Chapter 2

"Twice?" Esther repeated in confusion.

"The first time was when I saved you from those thugs.

"The second time was when you drank too much and were drugged at the same time. Because of this combination, your heart condition flared up, causing your blood vessels to constrict, which explains the difficulty you had breathing at the time.

"You would've been dead in five minutes if I hadn't saved you back there."

Esther widened her eyes, shocked that Harrison knew about her heart condition, and in such detail.

"Then am I…"

Harrison smiled. "Oh! Don't worry, I've treated your heart condition while I was at it. You're fully cured now."

Esther was even more shocked and stood up. "What? I'm fully cured?!

"I've been to the best hospitals specializing in heart diseases, including Dr. Armstrong of 'The Hippocratic Four.' They all said my heart condition was incurable and that they could only give me medications to relieve my symptoms.

"But… you've managed to cure me?"

Raphael Armstrong was a legendary figure in Zicco. He was famous for his healing techniques, especially those involving needles.

Esther tried to feel her body. As expected, she could clearly sense that she was healed. "You weren't kidding. I feel much better."

"If that's the case, I can only say the doctors you've seen are much less competent than I am.

"I can not only cure conditions like yours as if it's child's play, but I can also confidently say I can save anyone who's seconds away from meeting their maker," Harrison boasted.

Esther chuckled. "Wow, wouldn't that make you a god?"

Harrison was completely enchanted by her smile. 'She's a lot more elegant when she's awake. She has this air of pride about her that makes her seem a little distant, but still a gorgeous beauty nonetheless.

'She's the complete opposite of the passionate and desperate woman from yesterday…

'I'm sure she's impressive while she's working and irresistible at night…'

Esther blushed as she sensed what was on Harrison's mind and quickly changed the subject.

She extended her hand and said, "In any case, I'm really grateful to you for saving my life. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Esther Thatcher, a local in this city."

Harrison extended his hand. "Harrison. Harrison Stark."

"Mr. Stark, do feel free to come to me for help should you ever run into a problem here in Zicco. I'm sure our family will be able to resolve it for you," Esther said kindly.

"Hahaha! Thank you for the offer, Ms. Thatcher, but I won't be staying in Zicco for long."

They exchanged contact details after shaking hands, and Harrison added, "I suppose it's the universe's will that you're the first friend I've made here in Zicco. Feel free to look for the Barnes family if you ever need my help.

"See you."

Harrison bade farewell and left without looking back.

Esther, still dazed by his mesmerizing character, looked at Harrison's contact details and mumbled, "Harrison Stark… He's such a mysterious man."

Just then, Esther's cell phone rang.

It was Alfred, her family butler. "Finally! Ms. Thatcher, your grandfather's condition has taken a turn for the worse!

"The doctors had to resuscitate him three times last night, and now they're saying he has less than three days left to live…"

"What?!"

Esther stumbled and almost fell, but she forced herself to stand strong. "Has Dr. Stuart said there's nothing else he can do? If that's the case, we'll transfer Grandpa to another hospital, overseas even. We'll find the best medical equipment there is—"

"It's no use, Ms. Thatcher. Dr. Stuart says your grandfather doesn't stand a chance unless a miracle doctor like The Hippocratic Four shows up to help him. But they're always moving around."

'The Hippocratic Four… A miracle doctor… Harrison! He said he can save someone even seconds away from meeting their maker!'

Esther's eyes twinkled as she looked at Harrison's contact details.

Grabbing onto the last hope, she said, "I need you to come with me tomorrow, Alfred. We're going to visit the Barnes to pick someone up. He's the only one who can save Grandpa!

"I hope you'll be able to help us, Harrison Stark…"

-

Harrison arrived at the Barnes family's villa the next day, having just saved Esther.

He was about to get married, thanks to an arrangement made by his mentor.

Coincidentally, that same day was Randall Barnes' 70th birthday. The villa was beautifully decorated, and many guests were present.

Shortly after his arrival, the butler escorted Harrison to the main lobby by the butler, who had briefly introduced him.

Dressed like a commoner, Harrison stood out among the crowd, most of whom were clad in branded attire.

The guests whispered among themselves, commenting on how out of place he appeared. That was when Randall entered.

Randall, wearing a bright red coat, approached.

After confirming Harrison's identity with the butler, he turned to Harrison and asked, "Are you really Mr. Ricardo's apprentice?"

"In the flesh," Harrison replied.

"Haha! It's an honor to meet you. Please, enjoy the party…" Randall said with a smile.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Harrison got straight to the point. "Thank you for your warm hospitality, Mr. Randall. However, I've come today to honor my mentor's marriage arrangement and ask for your eldest granddaughter's hand in marriage."

Harrison produced a piece of yellowed paper and handed it over to Randall.

'A marriage arrangement?!'

The Barnes erupted in outrage at this news.

"What?! You want to become my son-in-law? This is absurd! I'll never agree to this marriage!" shouted Arthur Barnes, Randall's son and the current head of the family.

