Grand Master!
The moment the words left his lips, the air seemed to freeze. Everyone was stunned as their minds struggled to process what they had just heard. For a fleeting moment, they doubted their own ears.
Allen Price, Colin Bolton, Amelia Bolton, and the individuals standing behind Dr. Adler all stared at him. Their faces were etched with shock and disbelief.
Dr. Adler’s posture spoke louder than words. He was bent in a deep ninety-degree bow which was a gesture heavy with meaning. This didn’t just show his casual respect but reverence!
In Seclela, a nation with thousands of years of history steeped in tradition, such formalities were not taken lightly. The act of bowing with clasped hands was a salute reserved for those deserving of unparalleled honor. Scholars of old would bow this way to literary sages; warriors would bend to recognize a mightier force!
Whether in ancient times or the modern day, such a gesture carried the same weight and expressed profound, unwavering respect. And now, Dr. Adler stood before the room, paying this rare tribute.
The younger onlookers might feel bewildered. They might not understand the meaning behind this posture. They merely felt somewhat surprised.
But Colin wasn’t so naive. Years spent navigating the political world had sharpened his ability to read gestures and decipher unspoken messages. He knew exactly what this meant!
For someone as senior as Dr. Adler, it’s rare to see him offer such a respectful gesture. But there was no doubt about it that the place his bow was aimed at was exactly where Kayden stood!
And Grand Master?
Colin’s first reaction was disbelief. How could Dr. Adler call a young man in his mid-twenties Grand Master? It was inconceivable. Such an honor had to belong to someone of exceptional talent. Thus, Colin guessed Dr. Adler was not bowing to that young man but the elderly woman lying quietly on the bed.
Maybe she actually had a wide knowledge of medicine. Maybe she’s a hidden master of medical theory and the master of Dr. Adler’s own master.
This thought dropped like a bombshell in Colin’s mind. But then, Allen’s incredulous voice pierced the charged atmosphere and interrupted his thought. “Dr. Adler, what are you doing? Could this be some kind of mistake?”
Dr. Adler’s expression hardened slightly, and the hint of a frown played at his features.
“A mistake? How could I possibly make a mistake?” he thought.
Though the young man standing before him was no more than twenty-five or twenty-six, he was indeed his Grand Master. It was an indisputable fact. After all, for Dr. Adler, his own esteemed master was none other than Professor Flores! Professor Flores had imparted countless medical theories and insights to him.
In his eyes, Professor Flores was a true prodigy in the medical field, as well as a legendary figure who stood at the pinnacle of Seclela’s medical world.
But not long ago, a stunning story from a lecture in Vernon rippled through the medical community. Professor Flores had referred to someone as his master! That was Professor Flores whose talent could elevate him to godlike status! Who would be qualified to be his master? Much to Dr. Adler’s disbelief, it turned out to be a young man, barely twenty-five or twenty-six! When Dr. Adler first heard the news, he found it utterly inconceivable.
Driven by equal parts disbelief and curiosity, Dr. Adler immediately called his master, Professor Flores, seeking the truth. Patiently, Professor Flores explained how Kayden had cracked a complex formula that had stumped everyone. Professor Flores even sent Dr. Adler a video of the moment. Besides, Professor Flores casually added that he had already accepted Kayden as his master. “If you ever meet him,” he told Dr. Adler, “You should address him as Grand Master.”
With his doubts lingering, Dr. Adler opened the video. He still refused to accept a young man as his Grand Master.
But the moment he watched, he was completely won over!
He replayed the forty-minute lecture again and again. He watched it over thirty times in total!
That lecture wasn’t just captivating but breathtaking. The way Kayden dissected intricate medical theories with masterful precision, the sheer depth of his knowledge, and the commanding charisma in his voice, were nothing short of extraordinary. A mind like this was a treasure not only for medicine but for education itself.
Even through a screen, Kayden’s charm was undeniable. His every word carried a magnetic pull, leaving Dr. Adler deeply shaken.
Though only at the age of twenty-five or twenty-six, Kayden’s knowledge was vast, like an ocean too deep to fathom. Age no longer mattered; what stood out was his unparalleled mastery and wisdom.
And so, when Dr. Adler finally stood before Kayden in person, how could he not bow his head and call him Grand Master?
Medicine recognizes no boundaries of age, only the reach of talent and achievement. And as Professor Flores’s student, Dr. Adler had more or less been influenced by his master’s reverence for Kayden.
