The Majestic Heir

Chapter 2 - Death Sentence

Less than three hours later, the black car carrying Marc arrived in the courtyard of the Richmond manor.

At that moment, a young woman in a deep crimson velvet uniform stood at the front door, her arms crossed over her chest. Her skin was smooth and flawless like jade, her facial features nearly perfect. Shoulder-length black hair and a long neck further accentuated her divine presence.

But when she saw who stepped out of the car, a look of surprise and disdain instantly crossed her cold face.

“Hendrix, who is this vagrant you’ve brought here? Weren’t you supposed to pick up Dr. Dixon from the airport?”

Violet Richmond was the youngest daughter of Cora, Wesley’s eldest child. Though she had just celebrated her twentieth birthday, her sharp intelligence and calculated demeanor had earned her the responsibility of managing several family businesses.

It was also thanks to her efforts that Samuel Dixon, a renowned doctor from the capital, had agreed to come to Cammont today to examine the patriarch.

“My apologies, Miss,” Hendrix lowered his head. “But Madam Richmond instructed me to pick up—”

Before Hendrix could finish his sentence, Violet waved him off as an S-Class Mercedes-Benz entered the driveway. Picking up her pace, Violet strode past them without sparing Marc a glance.

From the car’s door emerged a man in his seventies, dressed in an elegant black suit.

“Dr. Dixon, it’s such an honor to have you here,” Violet greeted him with a deep bow and a warm smile.

“I’ll do everything I can. Now, please, take me to the patient.”

“This way, please.” Violet led the way.

As she passed Hendrix again, her tone grew firm. “Don’t let anyone into Grandfather’s room.”

“But—but…” Hendrix bent forward again, hesitant to speak. Yet Violet raised her palm, cutting him off.

“Apologies, Mr. Belmont.” Hendrix turned to Marc and bowed once more. “It seems you’ll have to wait.”

“No problem.” Marc waved him off. “After all, it’s my first time back at this manor in years.”

“Mr. Belmont, how about…” Hendrix hesitated, choosing his words carefully after witnessing Marc’s abilities earlier. “How about I take you to the dining hall first?”

Marc was about to decline when a loud growl came from his stomach. “Alright, take me there,” he replied weakly.

Upstairs, in Wesley’s private room on the third floor, Samuel’s brows furrowed deeply as he shook his head. After over an hour of employing advanced medical techniques and the latest treatments, he could only sigh.

“I’ve done everything I can,” he said, checking the patriarch’s pulse one last time. “At this point, only God can heal him.”

The faces of everyone in the room turned pale. Samuel’s words felt like an unavoidable death sentence.

“Dr. Dixon, isn’t there any other way to treat my father?” asked Cora Richmond, a woman in her fifties who still retained much of her beauty. Despite Samuel’s words carrying the weight of medical scripture, she was unwilling to give up so easily.

“Please, do whatever you can,” Violet added. “Money is no object for us. Whatever you need, we’ll provide it.”

“It’s too late,” Samuel shook his head. “If you had brought me here a week earlier, I might have been able to take him to the capital for the best therapies. But given his current condition, he only has a week left at most.”

The words struck both women like a sledgehammer to the chest. Dark clouds settled over their faces, the weight of reality too heavy to bear. Was there truly no other way?

“Why all the worry when there’s still a chance?”

A voice suddenly broke through the oppressive atmosphere. In the midst of their despair, it sounded almost comforting.

Yet as they recalled Samuel’s earlier verdict, the tension quickly returned.

“Who’s that? Who dares speak with such confidence?”

All eyes turned toward the source of the voice, where Marc stood leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, his expression calm.

“Who are you? Who gave you permission to enter this room?” Cora’s eyes flashed with anger.

“Wait, are you the person Hendrix brought here?” Violet shot Marc a sharp look. “Didn’t you hear me say not to come in here?” Frustration and disdain were evident on her face.

Marc stepped closer to Cora. “I’m the person you forced to come here, Aunt Cora.” His tone and expression when he said “Aunt Cora” were mocking.

“Oh, so the useless idiot finally shows up! Listen closely—thank my father properly and then get out of this house for good!”

In the days before Wesley fell into a coma, he had requested someone fetch Marc from Kilhill. Not wanting her father’s condition to worsen, Cora had ordered Hendrix to bring the young man by any means necessary.

But now that the patriarch’s prognosis was grim, Marc’s presence was no longer needed.

“Of course, I’ll gladly do that,” Marc replied flatly. He had never felt at home in this manor, so there was no reason to linger.

Yet as his gaze fell once more on the frail old man lying helplessly in bed, his heart softened.

Although Wesley had never been particularly close to him, the old man had never treated him poorly either. And if Noah were still alive, Marc knew he would do anything for the old man.

Out of respect for his connection to Noah, Marc felt he had to act. Ignoring the others, he approached the bed.

“Although cancer has ravaged most of his lungs, his body is still resilient enough. With my method, he can still be saved.”

Once again, his words stunned everyone. Aside from Samuel Dixon, no outsider knew the details of Wesley’s condition. If anyone else had said those words, they might have felt a glimmer of hope.

“Hah, you’ve got some nerve to boast here,” Violet scoffed, shaking her head. “An idiot like you—what could you possibly do?” She pointed a finger directly at Marc’s face.

“At least I’m not like the man you brought,” Marc replied calmly, nodding toward Samuel. “He’s already given up on helping Wesley, but I haven’t.”

“Enough!” Cora could no longer tolerate the young man’s presence. “The longer you stay here, the more nonsense you spew.”

“Everyone, drag this idiot out of here right now!”

In addition to Hendrix, six certified bodyguards were present. At Cora’s command, they moved to act.

“Wait!” Samuel raised his hand.

“Young man, it seems you don’t know the height of the heavens if you dare to speak so arrogantly about me.”

Samuel, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. Never before had someone dared to insult him so brazenly.

“So, I suppose I must remind you of who I am and where you stand.”

“No need,” Marc shook his head. “The only reason I’m still here is to treat Wesley. I couldn’t care less about anything else.”

“Bold words for an idiot.” Samuel made air quotes with his fingers, his eyes full of contempt. “How about we make a wager? I’ll give you the chance to examine Mr. Richmond. If you manage to achieve anything, no matter how small, I’ll kneel and call you my master.”

“But if it turns out you’re all talk,” Samuel’s gaze burned with anger and disdain, “you’ll soon learn how painful it is when these bodyguards’ batons shatter every bone in your body.”