From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44 The Wager

“You little brat, what did you just say?”

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Raymond had a frigid expression, while his tone was chilly. As a renowned doctor in Mornwick, he treated countless difficult and complex illnesses, curing them all with his impeccable skill. He was indisputably the top healer in the region, second only to his master. No one could surpass his medical prowess.

In Mornwick, everyone treated him with the utmost respect. Even the head of the Halloway family, the most powerful clan in the province, would bow before him, bending over backward to please him. Yet here stood a boy who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, claiming that he couldn’t cure William?

“I’m just stating the facts. Why get so worked up?”

Leander’s voice was calm and indifferent. “Your medical skills are decent, but his father’s illness isn’t something that can be cured by medical expertise alone.”

Raymond chose to ignore Leander’s words, turning directly to Gale instead.

“Who is this kid, Mr. Halloway? Is he one of yours?”

Gale felt a bit awkward as he shook his head. “Dr. John, this is Mr. Ashcroft, a guest of honor in our family and my daughter Ivy’s savior.”

Upon hearing this, Raymond let out a sneering laugh. “You addressed him as such? Has that title become so easy to earn that even a wet–behind–the–ears kid can claim it?

“One must possess extraordinary abilities, master the teachings of the ancients, and serve as a mentor to others to deserve such a title. Mr. Halloway, you’ve been running the family for six or seven years now. Do you not understand this basic principle?”

His dissatisfaction was palpable as he halted in his tracks.

“Out of respect for our families‘ relationship, I agreed to descend the mountain to help treat your father. Do you think just about anyone can summon me? Yet, the moment I arrive, a nobody dares to insult me. If that’s the case, I won’t treat your father. Go find someone else.”

With that, Raymond turned on his heel, ready to leave. Gale, feeling panic rising within him, rushed forward to block his path, bowing in a desperate plea.

“Dr. John, Mr. Ashcroft didn’t mean it that way. Please, I beg you to show mercy and save my father!”

“Hmph!” Raymond snorted coldly, pointing directly at Leander. “I’ll save him, but only if this

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kid leaves I don’t care if he’s your benefactor or not. If he takes one more step inside the Halloway family’s home, I won’t lift a finger to help!”

“This…”

Gale froze on the spot, ensnared in an impossible dilemma. He desperately needed to save his father’s life, which meant he couldn’t let Raymond leave, Leander was a guest of honor, having saved Ivy’s life, though. How could he justify forcing Leander out of the family home?

As Gale’s expression twisted in helpless indecision, Leander suddenly broke the silence.

“Is this the extent of a great healer’s composure and character? You don’t need to put Mr. Halloway in a difficult position. If you believe my words were meant to insult you, why don’t we make a wager?”

Leander’s gaze shifted to the jade pendant hanging from Raymond’s neck.

“If you can cure Mr. Halloway’s father, I’ll let you decide what happens to me. But if you can’t…”

The challenge hung in the air, heavy with tension.

Raymond slowly turned his head, a vicious smile spreading across his face.

“You want to bet with me?”

He erupted into loud laughter, a sinister glint in his eyes. Then, he nodded firmly, his grin brimming with malice.

“Fine, boy. I’ll accept it. Let’s just hope that when I make you crawl beneath my feet, you won’t go back on your word!”

Leander shrugged nonchalantly. “With Mr. Halloway as a witness, what’s there to worry about?”

Raymond waved his sleeve with an air of authority, his voice booming. “Mr. Halloway, lead the way.”

He spoke with such arrogance, convinced he had everything under control. Having followed his master for over twenty years and honed his healing skills for more than a decade, he had encountered every ailment imaginable. Even cancer, the deadliest illness in the world, had a seventy percent chance of being cured by him. In his mind, not even the legendary doctors of old could outshine him

That this unknown boy dared to question his abilities was not merely an insult to him; it was a direct affront to the master who had taught him. How could he tolerate such humiliation? He would cure William and crush Leander until there was nothing left of him.

Gale led Raymond to the room where William lay, with Leander following closely behind.

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William lay motionless on the bed, his body frigid, a thin layer of frost faintly covering his face. His breathing was shallow, and his consciousness had all but faded, leaving him trapped in a world of darkness.

Ivy, standing nearby, quietly wiped away her tears, her heart heavy with concern. Dylan’s eyes were red with worry, reflecting the distress that filled the room.