“You don’t understand anything. Shut your mouth!” Dr. Adler roared. His anger was directed squarely at Allen.
“Grand Master,” Dr. Adler said reverently and introduced himself to Kayden, “I am one of Professor Flores’ students. I’ve studied your video endlessly. Your lecture and your insights into traditional medicine are nothing short of revolutionary. Since I first watched it, my admiration for you has surged like unending rivers, as boundless as the sunlight that fills the sky. You are the ideal we all strive toward and the shining beacon I will dedicate my life to following.”
Everyone harbored doubts that Dr. Adler might have mistaken his target earlier, but those doubts were now thoroughly laid to rest.
Kayden stood quietly, staring at Dr. Adler, as though nothing about the situation could stir him. Dr. Adler was a student of Professor Flores, and Professor Flores had addressed Kayden as a master. By that logic, it was perfectly reasonable for Dr. Adler to call him Grand Master.
But such formalities didn’t matter to Kayden. They were mere trifles, and he had no interest in wasting more time on this farce.
Lifting his hand with a casual authority, Kayden pointed toward Allen, who stood dumbfounded beside Dr. Adler. “Alright,” Kayden said coldly, “let’s start by firing him. A doctor without professional ethics is not only a disgrace to this profession but an insult to your entire hospital.”
Allen’s body jolted as if struck by an icy wind. He slowly raised his head to look at Kayden in the eye. His disbelief was evident on his face.
“Fire me? Who the hell does this guy think he is? What gave him such authority? Does he actually think he holds enough power to make Dr. Adler comply?” Allen thought.
Like Colin, Allen didn’t see anything special about Kayden. Judging people by appearances was a bad habit he had cultivated over the years.
Allen forced a smirk, trying to mask his mounting panic with mockery. With one hand pointing at himself, he sneered, “And who exactly do you think you are? You think that just because you said so, Dr. Adler will fire me? Aren’t you overestimating yourself a bit?”
At those words, Dr. Adler’s face darkened as a storm gathered in his expression. His icy voice cut through the air. “Allen, did I ask you to speak? Didn’t I just tell you to shut your mouth?”
Allen froze. His confidence faltered under the weight of Dr. Adler’s glare. “Dr. Adler, but this man-”
“Allen!” Dr. Adler’s voice thundered, and his tone turned sharper. His piercing glare silenced Allen on the spot. Facing that ferocious stare, Allen’s bravado collapsed. He swallowed hard, his throat dry. He obediently clamped his mouth shut.
By now, Dr. Adler had pieced everything together. Allen was nothing but a shameless opportunist and a man who knew how to curry favor with power. But Allen had evidently crossed the wrong line. His arrogance must have offended Kayden.
Like his master Professor Flores, Dr. Adler only admired true ability.
Kayden was the kind of powerhouse whose strength spoke louder than words. Men like him didn’t just have talent-they had reach. His connections ran deep and wide, making him a formidable figure in any circle.
The fact that Professor Flores addressed him as a master was proof enough of his exceptional abilities. He had abilities that couldn’t be underestimated.
After a moment of deliberation, Dr. Adler spoke hesitantly. A trace of unease flickered across his face. “Grand Master, may I ask, what exactly has Allen done? The hospital doesn’t dismiss staff without cause, especially someone who has risen to the rank of department director.”
It wasn’t that Dr. Adler didn’t have the authority to fire someone, but doing so required a solid reason. Dismissing a senior like Allen wasn’t a decision that could be made lightly.
Kayden offered a faint nod. He also didn’t want to make things difficult for Dr. Adler, and he explained in an even tone, “Allen Price failed to treat patients with equal respect. He disdains their families and has blatantly disregarded medical ethics. A doctor who’s abandoned his ethics is unworthy of his role. Frankly, I’m at a loss as to how he even managed to secure the title of director!”
As the final word left his lips, Kayden clasped his hands behind his back and began pacing slowly. His voice echoed with conviction as he continued, “Do you know what a doctor’s true duty is? A doctor must never be arrogant or complacent. Their mission is to dedicate themselves wholly to serving their patients. But him… what has he turned himself into?!”
“He thinks he’s a savior, holding the lives of his patients in the palm of his hand. He takes himself as the grim reaper, deciding the patients’ fate. He’s even gone so far as to threaten patients and humiliate their families, flaunting his authority to assert dominance. With such an abysmal character, he absolutely has no right to call himself a doctor!”
Every word Kayden spoke was like a sword thrust, piercing straight to the heart of the matter.