Chapter 4

The guests began to take their leave after Harrison and Esther left, fearful of becoming targets if they were seen lingering too long with the Barnes.

Soon, the entire villa fell silent.

"G-Grandpa, didn't you say Harrison was just a bona fide country bumpkin? How is he a friend and esteemed guest of Esther and her family?" Sally mumbled in disbelief, having just witnessed what seemed like a dream.

Randall, clearly frustrated, replied, "How should I know?

"We've thoroughly offended Harrison, and he's so relentless that he even broke Michael's arm! Our family is in deep trouble now that he's got Esther Thatcher backing him…

"I should have gone through with the arrangement and let Sophie marry him if I'd known this would happen."

The Barnes nodded in agreement.

"Although Sophie has a drinking problem, has gone through multiple abortions, and had a messy sexual history, she's still a good girl at heart. She's good enough that Harrison should count his blessings for marrying into a wealthy family."

Upon hearing this, Sophie snapped, "What do you mean, Grandpa? Why should I marry that country bumpkin?

"Mikey's so much better than him. I know he's the only one I want to marry!"

"Harrison's a coward hiding behind Esther when he's in danger. He only hurt Mikey because he knew she'd back him up. I despise people like him!"

Sophie wrapped her arms around Michael's, flashing a cute smile as she added, "You have friends everywhere. I'm sure you can think of a way to deal with that jerk, right?"

"Of course!" Michael, his face still badly bruised, gritted his teeth. "I'll make him pay for this!"

After all, Michael had been severely beaten in front of so many people today. It was a humiliation he wouldn't forget.

He wasn't about to go after Esther—she was still part of Zicco's richest family. Meanwhile, Harrison was a nobody and needed to be taught a lesson.

Randall's expression grew serious. "Don't act too impulsively, Sophie, Michael. Harrison has the Thatchers backing him. If we get on their bad side, we'll all be in trouble."

"Heh! They won't be able to protect him!" Michael's face hardened. "Don't worry, Mr. Barnes. I befriended a powerful member of Tiger's Fangs a few days ago, and I plan to hire them to teach Harrison a painful lesson.

"I doubt the Thatchers will dare oppose that gang."

"What?!"

Everyone's eyes widened at the mention of Tiger's Fangs.

Tiger's Fangs was the most powerful gang in the underworld, with about 100,000 men in their ranks. They were one of the few groups strong enough to rival the four richest families.

Rumors swirled that the gang's leader came from an incredibly influential background, one strong enough to shake the southside of the country. Some even said he was more powerful than the four richest families combined.

"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent!

"They're a formidable gang with skilled fighters—perfect for this, Michael!" Randall said, grinning as he patted Michael's shoulder.

"But I've heard they're ruthless in their methods. Be careful when dealing with them."

"Don't worry, Mr. Barnes. I know what I'm doing," Michael replied, his expression twisting further with hatred.

'Harrison, you'll regret laying a hand on me. Death is coming for you, sooner or later!'

-

"Achoo!"

Harrison sneezed several times as he stood outside the Barnes family's villa.

Annoyed, he wondered who might be gossiping about him behind his back.

"Are you all right, Mr. Stark?" Esther asked, her tone laced with concern.

"I'm fine. Thank you for getting me out of there, Ms. Thatcher."

Harrison admired Esther even more after witnessing how calm yet commanding she had been earlier. The image was seared into his memory.

She was exactly the type of woman he liked.

'Sigh… Why didn't Ricardo arrange for the Thatchers to owe him and have Esther marry me instead? What a waste…'

"You're welcome," Esther replied with a faint smile. "After all, we're friends, aren't we? Besides, I knew you could handle the situation yourself. My intervention wasn't necessary."

"You flatter me, Ms. Thatcher."

Esther hesitated before revealing her true intentions. "To be honest, Mr. Stark… I need your help. Please, you must save my grandfather!"

"What's wrong with him?" Harrison asked, his curiosity piqued.

"He suffered a stroke years ago, but his condition has worsened. This month alone, he's lost consciousness five times, and his organs are beginning to fail.

"Last night, his doctor had to resuscitate him three times. They've told us he has less than three days to live.

"Earlier, you claimed you could save someone even seconds from death. Were you serious?" Esther's voice trembled, her tears threatening to spill.

"Please… I'll pay you anything or do whatever you want!" Her voice cracked, and she looked utterly vulnerable, tears glistening in the light.

"You'll do whatever I want if I can save him, huh?" Harrison asked, blinking as if processing her words.

"Yes, that's right!" Esther replied, hope shining in her eyes.

"All right, then. I want you to marry me."

"Okay, it's settled then. I'll be your wife if you can— What?!"

The realization of what she'd just agreed to hit Esther like a ton of bricks. Her face flushed crimson, her embarrassment making her even more striking.

"A-Are you serious, Mr. Stark?" Esther stammered, her heart racing at his unexpected request.