When they saw Raymond enter, they hurried forward, urgency in their voices.

“Dr. John, you’ve finally arrived! Please, save my grandfather!” Ivy exclaimed, recognizing Raymond immediately from their previous encounter. Her voice trembled with emotion.

“Miss Ivy.” Upon seeing the radiant and youthful beauty before him, a flicker of desire ignited deep within Raymond’s eyes.

“Don’t worry; I’ll save Old Mr. Halloway.”

He reached out his rough hand as if to help Ivy rise, but instead, he seized the moment to stroke her hand gently.

Startled, Ivy jerked her hand away as if in shock, a flush of discomfort rising to her cheeks.

Suddenly, the rumors that had long swirled around Raymond resurfaced in her mind. Whispers echoed about his unmatched medical skills and his lecherous nature, a man constantly drawn to the allure of young women. Many had fallen victim to his wandering hands, leaving a trail of hurt and betrayal.

Gale stood nearby, witnessing the scene unfold but choosing to remain silent. The Halloway family was in a vulnerable position, and they desperately needed Raymond’s expertise. Earlier, he had made a promise to Raymond–if he successfully cured William, he would offer his daughter’s hand in marriage as payment. This pact had ultimately convinced Raymond to come to their aid.

Though Ivy was precious to Gale, the significance of William to the family far outweighed her value. Gale felt trapped, forced to agree to terms he would otherwise find unacceptable.

Raymond greedily eyed Ivy, his gaze lingering on her until an uncomfortable chill ran down her spine. Only then did he turn his attention to the bed, approaching to examine William’s condition.

He closed his eyes, assuming the demeanor of a revered master. With a practiced touch, he placed his hand on William’s wrist, feeling for a pulse. His eyes snapped open after only a few seconds, radiating confidence.

“Mr. Halloway, Old Mr. Halloway has been poisoned by cold energy.”

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Upon hearing this, Gale, Dylan, and Ivy exchanged glances, their hearts swelling with hope. In mere moments, Raymond had diagnosed the cause of William’s ailment–an impressive feat that had cluded previous doctors.

And since Raymond had identified the source of the problem, surely, he could provide a cure.

“Dr. John, please, save my father! Whatever materials you need, just say the word, and I’ll have someone gather them immediately!” Gale bowed, desperation lacing his tone.

Raymond waved his hand dismissively, his confidence unshaken. “There’s no need for such trouble. To save him, all I require is a silver needle, and his illness will be gone.”

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Leander, a challenge glimmering in his eyes. “Kid, do you remember what you said earlier?”

In that fleeting moment, Gale shifted his gaze toward Leander, a subtle wave of displeasure stirring within him. He had expected Leander to possess genuine skills, yet his hopes were dashed.

Leander seemed to be nothing more than a façade of bravado, filled with empty boasts. To make matters worse, he had even attempted to hinder Gale from bringing Raymond along, nearly jeopardizing his father’s treatment.

With a quiet resolve, Gale decided that this dinner would mark the end of any association with Leander. He would ensure that Leander was blacklisted from the Halloway family, discarding all previous notions of allying with him.

Raymond’s expression sharpened, revealing his already–formed disdain for Leander’s

insignificance. Despite the tension, Leander maintained his composure, reclining in his chair with one leg casually crossed over the other.

“Let’s see what happens once you’re finished treating him,” he remarked, his tone steady and unruffled.

Raymond sneered in response but chose to hold his tongue. He placed his medical kit at his side. Then, with a firm slap to the box, it sprang open, revealing a roll of gray cloth that he deftly unwrapped. Inside, silver needles of various lengths and thicknesses glimmered in the dim light.

With nimble fingers, he selected one, then retrieved a candle from his kit. After striking a match to ignite the wick, he uncorked a bottle of medicinal alcohol, tilting it slightly to let the liquid flow out. In a swift motion, he drew his hand back, allowing the alcohol to meet the flickering flame, and a brilliant stream of fire erupted.

With surgical precision, Raymond guided the needle through the flame before deftly piercing it into William’s chest and abdomen.

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The entire procedure unfolded in mere seconds, his movements intricate and mesmerizing to behold.

As the first needle settled into place, several seasoned doctors in the vicinity exchanged astonished glances, their expressions shifting to one of disbelief and admiration.

