As Alex and Josephine crossed the threshold of the Kane estate, he spotted a semi–circle of white coats aristocracy clustered like ravens in the marbled fover.
“You’re finally here, young man! Come in, quickly!” Lidia cried, her smile nearly swallowing her face
A tipple of unease crawled down Alex’s spine before he forced it away.
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“You claimed you could cure my daughter,” Jericho said, his baritone iron–hard “If you can’t, admit it now.”
“I stand by my word,” Alex answered, a calm smile cutting across his face. “But the Heaven Root is my price yes or no?” Jericho possessed the Heaven Root, a relictare herb.
Fortune and patience had handed him a single piece, and only recently had it ripened enough to be swallowed.
He guarded it for Bella’s future years, because every powerful family in the province would claw for it if they smelled the chance. “Fine,” Jericho said, frost edging each syllable. “Heal her, and the leaven Root is yours. Fail, and God help you.”
“You’ll have your answer soon.”
Without another word, Alex stepped to Bella’s bedside and took her pulse.
She slept soundly, her color already improving under the miracle pill’s haze.
To erase the rare defect chewing at her heart, Alex would have to needle open buried meridians, letting energy flush the organ clean and stronger than nature intended; tiny vessels still lay stubbornly blocked.
With his inner force he could burn those channels clear and set the rhythm free. “Well?” Jericho demanded, suspicion coiling in his eyes. “Can you do it?”
“Challenging,” Alex admitted with a nod, “but within my reach.”
“Then try–but if my daughter suffers, you better…” Jericho growled.
“Relax,” Alex said, rolling up his sleeves. “I didn’t come to watch her die.”
He drew his first needle, but a thunderous shout cracked across the hall.
“Stop!”
“Hands off that girl!” the voice boomed.
“Dr. Joane?” someone gasped, and the room exploded with chatter.
The assembled physicians practically melted into gushing fanboys, their excitement punching through the mansion roof.
For standing there was the legendary healer herself–Dr. Joane Fontaine.
In global medicine her name was law; beside her, the other experts shrank to interns.
Youth and startling beauty only sharpened her legend.
Jericho’s jaw dropped, then curved into delight. “Dr. Joane!”
“Please–Bella needs you,” he pleaded, guiding her toward the bed.
“Mr. Kane, I thought you hired me to heal her. Care to explain?” Alex asked, his brow darkening.
“I value your effort, son,” Jericho said, “but with Dr. Joane present, I won’t gamble my child’s life. You’re dismissed.”
1/3
Chapter 240
“You samimoned me, now you shove me out?” Alex’s tone turned lacial. “That’s disgraceful.” Owen sneered. “Disgrace is thinking you’re in Dr. Joane’s league)
“My daughter, my choice,” Jericho said flatly. “And I choose Dr. Joane ”
Truthfully, desperation alone had driven him to Alex in the first place.
“Ene–hire whoever you like,” Alex replied. “But what of the Heaven Root you promised?”
“Promised for what?” Jericho snapped. “You’ve done nothing. Earn it first.”
Alex’s eyes narrowed. “So your word means nothing?”
Patience was his habit, but Jericho’s ingratitude scraped his nerves raw.
“Enough theatrics,” Jericho barked. “If it’s money you crave. leaves more of those pills; I’m paying top price.”
At the signal, a guard lugged in suitcases fat with cash.
“Take it,” Jericho said. “Pill for pay–we’re even.‘
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guards, a million dollars for this pill peddler. Make sure he
“You heard the man,” Scarlet added, arrogance dripping. “Grab the loot and crawl out.”
Alex let out a cold, mirthless laugh.
“Clever move, Mr. Kane. Pity you’re betting on the wrong miracle worker.”
The room erupted into angry voices.
“Watch your mouth! Dr. Joane has never failed!” someone barked. “People call her an angel!”
“If she can’t cure Bella, what hope have you?” another doctor scoffed.
“How dare this nobody question her!” came a third.
The ring of doctors closed in, spitting scorn.
Joane’s eyes sliced across Alex. “Where did you study, boy? On what planet does arrogance pass for skill?”
Respect was her birthright; no rookie had ever doubted her and lived it down. “Head too big for your shoulders, huh?” Scarlet taunted. “Know your place.” Jericho pointed toward the door. “Leave before you make matters worse.” Josephine squeezed Alex’s hand. “They’re blind, Alex. Let’s just go.”
Alex sighed. “Your daughter teeters on a razor’s edge, Mr. Kane. Miss this window and she may never climb back. Remember that.”
He shoved the bribe aside, turned on his heel, and walked out with Josephine.
They had barely reached the courtyard when Lidia hurried after them.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “If Bella pulls through, I’ll push Jericho to honor the Heaven Root. Please, don’t leave the city–we might still need you.”
Alex studied her. “Can you guarantee I’ll receive it?”
“I’ll fight my husband if I must,” Lidia vowed.
Alex exhaled. “Then I’ll wait.”
Chapter 249
She led him to a guest suite “Rest here, ask the staff for anything
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