As a member of the most prominent family, Esther had countless suitors. Yet, she'd never felt so flustered or self-conscious.

"Hahaha! I'm just messing with you," Harrison said, laughing, cutting through her bewilderment.

"You seem incredibly fatigued, and lack of sleep is taking a toll on you. I needed to get your adrenaline pumping a little to help you feel better. Don't you feel more energized now?"

"Y-You were treating me?" Esther asked, confused.

Harrison nodded. "Yeap, it's 'preventive treatment.' Still, you shouldn't push yourself so hard, especially since you've only recently recovered from your heart condition.

"Come on, let's go see your grandfather. I'm confident his condition isn't beyond my ability to treat."

"Aah, I see…"

Esther sighed in relief, realizing Harrison had only been joking. But a small part of her felt disappointed, leaving her in a strange state of inner turmoil.

"Hm? What's on your mind, Ms. Thatcher?" Harrison teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Wait… Are you still thinking about becoming my wife?"

"N-No, I wasn't!" Esther stammered, her cheeks flushing bright red.

Unable to meet his gaze, she turned and hurried ahead.

Meanwhile, not far away, Alfred sat in a Rolls Royce, watching in disbelief.

'Oh my… Esther, known for being as cold as ice, looks as flustered as a lovestruck schoolgirl! Harrison… You really are something else!'

-

An old man was being resuscitated by more than ten people in white gowns inside Zicco Hospital's ER.

"His heart's stopped! Get the defibrillator, quickly!"

"His consciousness is fading. Get me a dose of adrenaline!"

"Dr. Armstrong's here! Hurry, prepare his needles! Mr. Jaime may still have a chance if Dr. Armstrong uses the Sevenstar Needle Technique!"

Several doctors, each a specialist in their field, had gathered in the ER, including Stuart Potts, the medical director of Zicco Hospital.

Raphael, a member of The Hippocratic Four, had rushed over from Dracco City.

Meanwhile, the rest of the medical team prepared bags of blood, medications, and other necessary equipment. After all, the man they were trying to save was extremely prestigious. If anything happened to him, the hospital itself might face closure.

The man on the bed was Jaime Thatcher, the visionary who had built the Thatcher Group from the ground up, turning it into a multi-billion-dollar empire.

Jaime wasn't just a titan of industry—he was the most renowned businessman in Zicco.

Outside the ER, a middle-aged man with sharp, focused eyes sat in a wheelchair. His face was pale, his eyes bloodshot, but he kept his back straight, staring at the ER doors.

This man was William Thatcher, Jaime's eldest son and Esther's father.

"You haven't slept in three days, Mr. William. You should rest," urged Velma, an older woman who had served as the Thatcher family's nanny for decades. Concern laced her voice.

"Dr. Potts and the finest physicians in Zicco are with him. Dr. Armstrong is here too. Mr. Jaime will be fine," she added, trying to reassure him.

"Let me stay, Velma," William replied, his voice hoarse.

His gaze fell to his disabled legs, bitterness darkening his expression.

"I've failed as a son, letting my father endure his illnesses.

"I've failed as a father, unable to ease the burdens my daughter carries, leaving her to face the perils of the business world alone.

"I truly am a failure. All I can do now is pray for my father's recovery."

"Mr. William…" Velma's eyes filled with tears.

She had served the Thatchers for 40 years, witnessing William at his prime—proud, accomplished, and full of vitality. But an accident five years earlier had robbed him of his legs and extinguished his fighting spirit.

-

After 30 agonizing minutes, the lights above the ER dimmed, and the doctors emerged.

William wheeled himself forward, his voice trembling. "How is he, Dr. Armstrong?"

Raphael, an older man with white hair and a neatly trimmed goatee, looked despondent. "I'm sorry, Mr. William. I've done everything I can. I used the Sevenstar Needle Technique to extend Mr. Jaime's life for another half hour. Please, spend this time with him as best as you can."

"What? No…" William's body went slack, and he nearly fainted.

Velma and Stuart rushed to steady him, but William clutched Raphael's arm, his desperation raw. "Please, Dr. Armstrong! I'll give you half of my family's wealth if it helps. Just save him!"

Gasps rippled through the room at the staggering offer. The Thatchers' fortune, worth tens of billions, was no trivial matter.

Raphael, however, shook his head helplessly. "I understand your pain, Mr. William, and I have the utmost respect for Mr. Jaime. But there's truly nothing more I can do.

"His sickness has reached his bone marrow, and his internal organs have completely failed. Even a miracle doctor couldn't save him now."

Despair consumed William.

Velma wept, trying to comfort him while he called the rest of the family to bid Jaime farewell.

The doctors sighed, and one of them prepared to notify the mortician's department.

Murmurs filled the air, lamenting how even Jaime Thatcher couldn't escape the clutches of time and death.

Then, a voice echoed. "A miracle doctor may not save him, but I can!"

All eyes turned toward the source of the voice. Harrison and Esther approached the scene with purposeful strides.