Chapter 11

"Grandpa…" Cassidy choked out a sob the moment she saw Robert open one eye. "You're finally awake. I thought—I thought I'd never see you again…"

But Emory shook his head slowly.

"He's not awake," he said quietly. "This is just the final flare of light before the flame goes out."

"The final flare?" Cassidy's voice trembled. "Can he still be saved?"

"He can," Emory replied, nodding with calm certainty.

"Then I'm counting on you, Doctor."

Something in the way he said it—steady, unrushed—allowed a fragile hope to stir in Cassidy's chest.

Time passed.

One minute. Then another. Ten minutes slipped by.

Neither Cassidy nor Lucy dared make a sound. The two women stood still, barely breathing, as they watched Emory draw symbols over the area of Robert's internal organs.

Then—

"Huuh…" Emory exhaled deeply and withdrew his hand.

At that very moment, a blinding white light flashed briefly from all seven of Robert's orifices. A second later, thick, black blood began to ooze from beneath his fingernails—strange, almost unreal in appearance.

"What's happening to Grandpa?" Cassidy's voice rose in alarm as she saw his breath weaken. The hope that had only just formed in her heart faltered instantly, her face draining of color.

"He's expelling toxins," Emory answered, his tone still quiet, still steady. "Your grandfather's injuries were severe. He couldn't find the right cure, so he suppressed the damage with Glugan Fire."

"But what he didn't realize," Emory went on, "is that Glugan Fire wreaks havoc on the internal organs. When I looked inside him just now, all five organs were withered, riddled with fire poison. I had to draw it out. It was the only way to keep him alive."

As his final word fell—

Thump.

Robert's body trembled once… then stilled.

His breath vanished.

"Grandpa!!" Cassidy's scream ripped through the room.

Seeing no sign of life, she turned on Emory like a storm unleashed.

"Quack! You said he was detoxing! Then why? Why is he dead now? It was you! You killed him! If you hadn't treated him, he wouldn't have died so soon—"

Her voice cracked, and the anger gave way to something rawer. She broke down sobbing, utterly devastated.

At the same time, several bodyguards sprang into motion, surrounding Emory without hesitation. One of them stepped forward.

"Scum. Master Robert is dead because of you. It's only fair you leave your life behind in return."

"This… what is this…" Lucy stood frozen, her face pale.

Emory—she had been the one who brought him here.

And now? She was going to be implicated because of Emory's failure.

Once Cassidy was done with Emory… She had no doubt she'd be next.

Just as Lucy stood frozen in panic, unsure what to do next, Emory turned calmly to Cassidy.

"Miss Cassidy," he said, his voice composed, "is this how the Caison family treats someone who just saved a life?"

"Saved a life?" Cassidy snapped. "You killed my grandpa and now you're—"

She didn't finish her sentence.

Her words stopped short, and not just hers. Everyone around turned their eyes to Robert.

Robert, who only moments ago had shown no signs of life, was now sitting upright—color back in his face.

"What… what kind of treatment is this?" Lucy murmured, stunned. "He was dead. Dead. And now…"

She had studied alternative medicine—'look, listen, ask, and feel'—and Western diagnostics with their monitors and machines. But this? This was something else. Something beyond either world. Something unreal.

"Grandpa? You're alive?" Cassidy finally choked out. Overcome, she threw herself into her grandfather's arms, tears of relief spilling down her face.

"There, there, Cassidy," Robert murmured gently. "Don't cry."

He helped her to her feet, then turned and bowed toward Emory. "Thank you, young man. You pulled me back from the edge of death."

He'd been conscious, he explained, while Emory worked. Aware, but paralyzed, unable to move or speak.

"There's no need to thank me," Emory said, offering a faint smile. "I didn't do it for free."

Robert straightened and gave a short laugh. "Then name it. In Vermillion Delta, I have many friends. Money, status, fame, women—whatever you want, it's yours."

Emory shook his head. "I don't want any of that."

Robert paused, surprised. Before he could respond, Lucy spoke up quickly.

"Master Robert, what he really wants is a job."

"A job?" Robert blinked, not expecting that answer. Cassidy looked equally baffled.

A man with Emory's skill—any hospital would be fighting to keep him.

"It's no trouble," Robert said with a smile. "Before my mom passed, she left me a business here in Vermillion Delta. From today on, Emory, you are the new owner of Lunar Ventures."

As he spoke, he handed Emory a transfer document.

Emory didn't hesitate. He signed without a second thought.

When it was done, Cassidy stepped forward and handed him a bank card. "Dr. Emory, please accept this as my personal thanks."

Emory shook his head. "There's no need. Your grandfather already paid me."

"But… he's him, and I'm me. And besides…" She hesitated, eyes lowered. "I doubted your skill earlier. I owe you an apology."

He didn't take the card. He only smiled and turned to Robert. "Robert, may I go now and move things along at Lunar Ventures?"

"Of course," Robert nodded. "I've already informed Bobby Cowell. He'll be waiting for you at the company's lobby."

As Emory and Lucy walked away, Cassidy turned to her grandfather, troubled.

"Grandpa… why give him the Lunar Ventures? Our family owns plenty of companies in Vermillion Delta. Great-Grandma founded Lunar Ventures. It's become one of the Four Major VC Companies in Vermillion Delta. Isn't that… too much?"

Robert chuckled softly. "How could I give Emory one of our small companies? With Emory's abilities, I doubt even Lunar Ventures is worth his notice. How could I give him just anything?"

He paused, then added, "They say the world is vast. I used to think I'd seen enough in Sacholles. But now? Now I've met a true master."

"You mean… Emory has a powerful background?" Cassidy asked.

"I can't see through him," Robert said, almost to himself. "And that, my girl, is what makes him dangerous."

She hesitated. "Do you think… do you think he might be the one High Commissioner Brady is looking for?"

Robert sighed. "Who knows? That man guards his secrets like treasure. Ask him anything and he turns evasive. Always sneaking around, like a petty thief."

He narrowed his eyes, voice firm. "But whether Emory is or isn't the one Brady seeks—it doesn't matter. We must never make Emory our enemy."

"I understand, Grandpa," she said, nodding.

After leaving Crystal Baycourt, Lucy couldn't hide the look of awe in her eyes.

Emory noticed. "What is it?"

She hesitated, then told him. The Lunar Ventures he'd just inherited wasn't just some regular company. It was one of the Four Major VC Companies in the entire Vermillion Delta.

And Vermillion Delta had thirteen cities.

For Lunar Ventures to remain one of the top four, it meant deep roots and formidable power.

Even the prestigious Madison family of Goldspire, known across the region, was nothing compared to Lunar Ventures.

In that world, the Madison family was just a small fish. Lunar Ventures? A shark.