Chapter 1 I Have the Ability to Treat Him

• "His heart rate has dropped to 45, and his vital signs are weakening."
• "His breathing is becoming shallow. Increase the oxygen flow!"
• "Get the pacemaker ready!"
• ...
• "It's no use. We need to inform the family."
• In the emergency ward of the Eserith Community Hospital, several seasoned doctors encircled the operating table, their brows moist with sweat as they observed the patient who was hanging by a thread.
• On the table lay John Eden, a man of significant influence in Eserith. Though not all-powerful, his sway was considerable.
• If such a prominent figure were to pass away under their care, these experts could bid farewell to their careers.
• "What should we do? The patient is suffering from acute left-sided heart failure, and is currently experiencing difficulty breathing and cardiogenic shock—there's nothing more we can do."
• "Even if we proceed with surgery now, it's useless. The critical window has passed. I don't think any doctor would be able to turn this around."
• "Should we proceed with surgery anyway?"
• "No! It would be pointless. If the patient dies during surgery, it would become a case of medical negligence. Can any of you bear the wrath of the Edens?"
• Silence fell among the doctors. They were renowned specialists in Eserith, yet they were all powerless against this condition.
• Firstly, acute left-sided heart failure was an intractable disease that was notoriously challenging to treat. Secondly, the sudden onset of the condition and delayed arrival worsened the prognosis. Lastly, John's advanced age posed immense surgical risks; he might not survive an appendix surgery, much less a heart procedure.
• They had given their utmost.
• That was all they could say.
• Even someone as affluent as John was powerless in the face of life's fragility.
• The doctors collectively sighed, hoping the Edens' fury would not descend upon them.
• Opening the door to the operating room, one doctor spoke up.
• "Mr. Eden, we've exhausted our options. Old Mr. Eden's prognosis is grave."
• The man addressed as Mr. Eden, nearly fifty, was John's second son, James Eden, the head of Eden Group.
• Upon hearing the news, James erupted in fury, seizing the doctor by the collar.
• "What did you say? My father was fine when he entered the operating room! How can you say he won't make it?"
• Aiken Chavez, taken aback, felt his legs tremble.
• "Mr. Eden ... Old Mr. Eden is suffering from acute left-sided heart failure. There's truly nothing more we can do. His arrival was too late. Even if we had the best doctor in the world here now, they couldn't save him. I'm deeply sorry. You should prepare yourself for what comes next."
• "You're talking nonsense!"
• James, incensed, could not reconcile with the reality. Just two hours ago, he had enjoyed a meal with his father, and now his father lay dying on the operating table?
• Overwhelmed with emotion, James turned his gaze upon the doctors.
• "Who among you can save my father? Name your price, and it will be paid!"
• Aiken frowned. Though James was no ordinary man, Aiken's own patience wore thin.
• "Mr. Eden! Yelling won't help. In this entire hospital, and in all of Eserith, I am the foremost cardiac surgeon. If I cannot save him, no one can."
• Aiken was indeed a prominent figure in cardiac surgery, renowned across the city and even the province. His statement was not mere bravado.
• James's action earlier pissed him off a little. Since he had determined that John was definitely not going to make it, he was sure nobody could prove him wrong.
• James, eyes wide with desperation, implored, "Is there really no one who can save him?"
• At that moment, a composed voice echoed from the end of the corridor.
• "I can."
• Though not loud, the voice carried a resolute clarity. As the crowd turned toward the sound, they beheld a young man, approximately twenty years old, clad in casual attire with a satchel slung over his shoulder, advancing step by step toward them.
• The young man possessed a handsome visage, slightly tousled hair, and piercing eyes. Though his countenance was stoic, an air of deep mystery surrounded him.
• James paused, sensing a faint familiarity with the young man, yet unable to place where from.
• "What did you say?!"
• Jayce Howe approached James. "I said, I have the ability to treat him."
• James's eyes sparked with hope. "Are you sure?!"
• Before Jayce could reply, Aiken intervened.
• "Who do you think you are, entering our hospital and making such assertions! This isn't a place you can just barge in!"
• Observing Jayce's demeanor and bold declaration, Aiken labeled him as a fraud.
• The man was ridiculously young, yet he dared to make such a bold claim right after Aiken had declared John's condition incurable. To Aiken, it seemed like a deliberate challenge.
• Ignoring Aiken, Jayce focused on James.
• "Uncle James, time is of the essence. If I intervene now, there's still a chance.
• Uncle James?
• James was perplexed. Jayce clearly knew him, yet he could not recall who the young man was.
• However, time was running short. Since there were no better options, James decided there was no harm in attempting this last-resort effort.
• "Very well! Proceed!"
• Aiken frowned deeply. "Mr. Eden! This isn't a joke. He's just a young man. What medical expertise could he possibly possess? I don't think anyone could save a person I have determined unsavable! If something goes wrong, I won't take responsibility!"
• James scoffed. "He's already at death's door. How could it get any worse? Step aside!"
• Reluctant, Aiken moved aside, though his face burned with anger as he gritted his teeth.
• Jayce glanced at him calmly and spoke.
• "Arrogance is the worst trait in a medical professional. Believing you're the greatest without genuine skills—that's the mark of a quack."
• With that, Jayce entered the operating room.
• Aiken was stunned, momentarily speechless.
• "What did he just say? Did he call me a quack? How dare that young brat call me a quack! Damn it!"
• Insulted in front of onlookers, Aiken's anger flared
• "No, I can't allow him to pull tricks in our hospital. Everyone, follow him inside!"
• The other doctors hurried into the operating room, concerned about Jayce's actions.
• Inside, they found Jayce standing beside John. He pressed his fingers together and applied a forceful jab to the right side of John's chest.
• Acupressure?
• The Eserith Community Hospital was known for integrating Western and alternative medicine. Several specialists there were experts in alternative therapies and were astonished by Jayce's technique.
• Could this really be acupressure?
• Acupressure was highly advanced; even seasoned practitioners of alternative medicine rarely attempted it.
• But in critical situations, it could be a lifesaver—a potent emergency measure in alternative medicine.
• As Jayce applied pressure, John suddenly let out a groan.
• "What are you doing?! Leave immediately. You can't just experiment here!" Aiken shouted in frustration.
• Before Aiken could finish, a nurse exclaimed, "He's breathing! Old Mr. Eden is breathing!"