“Nonsense! Absolute nonsense! You’re shameless! Do you even know who my grandfather is? Claiming he stole your invention-what a bold-faced lie!” Nick erupted in anger, his face red with fury. How dare this man slander his grandfather?
Who was his grandfather? None other than Greg Versoonder, the towering figure of the medical world.
Kayden, however, remained calm. A single troublemaker couldn’t stir up much of a storm.
He asked quietly, “Oh, really? Then I’d like to know-when did my invention become your family’s property? Did Greg Versoonder himself tell you that?”
His gaze darkened as he finished speaking.
Nick hesitated, his eyes darting nervously. He didn’t know how to answer. Truthfully, his grandfather had never explicitly said the invention was theirs. Greg had only described it as an extraordinary acupuncture technique and practiced it diligently every day.
Nick, curious by nature and gifted in such techniques, had secretly observed and imitated his grandfather’s practice. Before long, he had mastered it. The method itself was not overly complex-two acupuncture points, one deep and one shallow, one above and one below. It was straightforward once you understood it.
Seeing how seriously his grandfather treated the technique, Nick naturally assumed it was a family heirloom.
Kayden’s question hung in the air, unanswered. Sensing Nick’s hesitation, Christina, standing nearby, pressed him further. “Nick, he’s asking you-is this acupuncture technique truly your family’s?”
Nick swallowed hard but avoided answering directly. Instead, he tried to change the subject. “You’re being incredibly rude! How dare you disrespect my grandfather like this!”
Christina, quick to join his side, chimed in indignantly. “Exactly! You have no manners at all. First, you demanded I kneel, and now you’re using a stolen acupuncture technique to save lives! Shameless!”
Kayden glanced at the two of them, shaking his head in exasperation.
With a scornful laugh, he replied, “Then go ask Greg Versoonder himself if he deserves my respect.”
The implication in his words-that Greg Versoonder wasn’t even worthy of comparison-infuriated Nick.
“You arrogant fool! Do you think stealing our family’s acupuncture technique gives you the right to act high and mighty here? You keep throwing around my grandfather’s name as if he’s beneath you. I’ll give you ten seconds to admit where you stole the technique, or I’ll make you regret it.”
Nick rolled up his sleeves, glaring at Kayden with hostility.
To Nick, his grandfather was a master of the medical field, while Kayden, being so young, could only be a jack-of-all-trades dabbling in miscellaneous skills. He couldn’t accept that someone like Kayden might surpass him, even if Kayden had just saved his life.
“Enough!”
A thunderous voice suddenly roared from the doorway.
All eyes turned as an elderly man with white hair and a white beard entered the room, dressed in a pristine white robe. His presence was commanding, exuding an aura of expertise that inspired awe at first glance. Following closely behind him was Diomidis Stevens.
It was Greg Versoonder himself.
“Grandfather! You’re finally here!” Nick called out eagerly, relief and excitement evident in his voice.
Turning to Kayden, Nick sneered, “Now you’re in trouble! Your little charade is over. Just wait-my grandfather will expose you for the fraud you are!”
Nick pointed at Kayden, his tone triumphant. “Grandfather, this man used your Dual-Sided Mystic Needle! I questioned him about stealing our family’s acupuncture technique, but he won’t admit it. You have to teach him a lesson!”
Christina, not wanting to miss the opportunity, ran up to the two elders. “Master, Mr. Versoonder, this man really did steal your family’s Dual-Sided Mystic Needle! He even used it to save Nick just now.”
She pouted as she continued, “Master, how could you take on a disciple like him? He forced me to kneel earlier! He said he wouldn’t save Nick unless I knelt. He’s opportunistic, dishonest, and clearly not a good person!”
Greg’s expression grew darker with every word. Without hesitation, he strode toward Nick and Kayden.
Nick, seeing his grandfather approach, grew increasingly smug. “You’re finished! Kneel and apologize now while you still can! Don’t wait until it’s too late to regret it.”
“Grandfather, it’s him! He’s the one who stole our Dual-Sided Mystic Needle!” Nick shouted, pointing at Kayden.
“Slap!”
Before Nick could say another word, Greg raised his hand and struck him across the face.
The slap echoed through the room, leaving Nick stunned. His head buzzed, and he barely had time to react before Greg delivered a second, equally forceful slap.
“On your knees!” Greg roared, his furious eyes blazing as if he were ready to tear Nick apart.
Nick hesitated for a moment but quickly dropped to his knees, his confidence shattered.
As soon as Nick knelt, Greg turned to Kayden. Bowing deeply at a full ninety degrees, he clasped his hands in front of him and spoke with utmost respect. “My unworthy grandson has spoken out of turn and offended you. I must be growing senile to have failed so miserably in teaching him. Please, show mercy and spare his life.”
Nick’s mind went blank. The buzzing in his head grew louder.
What was happening?
Why was his grandfather-this legend of the medical world-bowing to Kayden?
Who was this man?
Could he be more powerful than Greg Versoonder himself?
Nick couldn’t comprehend it. It felt like a dream-an impossible, absurd dream. His once-proud grandfather, now humbly bowing before a man no older than twenty-five or twenty-six, a man the same age as Nick himself.
Christina, too, was utterly bewildered. She stared at Kayden, her mind racing.
Who was this young man? What had he done to make Greg Versoonder so afraid?
She blinked, her thoughts a jumbled mess.
“Christina, I never said Mr. Scott was my disciple,” Diomidis Stevens said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. His tone was calm but carried a weight of significance.
Mr. Scott.
The name echoed in her mind.
Just who was this man?