The Alfredson family residence.
“You… who exactly are you? Are you trying to kill my father? This is a family matter; it has nothing to do with you!” A woman in her fifties pointed angrily at Wood Faulkner.
At that moment, Wood Faulkner stood firm, gripping a knife in both hands, blocking the path to an elderly man who had been unconscious for days.
She let out a cold snort and declared, “Zack Alfredson once saved my life and helped me when I needed it. I won’t allow just anyone to treat him. Only someone I trust has the right to do so.”
A middle-aged man with a mustache stepped forward and said, “Miss Faulkner, you know my father saved you back then! Now he’s at death’s door-you must let Master Holloway give it a try.”
The so-called Master Holloway was a bald monk.
Zack Alfredson’s condition had deteriorated beyond hope. If he wasn’t treated soon, he wouldn’t make it through the day. The Alfredson family’s prosperity for generations had been built upon Zack Alfredson’s reputation. He was a kind man-a truly great man.
But years ago, he had contracted a strange illness. At times, he couldn’t understand human speech; it sounded like muffled noises to him. Other times, he could hear peculiar conversations. When he focused on these sounds, he realized he was hearing the voices of birds and animals.
In other words, when birds chirped and animals squealed, he didn’t hear their usual sounds-he heard them talking.
At first, he thought it was nothing unusual. But gradually, his body began to weaken. At night, he was haunted by voices around him-constant chatter that grew louder the quieter his surroundings became.
He knew that people often experienced strange sounds near death. He thought his time was up. But strangely, the illness dragged on for five years, leaving his once robust body frail and feeble.
He told the hospital staff about his condition. Though they didn’t dare call him crazy, they mocked him behind his back. No one believed him.
In the past year, his condition worsened. He began muttering incoherently. One night, he disappeared from his home, only to be found hours later in a graveyard, surrounded by crows.
The Alfredson family found the situation bizarre and sent him to the most advanced medical facilities in the world. Yet, no matter where they went, no one could diagnose his illness. No medical equipment could detect the cause.
Desperate, they turned to mystics and spiritualists. Many came, but none could identify the problem. Some took one look, fled without a word, and never returned.
This time, they had called upon a wandering monk, Master Holloway. He claimed the house was shrouded in malevolent energy and insisted he could cure Zack Alfredson.
Just as he was about to begin, Wood Faulkner stormed in and stopped him. Her reason was simple: the monk had charged the Alfredson family a million dollars for his services, which she believed was a scam.
“Little girl, are you questioning my abilities?” Master Holloway asked darkly.
Wood Faulkner replied firmly, “I don’t trust you.”
“Derek,” she turned to one of Zack Alfredson’s sons, “Mr. Alfredson told me about this before. I’ve brought a doctor, someone reliable. He’ll be here in a few minutes. I guarantee he’s far more trustworthy than Master Holloway.”
Derek Alfredson hesitated for a moment, then looked at Master Holloway. “Master Holloway, should we wait ten minutes?”
“Wait? Wait for what? Father is already on the brink of death, and you want to trust this woman? Can she even be trusted? Master Holloway already said that if we don’t act now to capture the demon, Father won’t survive the night!” Derek’s wife, Seraphina, shouted in frustration.
Orion, another of Zack’s sons, glared at Wood Faulkner and snarled, “Miss Faulkner, step aside. This is a matter of life and death for our father. If you delay his treatment and make things worse, the Alfredson family will not forgive you.”
“Do you intend to make an enemy of the Alfredson family?”
Wood Faulkner’s eyes turned icy. She was about to respond when Master Holloway interrupted, “Everyone, let me say a few words.”
Hearing their revered monk speak, Orion gestured for him to continue.
Master Holloway paused for a moment before saying, “Since this young lady claims to know someone skilled, why not wait ten minutes? I’m curious to see if this so-called expert is truly capable. Besides, your father’s condition won’t worsen in just ten minutes.”
Orion and Derek exchanged glances. Derek finally nodded. “Alright. Since Master Holloway has spoken, we’ll wait.”
Seraphina, however, let out a disdainful snort and pointed at Wood Faulkner. “If you’re lying to us and our father’s condition worsens, don’t think the Alfredson family will let you off easily!”
She couldn’t stand Wood Faulkner’s confidence. To her, this woman was too beautiful-so beautiful it was infuriating. Her striking presence and commanding demeanor only fueled Seraphina’s resentment, prompting her to lash out.
Ten minutes later, Kayden arrived.
The moment she saw him, Wood Faulkner relaxed her grip on the knife and called out, “Mr. Scott.”
Kayden nodded in acknowledgment and entered Zack Alfredson’s room.
“This is the man who once helped me at the Western Frontier,” Wood Faulkner explained, pointing to the unconscious Zack.
Kayden was about to speak when a burst of laughter interrupted him.
“Hahaha! Little girl, is this the ‘doctor’ you were talking about?” It was none other than Master Holloway, clad in his robes and wearing a large string of prayer beads around his neck.
Kayden, still unfamiliar with the situation, turned to face the monk.
“Yes,” Wood Faulkner said, her tone unwavering. “This is the expert I trust. He will surely cure Mr. Alfredson.”
Derek opened his mouth to say something but hesitated, his doubts evident.
The young man standing before them, no older than twenty-five or twenty-six, was supposed to be a doctor? What could someone so young possibly do? It had to be a joke.
Orion’s frustration boiled over. “Miss Faulkner! The Alfredson family has treated you well, and this is how you repay us? Are you mocking us? Do you think we’re so gullible that you’d bring this child here to deceive us? He’s just a kid! How can he help our father?”
“Enough!” Seraphina shouted. “Now everyone can see her true intentions. She’s here to scam us! She knew we were generous and is now trying to take advantage of us by bringing this person here to extort money.”
“The Alfredson family may be kind and generous, Miss Faulkner, but is this really the right thing to do?”