Chapter 9 A Chance Encounter with an Old Classmate

• Thea, his younger sister, held Nelson's arm tightly on the way home as if afraid that he might leave again.
• When Nelson assured her that he was back for good this time, her sweet smile never left her face.
• However, their parents, Elliot and Dianne, despite their happiness, couldn't hide the concern in their eyes. The household was in shambles, and as parents, they felt the weight of their children's burdens.
• Nelson understood his parents' worries, but for now, words seemed futile.
• Since he left, he had spent the past five years honing his skills. From today onwards, he was determined to prove through his actions that he was capable of protecting his family and bringing them a better life.
• When they got home, after a brief cleaning up, Thea helped their mother prepare food in the kitchen. The family were preparing for the reunion.
• Meanwhile, Nelson chatted with his father in the living room. His father also told him that Bob was stabbed because of their family. He and Nelson's mother planned to visit Bob in the hospital tomorrow, and he asked if Nelson would join them.
• Nelson remembered that tomorrow he had to visit the Morales to give treatment, so he declined.
• However, he shoved a bank card into his father's palm, containing tens of thousands dollars he had accumulated during his military service, asking him to use it to compensate Bob. It was all he could do for now.
• The next morning, Nelson's parents and sister went to the hospital to see the injured Bob, while Nelson headed out early.
• He called Alfred, the Morales's butler, to get their address. After getting the details, he stopped a taxi and went straight to the Morales residence.
• At the Morales mansion, in a serene and elegant courtyard, Alfred hurried over with the good news that Nelson was coming to treat John. John, who was recuperating there, was pleased by the news.
• Also present in the courtyard were Audrey and her father, Roger.
• Several years ago, when John's illness first emerged, he had stepped down and handed over all the family business to his son, Roger.
• Roger was a very capable person. After taking over the family business, he doubled the Morales' fortune and earned the title of the richest man in Cloudhaven City.
• However, Roger was strongly opposed to the marriage arrangement his father had made for his daughter. Upon hearing from Alfred that Nelson, the groom-to-be, was on his way, his expression darkened.
• He complained with a hint of contempt, "Dad! How could you plan such a marriage for Audrey? I've heard Audrey mention that Nelson is just a poor ex-soldier. How can he be a good match for Audrey?"
• "When that boy arrives, we'll let him take the initiative to terminate the engagement himself. Audrey deserves someone from a prestigious family in another province, not him!"
• John, however, was delighted that Nelson would be coming to treat his illness. After all, Nelson was a disciple of the esteemed master, and maybe he really could cure his hidden illness.
• Plus, he was curious to see what kind of person the Morales's future son-in-law was.
• However, as he heard his son's words, his face and tone grew stern, "Roger, do you know that Nelson's master saved my life and provided me with guidance!"
• "If it weren't for his master, the Morales wouldn't be where it is today. Nelson is a disciple of that master, and he is destined to be extraordinary. Don't look down on him!"
• Back then, John was hunted down by enemies and was gravely injured. He was saved by Nelson's master. Afterward, he had the privilege of learning from him, which led to the Morales's current prosperity.
• In his opinion, their family was fortunate to have such a great master like Nelson's master was willing to associate with the Morales through a marriage alliance. There was no reason for them to cancel it.
• Even after hearing this, Roger was still unconvinced. He assumed Nelson's master was simply a lucky quack doctor who had spared his father's life, and there was no reason to entangle his daughter in their affairs!
• Many famous doctors and experts are helpless about his father's illness. He didn't believe that the disciples of the quack doctor could cure his father's illness. Now, Nelson was going to come to their family with an excuse to treat illness. He suspected Nelson was after their wealth and his daughter's beauty.
• "Fine! Then we'll check on the character of this master's disciple later to discover if he has a deceptive reputation or if he actually has talent!"
• "Dad, I'm just worried about your health. This time, I've also called in Dr. Hartnell's disciple to come to do a diagnosis. If Nelson can't outshine him, I won't approve this marriage, no matter what!"
