Rise Of The Legendary Goldmaster.

5 || CAN YOU HEAL MY GRANDFATHER?

The atmosphere in Ward 9 of the East City International hospital was heavy with anxiety as members of the Stone family watched their sick patron fight for his life.

Grandpa Stephen was already old and frail.

To make matters worse, the sickness weakened his immune system. He had to breathe with the aid of oxygen tubes.

Victoria’s father finally broke the tense silence,

“Dr. Malcolm, what’s the prognosis? Is the medicine working? Will my father get any better?”

Dr. Malcolm Pierce was a well known expert healer and vice president of the East City medical association.

Currently, he was in charge of Grandpa Stephen’s treatment.

He turned to address the Stone family, his eyes filled with disappointment.

“I am very sorry but the family might have to bid grandpa Stephen goodbye tonight.

His condition has worsened and there’s no flow of oxygen to his brain. I don’t think he will live to see the next sunrise.”

“What?!!” Gasps of shock erupted from the small crowd.

“Doctor, there must be something you can do to help him,” Mrs. Stephen pleaded, her tone filled with desperation.

“We’re ready to do anything! Whatever amount of money you ask for will be paid tonight.

Just, please, do something. Don’t let him die!”

Dr. Malcom shook his head, a clear indication that all hope was lost,

“The medicine I formulated could only extend his life for ten years.

This is the end of the road, I’m afraid. There’s nothing more I can do.”

Mr. Stone tried to speak but just then, Victoria hurried inside the ward with Asher on her heels.

“Mum, dad, this is Asher Deville. He’s an expert healer and I’m one hundred percent positive that he can heal grandpa.”

For a moment, silence reigned in the ward.

Members of the Stone family regarded Asher with different degrees of shock, confusion and disdain.

This man? Expert healer? Impossible!

“Victoria, my darling,” Mr. Stephen said, “This young man doesn’t even look like he can afford two square meals.

How then could he afford the training required to qualify as an expert healer?”

“Your father is right.” Mrs. Stone chimed in.

“We all know that it takes thirty years of training to become an expert healer. This fellow doesn’t look a day above twenty-three!”

“Mum, dad, I assure you that he can help grandpa.” Victoria said confidently.

Look, I didn’t want to tell you this because I knew you would worry, but I nearly had a seizure this morning and Asher saved me.”

Mr. Stone turned to Asher, regarding him suspiciously;

“Young man, I don’t think the fickle knowledge that you possess about medicine will be enough to heal my father.”

Asher’s lips curved in a confident smile;

“Not to toot my own horn, Mr. Stone, but I’m the only person on earth who can heal grandpa Stephen right now.”

Mr. Stone was still skeptical.

Even Dr. Malcolm, one of the greatest physicians in the city, was unable to heal Grandpa Stephen.

“The doctor said he might not live to see tomorrow. What makes you think your abilities are powerful enoughh to help him?”

“Dr. Malcolm does not wield the power over life and death,” Asher said with quiet authority, “how then can you believe his unverified assumptions?”

Seeing that Asher seemed calm and confident, Mr. Stone decided to cave in.

“I don’t trust you, but if you’re able to heal my father, be rest assured that I will give you anything you want.”

Asher nodded and moved to check on grandpa Stephen.

However, before he could even touch the hospital bed, someone stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

Asher looked down, surprised to find Dr. Malcolm glaring daggers at him.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going? Do you honestly think I would let you touch my patient?” He seethed.

“I have practiced medicine for more than forty years and you’re nothing but an unqualified pretty boy!

How dare you stroll in here and question my prognosis? The only person qualified to be called an expert healer in this room is me!

I’m sure you took advantage of Miss Stone’s good heart and defrauded her.

Look, I would advise you to leave this hospital right now or I’ll have you arrested for fraud and deceit!”

“Really? But maybe I can fix your erectile dysfunction before the cops arrive.”

Asher’s comeback landed like a bomb. For a second, the room was deathly silent.

Dr. Malcom’s entire face reddened with humiliation. He lowered his head, clearly embarrassed.

