Wood Faulkner let out a cold snort before reluctantly sheathing her blade.
Captain Johnson’s expression remained unchanged as he looked directly at Wood. “What a fiery little girl. Quite fierce, aren’t you?”
Zack Alfredson coughed lightly and said, “Captain Johnson, this young friend here is quite remarkable. Since you’re already here, why not let Mr. Scott take a look at you?”
Mike Johnson chuckled dismissively. “No need, Mr. Alfredson. Even if I let him examine me, he wouldn’t find anything. Just some charlatan from the streets. I can see right through him at a glance.”
The weight of his words was heavy, a clear display of Mike Johnson’s pride and arrogance.
Kayden observed Captain Johnson for a moment, then turned to Zack Alfredson. “Mr. Alfredson, we have other matters to attend to. Let’s go.”
He had no intention of wasting time here, nor did he want to treat Captain Johnson. At this moment, Kayden had no interest in the man. All he wanted was to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s Rocco family cultivators’ auction.
His business in the Western Frontier was already concluded. If not for Cyrus Nightbane’s unexpected arrival, he wouldn’t have stayed this long.
“See that?” Mike Johnson sneered. “The truth is out. I knew this brat was clueless. He only cured Mr. Alfredson by sheer luck. A young man like him-how could he possibly know how to treat illnesses?”
“Captain Johnson!” Zack Alfredson said angrily. “Are you questioning my judgment?”
Mike Johnson laughed heartily. “Not at all, Mr. Alfredson. You’ve misunderstood me. How could I ever doubt your judgment? I’m just saying this guy doesn’t look like a doctor.”
Turning towards Kayden, he added, “Alright, kid. Out of respect for Mr. Alfredson, I won’t hold this against you. If you know what’s good for you, leave now. And don’t let me catch you in the Western Frontier again.”
“Mr. Scott, let me kill this insolent fool!” Wood Faulkner’s fury erupted. She didn’t care who Mike Johnson was; even though Kayden was no longer her Commander, she wouldn’t allow anyone to insult him.
Kayden raised a hand, stopping Wood’s outburst. Calmly, he looked at Mike Johnson and said, “Captain Johnson, if you need medical treatment, why act so condescending? I suspect that by tomorrow night, you’ll be begging to find me.”
His words struck a nerve. Mike Johnson’s smile froze, his face darkening.
The truth was, he had come here to seek treatment from Kayden. But upon seeing the young man, he immediately dismissed the idea. Someone this young had to be a fraud-how could he possibly be a doctor?
“What did you just say? Beg you? I think you’re just bluffing!”
Kayden remained composed. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re suffering from hepatitis B, aren’t you?”
A direct hit. Mike Johnson did indeed have hepatitis B, a condition discovered during a medical examination two years ago.
Still, this wasn’t exactly a secret-many people, including Zack Alfredson, were aware of it. Johnson was about to refute when Kayden’s next words left him speechless.
“But that’s not your biggest issue. The real problem is your impotence. It’s completely disrupted your life, wrecked your mood, and strained your marriage. You and your wife haven’t shared marital intimacy for three years now, have you?”
These words cut like a dagger straight into Mike Johnson’s heart.
The earlier comment about hepatitis could have been dismissed as common knowledge, perhaps something Zack Alfredson had shared. But this-this was a secret only Mike Johnson and his wife knew.
His mind reeled. How could Kayden have known? Did his wife tell him? Was there some kind of affair?
No, that was impossible. His wife wouldn’t betray him, let alone with someone like Kayden, who wasn’t even part of their circle.
Could Kayden have really deduced this just by looking at him?
“Captain Johnson, am I wrong?” Kayden’s voice rang out again, laced with a hint of mockery.
This time, Mike Johnson’s arrogance evaporated, replaced by sheer astonishment.
The Alfredson family members present were equally stunned. Kayden had struck at Captain Johnson’s most vulnerable truth.
Impotence.
For a man like Mike Johnson, who exuded masculinity and held considerable power and respect, this was a devastating blow.
Though it wasn’t life-threatening, the condition had made him feel less than human. It was a torment that ate away at his pride and identity.
Behind him, one of the Alfredson family’s younger members laughed, shouting, “Impotent! Captain Johnson is impotent!”
Some of the women from the Alfredson family lowered their heads, exchanging knowing glances.
“So, Captain Johnson’s wife is really beautiful, huh? If he’s been like this for so long, how could she even bear it?”
“Who could endure that? Honestly, wouldn’t she just cheat on him? Hahaha!”
“Shh, keep your voice down! What if Captain Johnson hears you?”
“…”
For Mike Johnson, the humiliation was unbearable.
He swallowed hard, his throat dry. “You…”
Before he could finish, Kayden interrupted, “Your impotence is no big deal for me. I could cure it easily and restore you to full health. But I won’t.”
“Mr. Alfredson, we’ll take our leave.”
With that, Kayden turned and left, Wood Faulkner following close behind.
Mike Johnson stood frozen, his mouth agape, on the verge of tears.
“Doctor! Doctor!”
He shouted after Kayden, running to catch up.