• Roger, not wanting to anger his father, reluctantly agreed but he dismissed Nelson inwardly as just another pretentious so-called disciple.
• Audrey, who sat beside him, stayed silent. She believed that if Nelson had any sense, he would take the initiative to call off the engagement himself.
• Her grandfather's condition had become more serious. Her primary concern was whether anyone could cure her grandfather's worsening condition. The identity of the person who could cure his grandfather was secondary.
• Twenty minutes later, Nelson arrived at the Morales Manor's entrance.
• There was a vast estate stood in front of him, extending over four hectares. It was an elegant haven far from the city's hustle and bustle, complete with stunning architecture and 24-hour security patrols to assure the owner's safety.
• The scale of this property was worthy of being the residence of the richest man in Cloudhaven City!
• Thanks to Alfred's prior notice, the guards welcomed Nelson respectfully after he introduced himself.
• When he was about to step inside, the roar of an approaching car turned his head. A black Audi drove at a speed of over 160 km/hour. It executed a perfect drift before halting at the Morales Manor's gate.
• The car door opened, and a man wearing glasses in a white coat stepped out. He was holding a medical kit, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, as he walked towards Nelson.
• When Nelson saw this man, he found the man vaguely familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him.
• "Yo! Isn't this Nelson? What brought you here? I thought you'd kicked the bucket after all these years in the army!"
• Unexpectedly, the man with glasses had sharp eyes and recognised Nelson at a glance. He smiled awkwardly.
• "Are you Ulric?"
• At this time, Nelson finally recalled where he had seen this man with glasses. Turned out, he was a college classmate.
• During college, Ulric had been a lackey of Warren, who constantly tried to undermine Nelson's relationship with Sadie, only to be repeatedly bested by Nelson.
• He just didn't expect that Ulric had climbed the social ladder, judging by his appearance and the car.
• "Yeah, it's me, old buddy! You really looked out for me back in college. How come you didn't let me know you were back?"
• Ulric's eyes gleamed with malice. He walked forward with a smile, threw away the cigarette he had finished smoking, and lit another one for himself. He glanced scornfully at Nelson's modest attire before saying, "Old buddy, I heard your family had gone bankrupt. Sadie even announced in our group chat that she's with Warren now. Did you know that?"
• "I can't believe it! You two were so close back then, and now she's betraying you for someone else."
• "By the way, what are you doing here? Did you just out of the military and can't find a job? Are you hoping to work as a bodyguard at the Morales?
• "But the Morales Manor isn't a place for just anyone. If you want to be a bodyguard here, you would need special forces training to even qualify. Decent jobs are tough to find these days, but there's always room for brick movers on construction sites!"
• Nelson's face turned cold as he spoke indifferently. "I'm here to treat Old Mr. Morales's illness. How about you?"
• When Ulric heard this, he laughed directly. "You've got to be kidding! You haven't finished college. You are just a half-assed medical student who doesn't even have the qualifications to practice medicine. How dare you come here to do medical treatments! This is so ridiculous!"
• "Are you aware that Old Mr. Morales wields enormous power across Cloudhaven City? Even I, a high-ranking disciple of the divine healer Dr. Hartnell, can't guarantee a cure for Old Mr. Morales. If you mess up, it'll cost you your life."
• Ignoring Ulric's taunts, Nelson followed the guide to enter the Morales Manor without saying anything.
• Seeing Nelson ignore him directly, Ulric gritted his teeth angrily and cursed Nelson under his breath, "D*mn it, this penniless loser! He acted high and mighty back in college, and now he's still trying to put on airs!"
• "I don't know what's going on with the Morales. They invited me to provide a diagnosis, but why did they also invite this incompetent individual? Could they have been fooled by his misleading portrayal of outstanding medical abilities?
• "No way! I need to expose him before he causes any trouble. The Morales need to know they're dealing with a fraud!"