly, her grandfather clutched his chest, groaning in pain as his back arched unnaturally.

His breathing grew ragged, and beads of sweat poured down his face despite the icy patches on his skin.

"Quick, check his temperature!” Dr. Kyle barked.

Sophia scrambled to grab the thermometer, her fingers trembling. When she saw the display, her heart dropped: 105.4 degrees.

Sophia's voice shook as she pulled out the crumpled business card from her pocket.

"The symptoms, the timing... everything he said would happen...”

While they had rushed off chasing famous names and reputations, had they actually turned away their grandfather's true hope of survival?

“Dr. Kyle,”

Mr. Oliver's voice cracked as he stepped towards wanting to gripe Dr. Kyle sleeve.

“Please, I'll give anything, everything I own – just try whatever you can to save my father.”

“There is... one option.”

Dr. Kyle weathered hands, gripping his medical bag tightly.

“A technique from the Ancient Arts. It could preserve his life, but the procedure would place him in a sustained coma. He might live, yes, but never awaken again...”

Immediately the room fell silent. 

Sophia watched her father's shoulders sag under the weight of what Dr. Kyle just said.

“Is there no other way, If there's even a chance...”

Sophia's father began.

Biting her lips, Sophia’s hand slipped into her pocket, her fingers brushing against the card Damien had given her.

She left the room quietly and decided to make the call.

At the same time, just leaving his fiancee’s house, Damien’s phone rang.

“Hello!”

“Sir!” A familiar female voice, tight with desperation, came through the line. “Everything you said about my grandfather—the symptoms, the timing—you were right about all of it.”

Damien’s brows furrowed, but he remained silent.

“Please,” she continued, her voice trembling. “I know we dismissed you, but my grandfather needs your help. He’s... he’s dying.”

Damien sighed softly, his tone measured. “I’m at Jade Gardens, Number 15.”

“We’ll send one immediately!” she replied, hoping to break through her panic. “Please, don’t leave.”