bChapter /bb40 /b

Olivia stood up and ced her fingers on Andrew’s wrist, attentively taking his pulse. Andrew narrowed his eyes bslightly/bb, /bhis gaze fixed on Olivia.

Olivia felt that his pulse was deep and sluggish, indicating blockages and low vitality. “Open your mouth,” she ordered, lifting Andrew’s chin. Her finger identally brushed his Adam’s apple, her expression nk.

Andrew obeyed, opening his mouth, the corners of his eyes lifting as he studied her. Her eyes shone clear and sharp, projecting professionalism.

Olivia’s lips thinned as she checked the coating on his tongue, her breath nearly touching him. Andrew felt an itch in his throat and that something was straining to break free.

Oblivious to his reaction, Olivia carefully examined the coating on his tongue.

“You don’t have much time left,” Olivia said calmly, her eyes unnervingly vivid. “Not even the gods could save you, and that’s the in truth.”

The words hit Ethan like a physical blow. What Olivia said was exactly what the other doctors, had told him.

Jenny knew nothing of medicine, but she could tell from Olivia’s words that Andrew couldn’t be saved.

Fearing Andrew might strike Olivia, Ethan dropped his spoon mid–bite. He charged over without bothering to wipe his mouth, yanking her away to put distance between them.

“Please, control your temper. Ms. Summers… she doesn’t deserve death for this,” he said.

Jenny stared at Andrew, a pang of regret tightening her chest. She felt she had made a mistake bringing Olivia to examine

him.

Andrew had been frail since childhood. Over the years, he consulted every renowned physician and sampled every rare remedy, all to no avail. The three of them came to Hirica to bid for the Refreshing Pill and seek Phantom Healer, but neither attempt seeded.

In contrast to the others‘ tense demeanori, /iOlivia remained remarkably calm. She slowly withdrew her hand from Andrew’s

chin.

From their first meeting, Olivia noticed his sickly pallor mingled with an air of nobility–abination she’d never seen before. She thrived on tackling such baffling cases, which was why she agreed to take his pulse.

But Ethan’s reaction was over the top. Putting together the events of the past few days, it was easy for Olivia to guess Andrew’s identity: Andrew Shea, the fourth ison /iof the Shea family, Kingtonelle’s most prominent n.

Olivia never considered a patient’s status when treating them. It was always about fate. She’d only treat the ones bwho /btrusted her.

“Exactly.” Andrew lowered his head with a resigned sigh, his voiceced with an almost imperceptible chuckle. b“/bbMs. /bSummers, you’re quite remarkable.”

b21:53 /bbSat/bb, /bb30 /bbAug /b17

Jenny stared at Andrew in disbelief. ‘Wasn’t he always the first to snap at anyone who brought bup /bhis illnessb? /bYet btoday/bb, /bbhe /bseems like a different man entirely,‘ she thought to herself.

“You’ve long known about my illness, haven’t you?” Andrew added, a faint smile ying at his lips as he eyed Olivia. bHe /bhad a knack for reading people and had figured it out ever since she did that fortune–telling for him in the hospital.

“You’re smart.” Olivia didn’t mince words, a flicker of surprise crossing her otherwise calm expression. “Your condition is peculiar. You seem frail, but you’re actually robust. While other ailments are superficial or deep–seated, yours defies suchbels; it’s neither internal nor external.

“Honestly, I’ve never encountered anything quite like this. Curing it outright will be a challenge. Slow recovery is the only

way.”

There was one thought Olivia kept to herself. His symptoms suggested poisoning rather than illness.

Ethan, shielding Olivia, stood dumbfounded. ‘Could Ms. Summers actually be some miracle healer? She’s nailed every symptom,‘ he wondered.

Jenny tugged excitedly at Olivia’s sleeve. “Can you save Andrew?”

“Oh right, Ms. Summers, if you spotted the illness, you must be able to heal it, right?” Ethan nodded hard. Jenny had just taken the words out of his mouth.

Ethan figured, ‘With things the way they are now, tracking down Phantom Healer seems impossible. If Ms. Summers could

save Mr. Shea…‘

“Jenny, shut up,” Andrew whispered. “Ms. Summers might not be able to heal me either.”

Beyond Willow Lane, the asphalt roady deste. Biting windsshed, rain beat down harder, and the night deepened the cold.

Nina pushed herself toward the alley. Inside, she felt a turmoil–something churning and searing her stomach.

She knew it must have been because of that cup of coffee. “The Evans family…” she growled, her eyes zing with pure

hatred.

Her lips went pale, her vision blurred, and finally, she copsed with a thud. Before losing consciousness, she caught glimpses of her grandmother and father. ‘Sorry… I couldn’t avenge youb,/b‘ she muttered in her mind.

“I can cure it,” Olivia said, her fingers absently drumming on the desk as she stared straight at Andrew. “I can cure your

illness.”

She thought, ‘Where the gods fail to heal his illness, Phantom Healer can. People in Hirica are saying that Phantom Healer can save someone even after the doctors give up.‘

Shock flickered in Andrew’s eyes, He hadn’t expected Olivia to say that.

21:53 Sat, b30 /bbAug /b( ▼ W*

“Really?” Jenny sprang to her feet, bursting with excitement. “So Andrew can be cured, rightb?/bb” /b

Olivia nodded in acknowledgement.

b“/bMs. Summers, if you can cure Mr. Shea, you’ll be…” Ethan’s voice cracked with excitement, and his eyes shone bwith /bgratitude as he looked at Olivia–only to stall mid–sentence.

‘What should I say? The Shea family’s savior? But we can’t blow our cover. The future Mrs. Shea? Mr. Shea will kill me for suggesting that.‘ Ethan racked his brains, but couldn’te up with a single good exnation.

“Who said I was nning to cure him?” Olivia eyed Ethan with amusement, her voice light and careless. “I just think his illness is interesting.”

Jenny’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. “You really can’t save Andrew?” she pleaded, voice trembling.

Olivia gently smoothed her hair. “It’s not that I can’t,” she said softly. “It’s that I won’t.”

Then she lifted her gaze to Andrew. “Your clothes make it obvious your family has wealth and power. Well, I happen to dislike treating privileged snobs like you. Besides…”

“Besides, your visit fee won’t be cheap,” Andrew cut in with a dry chuckle. “But like you said, I’m filthy rich. Name your

price.”

The moment Sean heard “rich,” he dropped his chicken leg, spun to Olivia like a top, and blinked hard like he was saying, “Say yes. And charge thirty thousand per visit.”

Seeing his dor–sign eyes, Olivia shook her head.

“Smart man,” she said, arms folded, eyes bright. “If I save you, the fee is only part of it…”

Olivia paused mid–sentence and moved in close to Andrew–so close that she could smell the herbal scent on him. “You must do exactly what I say,” she whispered in his ear, eyes gleaming with mischief.

Andrew’s Adam’s apple bobbed twice. He murmured softly, “Okay.”

Olivia stepped back, caught Sean sneaking a bite. “Quit coffee first. Sleep is part of the cure,” she said. With that, she towed Sean away, yanking the chicken leg from his mouth. If they werete at home, Grace would worry.

bAD /b

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