61Bernard scoffed, a dismissive sneer twisting his lips. “You really think you know better than me, kid?” He waved a hand in the air, as if brushing aside Dylan’s concerns like they were nothing. “You’re clearly just an ignorant fool who thinks he’s got the answers. Stick to whatever it is you’re good at, and leave the medical stuff to professionals.”Dylan’s nostrils flared, but before he could retort, Lewis stepped forward, his jaw tight and eyes narrowing into a glare. “This is a doctor, boy,” he spat, voice laced with authority. “You don’t get to question him. He’s here to help, not play some game with you.”Lucas, leaning casually against the wall, let out a dry chuckle, folding his arms smugly. “See? You’re nothing but a know-it-all idiot,” he added, voice oozing with condescension. “Stay in your lane, Dylan. You have no clue what you’re talking about.” His grin widened, and Dylan couldn’t shake the feeling that the guy was enjoying this—like he was egging Bernard on.That alon

63 The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Dylan’s accusations lingered in the air like a storm cloud, casting an oppressive gloom over the gathering. He stood, unwavering, his posture rigid, and his gaze sharp as a knife. On the other side of the room, Lucas stood with his arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. His expression was a mix of disbelief and scorn, as though Dylan’s words were beneath him. “Oh, come on,” Lucas drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You really expect us to believe this ridiculous story about poisoning? Dr. Caldwell is a respected physician. Who do you think you are to barge in here and question his expertise?” Dylan’s gaze didn’t waver, his voice calm but tinged with an unsettling certainty. “I’m not questioning his expertise, Lucas. I’m questioning his honesty.” His words were deliberate, each one carrying the weight of conviction. He turned his sharp gaze to Zara and Lewis. “You’ve entrusted your daughter’s life to someone

65 The guards hesitated for a moment, their eyes meeting each other in uncertainty, before they grudgingly loosened their grip on Dylan’s arms. Zara shot a look at Dylan, her lips curling into a tight sneer. “You’re lucky Dr. Everett’s here. But don’t think this is over. You’ll pay for causing this chaos and spreading lies.” Dylan, his expression still unnervingly calm, simply shook his head. “You people… truly ignorant.” His words were delivered with such cold disdain that it seemed to stop everyone in their tracks for a moment, but no one said anything as Zara and Lewis ushered everyone out of the room, leaving Dylan alone with Dr. Caldwell. Once the door slammed shut behind them, Dr. Caldwell exhaled sharply, turning to face Dylan with a smirk. “Well, now that they’re gone, I guess we can have a little chat, hmm?” Dylan didn’t say a word, his eyes narrowing as he studied Dr. Caldwell. The air between them was thick with anticipation. Dr. Caldwell’s voice dropped to a whisper, a

67 Dylan, still unbothered by the chaos he’d just caused, simply sighed. “Dr. Caldwell,” he said, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. “It seems you still don’t understand the situation here.” He took a slow step forward, towering over Caldwell as if to remind him of the power he once wielded, the weight of his name now clear to everyone. “You can insult me all you want. Call me a pauper, a nobody—anything you like. But it won’t change the fact that I’m not someone you can afford to antagonize.” Caldwell scoffed, but there was less confidence in the sound this time. “You’re bluffing,” he said, but the words lacked conviction. Dr. Everett’s eyes stayed on Dylan, his gaze still wide with shock. He shook his head as if to clear away the disbelief, his voice cracking again. “You don’t understand, Dylan—no, Lord Grenville. I—” He stopped, the words caught in his throat. His hands were trembling now, the professional composure he had so carefully crafted slipping away. “I di

69 “You have no idea what you’re talking about, Caldwell,” he seethed. “You have no idea what this man has done. What he’s endured. What we have endured.” His fingers twitched at his sides, as though resisting the urge to strike Caldwell a third time. “And you dare to mock him? To question his name?” Caldwell swallowed, hard. The sheer intensity in Everett’s eyes was unnerving. “You—” He shook his head, as if trying to shake off his own confusion. “You’re actually serious. You actually believe all this.” He scoffed, but there was no real strength behind it.The room fell silent.Dr. Everett’s voice shattered the silence with a question that was both cutting and resolute. “Do you have any idea who he is?” His eyes drilled into Dr. Caldwell, his tone laden with a weight that seemed to carry years of unspoken words. The room, already thick with tension, seemed to tighten further with the intensity of his question.Caldwell blinked, momentarily taken aback. “What are you talking about?”