“I–Is that the legendary trispike needles?” one of the oldest doctors exclaimed, his hair a cascade of white that spoke of many years spent in the pursuit of healing. His eyes glimmered with fervor as though he had stumbled upon a rare treasure. His lips quivered with excitement as he spoke.

“Dr. Ross, what did you just say? What are trispike needles?” Ivy inquired, unable to suppress her curiosity.

Dr. Ross, brimming with admiration, replied with a tone of reverence, “The trispike needles are an extraordinary acupuncture technique, one of the most enigmatic methods known to mankind. No other technique can rival its prowess.”

“The Divine Farmer created this technique. It utilizes fire to control the needle, allowing it to pierce three inches into the bone. Remarkably, regardless of the ailment’s complexity, only three needles are needed for treatment.

“Legends claim if the trispike needles are executed flawlessly, they could even bring the dead back to life, regenerating flesh on the bone. I never imagined I would witness the world’s most powerful acupuncture technique today.”

As Dr. Ross‘ words echoed through the room, the Halloway family felt a surge of elation. With Raymond wielding such astonishing skill, it was destined for William’s illness to be cured.

Hearing someone recognize his trispike needles, Raymond allowed a smirk to play at the corners of his lips. He refocused his attention, placing two more needles with practiced precision, his fingers gently twisting them into place. Minutes later, he withdrew the needles, carefully rolling them back into the cloth, and rose to his feet.

“Old Mr. Halloway is fine now. Ensure that light meals are prepared for him with an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables. Do this three times a day. In a week, his vitality will be fully restored.”

Gale and the others rushed forward to assess the situation, and indeed, the frost that had once enveloped William’s body had dissipated, revealing a complexion imbued with a healthy rosiness. He looked peaceful, free from pain, and his pulse and heartbeat had returned to normal levels.

“It’s a miracle! This is truly miraculous!” they exclaimed.

Several older doctors quickly bowed to Raymond, treating him with a reverence usually reserved for deities. The illness that had baffled them all had vanished with just three needles

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from Raymond’s skilled hands. If he wasn’t a god, then what could he possibly be?

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“Thank you, Dr. John, for saving my father. Your kindness and skill will never be forgotten by the Halloway family. Please, allow me to offer my deepest bow!” Gale declared, his voice filled with respect as he prepared to grovel before Raymond.

However, Raymond raised his hand to stop him. “No need for that, Mr. Halloway. Just fulfill the condition I mentioned before, and that will suffice as payment for treating him.”

Gale froze at Raymond’s words, his face stiffening momentarily. Yet, he ultimately nodded in understanding. The Halloway family had built its reputation in Mornwick on a foundation of honor, and they could not afford to break their word.

He resolved to speak with Ivy later, planning to discuss the matter carefully.

Raymond reveled in the cascade of praise, his face glowing with pride. The very thought of marrying Ivy and sharing intimate nights with such a beautiful, pure woman lifted him to an ethereal state as if he were floating on air. Surrounded by admiration, he turned his gaze to Leander, looking down on him with palpable condescension.

“Kid, I’ve cured Old Mr. Halloway’s illness. Now, as per our bet, I expect you to crawl under my legs and roll out of the Halloway Residence!” he proclaimed, a cruel glint in his eyes. “If you dare to renege on your word, don’t blame me for being ruthless, regardless of your status!”

His tone dripped with malice, and the atmosphere around him grew cold and oppressive. Even Ivy and the others couldn’t help but shiver under the weight of his chilling aura.

Gale remained silent, acutely aware that Leander had made the bet on his terms. Now that Raymond was demanding his due, there was little he could do to intervene.

Leander, however, leaned back in his chair, his demeanor calm and untroubled. “You think you’ve cured him, huh?” he asked, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. He shook his head, gesturing toward William, who lay on the bed. “Are you confident about that?”

Raymond’s eyes narrowed as he followed Leander’s pointed finger. To his shock, William, who had just regained color in his face and whose frost had disappeared, now appeared deathly pale

once more.

The frost had returned, thicker than before, nearly transforming William into an ice sculpture.

At the sight, terror gripped the Halloway family, leaving them frozen in place. They exchanged frantic glances, disbelief etching itself into their features.

As for Raymond, who had been brimming with confidence just moments ago, his face turned ashen. Disbelief swirled in his eyes like a tempest. “How is this possible?” he muttered, struggling to comprehend the sudden reversal.