Chapter 3

Winona furrowed her brows, her tone tinged with annoyance as she looked at Edward and said, "Edward, how could you say something so ridiculous? If you upset Mr. Cooper, even I won't be able to protect you. You need to apologize to him immediately. If you do, I can say something nice for you and ask him not to hold this against you."

Edward felt a surge of disappointment at Winona's words. Any remaining affection he had for her vanished in that instant.

He turned his gaze to Steven and calmly said, "I'm the person Clyde is looking for. He transferred ten million to me just now."

When Steven heard this, his eyes lit up with realization. He was now certain that Edward was the miracle doctor he had been searching for.

The ten million Edward mentioned had been transferred by Steven himself, so hearing Edward bring it up confirmed his identity.

A pleased smile spread across Steven's face as he bowed deeply to Edward, his tone respectful. "Mr. Channing, Mr. Hardwick sent me to pick you up."

The bodyguards behind him immediately followed suit, bowing in unison.

"Greetings, Mr. Channing!"

Their voices rang out in perfect harmony, as loud and sharp as arrows slicing through the night, echoing across the area.

Curious faces appeared in the windows of nearby villas, drawn by the loud greeting. People leaned out to see who these visitors were and what was going on.

Stephanie and Winona were stunned, their faces filled with disbelief. They couldn't comprehend what they were seeing.

Wasn't Steven supposed to be here to discuss a partnership with them?

Stephanie was the first to snap out of it and shouted, "Mr. Cooper, you've got to be mistaken! How could this useless man, of all people, be the one you're looking for? If you want to work with Spencer Group, you should be talking to Ms. Spencer!"

Just as Stephanie finished speaking, Steven raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face.

"How dare you insult Mr. Channing? Do you want to die?!"

Steven's eyes were as cold and sharp as arrows as he glared at Stephanie.

Clyde had given strict orders for Steven to treat the Mystic Healer with the utmost respect—nothing less was acceptable.

"What nonsense of this partnership are you talking about? I came here to pick up Mr. Channing. When did I ever say I was here to talk about business with you? That's just your own delusion."

Stephanie held her burning cheek, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at Steven in disbelief.

Winona hurriedly said, "Mr. Cooper, surely there's been a mistake. Isn't Mr. Hardwick aware that Spencer Group is about to secure the ten-billion-dollar Draken Group contract? Didn't he send you to discuss a partnership with me?"

Steven had noticed the way Stephanie and Winona had treated Edward earlier, and it didn't take long for him to figure out the tension between them.

In an effort to gain Edward's favor, Steven had no intention of showing these two any respect.

He scoffed. "What is Spencer Group even worth? Do you think Mr. Hardwick would send me personally to discuss a partnership with you?

"Don't fool yourselves. Even if you manage to secure this ten-billion-dollar project, Mr. Hardwick still wouldn't be interested in working with you."

Winona's face went pale, as she bit her lower lip. She felt a wave of shame and anger—she wished she could just disappear.

Steven turned to Edward with a fawning smile. "Mr. Channing, Mr. Hardwick is waiting for you. Please come with me."

Edward waved his hand dismissively. "No rush."

Then he turned his cold gaze to Stephanie, his voice sharp.

"Earlier, someone said that if the ten million dollars were real, they'd kneel and lick my shoes. Isn't it time for you to keep your promise?"

Stephanie's face turned a deep shade of anger as she shouted, "Who the hell do you think you are? You think I'd kneel for you?"

Slap!

As she finished speaking, she was met with a hard slap to the face.

Again, it was Steven who struck her.

Stephanie held her red and swollen cheek and stared at Steven in disbelief.

"Mr. Cooper, why did you hit me?"

Steven glared at her coldly. "You insulted Mr. Channing. I could throw you into the sea to feed the fish if I wanted to!"

After all, Edward was someone who even Clyde had to treat with utmost respect. Stephanie was only a mere assistant. To dare insult him was nothing short of a death wish!

When Winona saw one of her own being struck, her brows furrowed slightly.

"Mr. Cooper, don't you think you're overstepping?"

Steven shot her a disdainful glance, his voice cold as he replied, "If she doesn't kneel and apologize to Mr. Channing, I guarantee it won't just be her life at risk. Spencer Group will be finished. I'll make sure it goes bankrupt!"

Winona's face turned ashen, her anger flaring.

She hadn't expected Steven to threaten the very existence of Spencer Group just to protect Edward.

Though the words stung, Winona knew she couldn't argue.

After all, Steven had the backing of Clyde Hardwick, the wealthiest man in Havaria. Spencer Group was in no position to go up against that kind of power.

Steven’s ultimatum twisted Stephanie’s face into a look of panic. She glanced at Winona, her eyes pleading for help.

Winona caught her look, but could only offer Stephanie a brief, apologetic glance before turning her eyes away, acting as if this wasn't her problem.

Stephanie saw the dismissive look, and disappointment flashed in his eyes.

Steven's cold voice rang out, "I'll give you three seconds. If you don't kneel before Mr. Channing, I'll have you thrown into the sea to feed the fish.

