“Dr. Mond, we haven’t yet held your hospital’s nurse, Anderson, responsible for Lynn’s case. If Dr. Morse doesn’t save my daughter today, I won’t let you off the hook!” Windy had lost her patience, directing her anger towards Dr. Mond.
Dr. Mond became flustered and quickly waved his hands, saying, “Mrs. Hansom, I deeply regret Lynn’s situation. I’ve personally witnessed Leo revive a detective who had already died. That’s why I brought him here…”
“Enough!” Windy interrupted him, clearly not interested in hearing excuses. “Right now, I’m disappointed in you and your hospital. I only trust Dr. Morse. Get out, all of you!”
“Mr. Hansom, trust me, this Dr. Morse, from what I saw in his needling technique earlier, he’s a charlatan!” Leo looked at Darren, sounding sure of himself.
Darren’s face turned icy. “Do you think I’m blind? My daughter’s vital signs improved significantly after Dr. Morse’s eight needles. Could it be the instruments malfunctioned!?”
“Dr. Mond, I’ll say it again: please escort him out,” Darren demanded sternly.
Dr. Mond reluctantly gave Leo a quick, apologetic.
Leo didn’t move; instead, he locked eyes with Darren and Windy, saying loudly, “If you want me to leave, fine. But before I go, there’s something I must say.”
“What do you want to say? Spit it out!” Windy was clearly losing patience.
“Dr. Morse did not use the ‘Nine Lifesaving Needles’; he used the ‘Nine Lifes-Returning Needles.’ Though the names sound similar, their effects are vastly different. Once the ‘Nine Lifes-Returning Needles’ are administered, Miss Hansom may indeed wake up, but after half an hour, she will become a vegetable. By ‘Nine Lifes-Returning Needles,’ I mean they draw upon the body’s vitality in a manner similar to drinking poison to quench one’s thirst. Once vitality is depleted, the body’s organs will fail completely. Even if the person miraculously survives, they will become a motionless, unconscious vegetable.”
Leo’s words left Darren and Windy in shock. Dr. Morse looked aghast.
“Actually, Dr. Morse can’t save Miss Hansom at all. I suspect he’s doing this solely for your money,” Leo continued. “When Miss Hansom regains consciousness, Dr. Mond will likely rush her into surgery. If she turns into a vegetable during surgery, Dr. Morse can easily shift all the blame onto Dr. Mond. It’s a perfect scheme.”
Dr. Mond drew in a sharp breath. If Leo’s accusations were true, not only would she lose her position as the head physician, but Darren would likely take legal action against her as well.
“Nonsense! You’re making baseless accusations!” Dr. Morse angrily pointed at Leo.
Leo gave Dr. Morse a disdainful look and continued, “Mr. Hansom, if you don’t believe me, you can let Dr. Morse continue with the ninth needle, and you’ll see if what I said is true. I’ve said my piece. Goodbye.”
Leo then turned and left the room.
Dr. Morse was trembling with fear after Leo exposed his conspiracy. He kept repeating, “Defamation, this is defamation! I’ll sue him for slander!”
After Leo and Dr. Mond left, Windy looked at Dr. Morse and said, “Dr. Morse, I don’t believe that young man’s words. I trust only you.”
Darren, trying to remain calm, considered for a moment and then asked, “Dr. Morse, can you truly save my daughter without any side effects?” He was referring to the possibility of her becoming a vegetable.
Dr. Morse shook his head firmly. “Absolutely not. That boy was just spouting nonsense. I’m administering the ‘Nine Lifesaving Needles,’ not that absurd ‘Nine Lifes-Returning Needles.'”
Although Darren and Windy were relieved to hear this, Leo’s accusations had shaken them deeply.
“Enough of this. I’m not in the mood right now. Please leave so I can administer the final needle with full concentration,” Dr. Morse said.
Darren and Windy exchanged puzzled glances. Why did he want them to leave now? They hadn’t been asked to step out during the previous needleings.
Despite their confusion, they reluctantly followed Dr. Morse’s request and left the room.
Dr. Morse quickly closed the door behind them.
Darren couldn’t help but steal a glance at the small window in the door. He saw Dr. Morse opening the window and, with his medical bag, clambering out.
“You bastard!” Darren exclaimed, first in shock and then anger. He pushed the door open and rushed towards the window.
The room was on the second floor, about three to four meters above the grassy lawn below. Dr. Morse had already touched down and was dashing away with his medical bag.
Darren’s wife, Windy, had also witnessed the escape.
Inside the room, a deathly silence fell.
Meanwhile, in the hospital corridor, Dr. Mond was apologizing to Leo.
“Dr. Bloomer, I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have asked you to come here,” she said with a guilty expression.
Leo shrugged indifferently. “It’s fine. That couple will be back to me soon.”
Concern crossed Dr. Mond’s face. “So, Dr. Morse is really a fraud? And is it true that ‘Nine Lifes-Returning Needles’ can drain someone’s life force?”
“That’s right,” Leo confirmed.
Dr. Mond grew anxious. “What if Dr. Morse administers the ninth needle? Isn’t Nana in danger? You should have stopped him.”
Leo chuckled. “They kicked me out; how could I stop him? Don’t worry; after what I said, Dr. Morse won’t dare to administer the ninth needle. His only choice is to run.”
Leo’s words were barely out when Darren and Windy rushed back.
“Dr. Bloomer, you were right. Dr. Morse is indeed a fraud. Please return and treat my daughter,” Darren ordered, his tone more like a command than a request.
Leo furrowed his brow and replied, “I don’t have time.”
Windy’s face turned cold, and she said sternly, “While Dr. Mond was chatting with you here, you have time. My daughter’s life is at stake, and you are the one who treated her with acupuncture after the accident. You must take responsibility.”
Darren and Windy’s attitudes made Dr. Mond uncomfortable. Did they believe Leo was just an unknown person with some knowledge of acupuncture? Were they treating him like a servant to be ordered around?
“I can’t treat your daughter’s condition. You should find another doctor,” Leo retorted, clearly indifferent.