Gloria Kutcher, Arthur's wife, began to tear up.

"Have you lost your mind, Father? How could you do this to Sophie? Oh, my poor girl…" she cried.

Sophie's sister, Sally Barnes, sneered from across the room. "Grandpa, this poor fool could never be worthy of Sophie! You there! Stop trying to take advantage of my family's wealth and get out of here!"

The Barnes might be one of the third-class affluent families, but they were still worth hundreds of millions of dollars and were well aware of how many people coveted their fortune. They weren't about to let someone who appeared as poor as Harrison marry into their family.

Harrison, however, frowned in frustration.

Although he was there to honor Ricardo's arrangement and had no intention of causing a scene, he despised people who looked down on others simply because of their wealth.

"Quiet, you disgraceful children!" Randall barked just as Harrison was about to speak.

The room fell silent.

Randall looked down at the paper in his hand, visibly perplexed.

Eighteen years ago, Randall had been gravely ill and on the brink of death. Fortunately, he had met Ricardo, who had saved his life. In gratitude, Randall had impulsively agreed to let Ricardo's apprentice marry his granddaughter.

However, he had never expected Harrison to actually show up to fulfill the arrangement.

Now, Randall regretted his hasty decision, but he feared that annulling the marriage would enrage Ricardo.

More importantly, he knew that no one in Zicco could withstand Ricardo's wrath, given the latter's formidable capabilities.

Faced with two undesirable options, Randall finally said, "Marriage is a serious matter, my boy. Why don't you wait for Sophie to return home, and we can discuss this further?"

"Sure," Harrison replied after a brief pause.

He understood the gravity of the situation and wanted to meet the eldest granddaughter of the Barnes to assess her character.

Just then, a young woman, heavily draped in branded clothing, entered the party, exuding an air of arrogance.

She had her arm around a young man dressed in a fine suit. Their closeness made it clear they were a couple.

The woman was Sophie Barnes, Randall's eldest granddaughter. The man beside her was the Kraster heir, Michael.

The Krasters ranked top among the second-class affluent families in Zicco, with billions in assets. Though they were far behind the richest family in Zicco, they were still much wealthier than the Barnes.

In fact, Randall had been encouraging Sophie to seduce Michael in hopes of elevating the Barnes' status.

Everything had been going smoothly until Harrison's arrival.

Sophie sneered at Harrison, quickly distancing herself from him. "Who's this country bumpkin, Grandpa? Why did the service staff let someone so poor into our party? You there! Get out of here, you stink!"

"Don't worry, babe. I'll protect you." Michael wrapped his arm around Sophie's waist and threw a few more insults. "What are you all waiting for? Get this filth out of here now! He's scaring my lovely partner!"

Randall interjected, attempting to calm the situation, "Sophie! Perfect timing. Let me introduce you to—"

"No need, Mr. Barnes. I'm calling off the arrangement."

Harrison glanced briefly at Sophie before tearing the yellowed paper in his hands without hesitation. "I've got no interest in getting involved with a skank."

He immediately recognized that Michael wasn't the only man Sophie had been intimate with. In fact, it was clear she was no longer a virgin and had slept with multiple men.

Naturally, Harrison had no intention of involving himself with someone like her, but the revelation left the Barnes in shock.

"You're calling off the marriage? Wait… A skank?"

As realization dawned on Sophie, her face turned bright red. She gritted her teeth and spat, "You bastard! Who are you calling a skank?!"

"But you are, aren't you? Putting aside your messy sexual relationships, you've had at least five abortions, and that's caused you multiple health issues. I'd say even a prostitute has better health than you do."

Harrison's words were blunt, unflinching in their cruelty.

'Damn you, Ricardo… Why did you have to get people like them indebted to you?

'I would've hit the jackpot if not for my medical skills. Like hell I'd let myself be with someone like her!'

Harrison refused to waste any more time and started to walk away.

Meanwhile, the guests at the party began whispering, speculating about Sophie's sex life.

Sophie, unable to swallow the shame Harrison had heaped upon her—even if it was true—stomped her foot in anger.

"He's lying, Mikey! None of that's true! I want you to tear his mouth apart!"

Michael's face twisted with rage. "Don't worry, babe. Watch me bring him down on his knees with my black belt in Taekwondo. I'll make sure he apologizes for everything he said!"

Harrison's words openly declared that the woman Michael was with was a skank. In other words, Harrison had insulted Michael by implying that the great Kraster heir was being cheated on.

No sane man could tolerate such a blow to his pride!

"Hold it right there, you piece of shit! I told you I'm going to make you kneel, didn't I?" With that, Michael charged toward Harrison, launching a surprise attack.

Sophie's eyes sparkled as she cheered him on. "Get him, Mikey!"

Harrison didn't even turn around. In one swift motion, he caught Michael's arm and broke it with a sharp crack.

"Argh!" Michael howled in pain, tears streaming down his face as he squealed like a pig.