"1... 2..."

Thud!

Before Steven could finish counting, Stephanie's legs buckled, and she collapsed in front of Edward.

"Edward, I'm sorry… It's all my fault. I apologize."

Edward looked down at Stephanie, who was kneeling on the ground, repeatedly apologizing. His face showed no trace of emotion.

Seeing Edward's reaction, Steven immediately understood what was expected. He barked sharply, "Hurry up and lick Mr. Channing's shoes clean!"

Stephanie's eyes went wide with disbelief as she stared at Steven.

She couldn't believe Steven was actually making her lick Edward's shoes. It would have been less humiliating if he had just killed her!

Winona furrowed her brows, looking at Steven. When she saw his unyielding attitude, she realized there was no point in arguing, so she shifted her gaze to Edward.

"Edward, maybe you should let it go. Show Stephanie some mercy..."

Edward chuckled coldly. "Mercy? Did she show me any earlier?"

Hearing Edward completely ignore her plea, Winona flared up.

Before, Edward had always obeyed her without question. Now, freshly divorced, he was completely ignoring her words.

Men were really heartless.

Steven raised his hand and slapped Stephanie across the face, his voice ice-cold. "Since you'd rather die, I'll grant your wish."

With that, Steven motioned to the bodyguards behind him to drag Stephanie out and throw her into the sea.

Realizing Steven wasn't bluffing, Stephanie panicked and quickly cried out, "I'll do it! I'll do it!"

Without wasting another moment, Stephanie bent over and started to lick Edward's shoes. Her eyes were filled with humiliation, and tears streamed down her face.

Winona watched the scene unfold, her face turning ashen. She shot a glare at Edward and snapped, "Are you satisfied now?"

Edward glanced at Winona, his voice indifferent. "She brought this on herself. If she hadn't been so aggressive, would this be happening now?"

Once Stephanie had fulfilled her humiliating task, Edward lost interest in further confrontation and followed Steven to the car.

-

Soon, they arrived at Hardwick Manor in the heart of Havaria.

When Steven opened the car door for Edward, a man in his fifties quickly stepped forward, extending his hand with a warm smile.

"You're the Mystic Healer, Dr. Channing, right? I'm Clyde. Please, I beg you to save my father!"

Edward responded coolly, "Don't worry. Since I've accepted your payment, I'll give it my all. Lead the way."

Hearing this, Clyde didn't dare to hesitate for a second. He quickly led Edward into a room.

Inside, various medical devices beeped and buzzed, and the heart monitor displayed a steady, flat line.

A group of doctors in white coats were frantically surrounding a pale elderly man on the bed, trying to revive him.

"Mr. Clyde, we've done everything we can. We can only offer our condolences..."

A middle-aged doctor with sharp eyes approached Clyde. He was Henry Cooper, the attending physician for Dylan Hardwick, Clyde's father.

When Clyde heard the news, the world seemed to tilt beneath his feet. His legs wobbled, and it was only thanks to Steven's quick reflexes that he managed to steady his boss before he collapsed to the floor.

"There's still hope for the old man! If you modern doctors can't save him, let me, a traditional doctor, try. Move aside!"

Edward strode past the crowd and approached the bedside. After a quick glance at Dylan, he already understood the man's condition.

Without hesitation, he pulled a needle pack from his coat and raised a silver needle, prepared to administer acupuncture.

"Stop!"

Henry rushed forward, blocking Edward.

"Who the hell are you, kid? Mr. Dylan has already stopped breathing! Are you really going to desecrate his body?"

The other doctors crowded around, trying to block Edward as well.

"Get out of my way! If you're going to keep me from saving him, you'll be the ones responsible!"

Edward's roar stunned them all into silence.

Clyde finally regained his senses and shouted angrily, "Get out of the way! If anyone dares stop Dr. Channing from saving him, I'll make sure they never set foot in Havaria again!"

At Clyde's command, the doctors reluctantly backed off, creating space for Edward.

As the wealthiest man in Havaria, Clyde had the power to make good on his threats.

Still, Henry was anxious and said, "Mr. Clyde, Mr. Dylan's heartbeat and breathing have stopped. How can you still trust this kid?"

To Henry, Dylan was clinically dead—no heartbeat, no breath. In his medical opinion, it was already a confirmed death.

Edward looked at Henry with disdain.

"Just because your modern medicine can't save him doesn't mean traditional methods can't. If you don't understand, shut up and stop embarrassing yourself!"

Henry's eyebrows shot up in anger, his eyes blazing with fury at Edward's words.

"How dare you say I don't understand?! I'm a medical doctor with a Ph.D. and a chief physician! How dare you say I don't understand?!"

Edward's gaze shifted to Clyde. "Do you still want to save your father? If you do, tell him to shut up. If not, I'll leave right now."

Hearing this, Clyde glared at Henry, his gaze icy and intimidating.

"Henry Cooper, shut your mouth! If I hear another word from you, I promise you won't live to see tomorrow!"