How did the bastard know about his secret condition?

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Asher walked around him and moved to the bed to examine grandpa Stephen.

After three minutes of checking his pulse, heart rate and other vitals, he came to an alarming conclusion.

“He's been poisoned.

I need to get rid of it before it spreads even further.”

“Poison? How is that possible?!”

The Stone family was shocked at the revelation, but there was no time to waste.

“Do whatever you must!” Mr. Stone gave Asher the go ahead.

Asher swung into work mode immediately, retrieving five acupuncture needles from a case in his coat pocket.

“Do you even know what you’re doing, you overconfident buffoon?” Dr. Malcom mocked.

“What medical expert still uses the acupuncture technique in this twenty-first century?

This technique is so out of practice that even the nation’s top doctor, Bradley Caldwell, does not practice it!”

Everyone waited with bated breath, watching closely to see Asher’s next move.

Apparently, he seemed to know what he was doing.

Asher carefully traced Grandpa Stephen’s chest with the tip of his middle finger.

Periodically, he paused and smoothly inserted each needle into the correct acupuncture point.

The process was tough and required a lot of patience. By the time he was done, the Stone family were greatly impressed.

Just a second later, a tremendous miracle happened.

Stephen’s eyes snapped open and the old man’s brittle frame shook with a ragged bout of coughing.

Black blood spewed from his lips and soaked into his hospital gown.

For a moment, no one moved or uttered a single word. They could only watch, frozen in shock.

Even Dr. Malcom could not believe his eyes.

“Grandpa!!” Victoria’s shrill voice rented the air as she ran to his bedside.

Mr. Stone was filled with gratitude,

“Asher, I’m eternally grateful. Thank you so much for saving my father’s life.

State whatever amount you want and I’ll be happy to wire it you immediately.”

Asher shook his head. “It's not that simple—his body still holds a heavy load of poison. Watch him closely—don’t let him move around, and whatever you do, don’t take the silver needles out.

I need to go back and get the antidote.”

Asher turned and walked away, with Victoria calling out anxiously.

"When will you be back?"

"In two hours," Asher replied, waving over his shoulder.

***

Barely thirty minutes had gone by when a young man dressed smartly in an expensive suit walked into the ward.

His name was Scott Montessori and he was Dr. Bradley’s assistant.

Right behind him was Dr. Bradley Caldwell, East City’s top medical practitioner and a renowned expert healer.

The Stone family had invited Dr. Bradwell all the way from the next city over four hours away with hopes that he could treat Grandpa Stephen.

When he arrived, Dr. Bradley immediately noticed that the man whom everyone claimed was sick and dying, was actually awake and conversing with his family.

What the hell is going on?

And why then had he wasted his time to come here?

He recognized Dr. Malcolm instantly and assumed that he must have healed Grandpa Stephen and nursed him back to health.

“Hello, everyone.” He greeted, trying to hide his annoyance.

“Dr. Bradley!” Mr. Stephen exclaimed. “How wonderful of you to join us.”

The doctor nodded. “I see your patron is finally conscious. Dr. Malcom must have done a great job.

That means I did not have to drive all the way here after all.”

The Stone family failed to notice the bitterness in his tone.

Still boiling with anger, Dr. Bradley noticed the acupuncture needles on Grandpa Stephen’s chest and moved closer.

“Hold on, are those acupuncture needles?”

He looked up, regarding Dr. Malcolm with disgust,

“How could you do this? You know the dangers associated with this technique! How could you be so careless?!”

Dr. Malcolm tried to defend himself but his superior was not having it.

“It’s just pure luck that you were able to heal him. This procedure could’ve killed him completely!”

Suddenly, a weak moan filled the air.

“Grandpa, are you okay?” Victoria asked in a panicked tone.

“Something is wrong with him. Grandpa…!!”

Stephen vomited blood all over his recently changed clothes, much to the horror of his family.

Before anyone could figure out what was wrong with him, the old man collapsed on the bed and his eyes drifted shut once again…