31As the guests at the gala began to make their way out, their expressions a mix of relief and lingering fear, Darien and Lavinia watched from the sidelines. They had become inadvertent heroes, a status that sat uncomfortably on Darien's shoulders. Marcella and Bennett, looking considerably weakened but alive, made their slow approach toward the exit. Their eyes met Darien's, and instead of gratitude, there was a flicker of the same disdain they had always shown him. "You think you're some kind of hero now, huh?" Marcella sneered, her voice weak but dripping with contempt. Despite her condition, she managed to stand tall, her pride seemingly untouched by the ordeal.Darien, caught off guard by her harshness, was momentarily speechless. He had braced for some bitterness, but her hostility caught him off guard.Lavinia, unable to contain her frustration, stepped up, her fists balled in anger. "He saved your ungrateful lives. The least you could do is say 'thank you," she retorted, he

33All eyes turned towards the source, and a collective gasp swept through the crowd. "Gosh! She's so gorgeous!"A stunningly beautiful girl stepped forward, commanding attention. Her long, ebony hair cascaded down her back, and her emerald-green eyes shimmered with a powerful resolve. Dressed in a tailored business suit that accentuated her slender figure, she exuded an aura of authority and elegance. She ignored the others and walked directly towards Darien.The men, momentarily stunned, hesitated in their tracks. They exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond to this unexpected turn of events. The girl approached Darien, her eyes locked with his."Are you Darien French?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm.Darien, caught off guard by her sudden appearance, managed to nod, his gaze still wary. "Yes, I am. Who are you?"With a polite smile, she extended her hand. "I'm Amelia Fairchild from the Fairchild family in the mobile city of Aetherhaven."A wave of surprise rippled throug

35Darien sighed, the weight of centuries of skepticism and misunderstanding pressing down on him in that moment. "I know how it sounds. But you saw the improvement in your grandfather's condition. Isn't that what truly matters?"Amelia bit her lip, her mind racing. The doubt was there, but so was the undeniable evidence of her grandfather's eased suffering. She glanced at Camila, whose face was a tumult of confusion and defiance, then back at Darien. "But why didn't you tell us sooner? About... this Qi healing?"Darien's gaze softened, and he gently withdrew his hands from the old man. "Because not everyone is ready to believe. And sometimes, disbelief can hinder the healing process more than help."Camila scoffed, rolling her eyes in a clear display of frustration and disbelief. "So, what now? This... Qi healing is supposed to cure him completely?"Darien shook his head, a solemn expression overtaking his features. "No, Camila. While I've managed to ease his discomfort and improve h

37The room fell silent, the only sounds the soft beeps of the medical equipment and Camila's quiet sobs. Dr. Peregrine, his cheek reddening from the impact, simply stared at Amelia, his expression a mix of shock and indignation.Without another word, Amelia turned away from him, fishing her phone out of her pocket with trembling hands. She dialed Darien’s number, her heartbeat loud in her ears."Sir French, you have to come back," she said urgently into the phone, her voice breaking. "It's Grandpa... they say... they say he doesn't have much time."On the other end of the line, Darien's voice was a soothing balm, calm and steady. "I’m on my way, miss Fairchild. Just hold on. I’ll do everything I can."Hanging up, Amelia felt a flicker of hope amidst the storm of her emotions. She turned to look at her sister, Camila, who was watching her with wide, tear-streaked eyes. Amelia reached out, her hand shaking, and took Camila’s in her own, squeezing gently.Camila returned the squeeze, he

39Inside, the air seemed to thicken with anticipation. Amelia and Camila held their breaths, their eyes locked on their grandfather, watching for any sign of improvement. Amelia's faith in Darien never wavered, but the weight of the medical staff's skepticism was a heavy shadow in the back of her mind.Camila, despite her initial reluctance, now found herself hoping beyond hope that Darien's unconventional methods would prove successful. She glanced at the medical staff gathered outside, their faces a mix of curiosity and disdain, and felt a surge of defiance. She wanted Darien to succeed, not just for her grandfather's sake, but to prove them all wrong.Darien's body was starting to show signs of strain from the poison and the effort of the treatment. Sweat trickled down his forehead, his hands trembled slightly, yet he pressed on with unwavering focus. His face was pale, but his eyes burned with determination."Please," Amelia whispered, more to herself than to Darien, "let this wo