Benjamin's Heirloom Ring

Cursed Hospital

Outside the patient room, Valerie chimed in, "Ben, I never got the opportunity to say thank-"

Before Valerie could finish her sentence, Benjamin already interrupted, "There is something more important than a thanks word, Valerie."

The girl cleared her throat a few times and promptly inquired, "Alright, expressing my thanks is a bit too straightforward. Is there anything else you're looking for or need?"

"You've got it wrong," Benjamin shook his head. "I've got something more important things to share with you. Your grandfather's condition hasn't fully turned around. Currently, I can only offer initial support. He'll hang on for at least five days, but I'm skeptical about it lasting any longer," Benjamin conveyed.

Valerie's face paled. All the joy she had just experienced seemed to evaporate into thin air.

"Benjamin, I'm begging you, please, extend my grandfather's time!" Valerie sank back, her shoulders trembling as she began to sob. "Five days is too short. Give us at least two weeks. I have some promises to fulfill with my grandfather during that time!"

"Two weeks? That's still too brief. I could potentially add ten or twenty more years to his life," Benjamin said casually. "But, I'll need some herbal ingredients to concoct a potion."

Valerie lifted her face with gleaming eyes. "Please, tell me the herbal ingredients. I'll buy them at the traditional pharmacy!"

"Well, it's not that straightforward, actually. The ingredients I require might not be found in traditional pharmacies," Benjamin explained. "I heard there's an herb auction tomorrow night at the Timeless House Center. They might be auctioning off the items we need."

Valerie took out her mobile phone and immediately called one of her men to reserve two VIP tickets at the Timeless House Center. 

She said, "I've heard about the annual event but was never interested in attending. I never anticipated that the auction would turn out to be so crucial at a time like this."

After hanging up the call, she said, "My men have successfully booked two regular tickets for us at the event." 

"Very well," Benjamin said. "Now, I suggest you and your family leave this cursed hospital, or those doctors will keep squeezing money out of you until there's nothing left."

As they stepped into the room, Dr. Glenn unexpectedly reentered too.

However, this time, he wasn't alone; the hospital manager, Victor Kane, accompanied him.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I've been informed that there's been a bit of tension here," Victor said with a deceptive smile. "Is it true that you've invited a doctor from outside WellCare Hospital?"

Valerie confronted the hospital manager directly. "Mr. Kane, we've done nothing wrong. According to this hospital's rules, as long as we pay for the VIP room, we're free to invite doctors from anywhere."

"Oh, I suppose the rules have changed a bit for your grandfather," the manager said with an unpleasant smile. "This patient is in a very delicate and vulnerable state. It could be quite perilous if not attended to by the best doctors in this hospital. We also wouldn't want WellCare Hospital's reputation to be compromised due to you bringing in an incompetent doctor and worsening the patient's condition."

Valerie held her ground, saying, "If something goes wrong with my grandfather, we'll publicly declare that WellCare Hospital had no part in his treatment."

She then shifted her gaze to her grandfather. "Regardless, my grandfather is doing well now. I'm not sure what your doctors did exactly, but ever since I brought in someone from outside, the results have been far more positive than their efforts."

"I don't care whether Mr. Albert Morgan is healthy or unwell right now, but you've already breached our new policy," the manager declared.

"Now, we'll need to reassess your grandfather's condition to ensure you aren't falling victim to a charlatan!"

"I won't permit you to do that. We're taking our grandfather home right away," Valerie said, subtly adjusting her position to obstruct Victor's path.

"You're quite bold, little girl," Victor raised both eyebrows. "You should be aware that this hospital is under my control. I could do anything to your grandfather if I wished. Perhaps even... tamper with his oxygen supply?"

Valerie appeared apprehensive. "Please, don't resort to further blackmail."

"Oh, you still won't step aside? Well, then I'll handle it myself," Victor said, raising his hand to touch Valerie's waist.

Benjamin could not stay where he was. He moved at lightning speed, jumped 5 meters in less than half a second, and caught Victor Kane's arm.

"How can you do that?!" Victor opened his eyes wide with an incredulous look.

He was quite certain that Benjamin was a considerable distance away from him, but in the blink of an eye, the young man was already standing right there.

Meanwhile, Valerie took a few steps back in shock.

"I suggest you refrain from that, you shit," Benjamin shook his head with an intimidating glare in his eyes. "Laying hands on a woman's waist without permission is incredibly impolite."

Victor growled in frustration, attempting to free his arm from Benjamin's firm grip. However, no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't break free.

Benjamin's grip felt like the claws of an eagle clutching a river fish.

"You're just a meddling shaman, no need to interfere in our affairs!" Victor snapped angrily. "Release my hand now, or you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"

"Let go of your hand? I'm not interested, at least not until you promise to release the Morgans from this hospital," Benjamin shrugged his shoulders indifferently. "If you don't even consider that, I have no issue breaking your hand into a thousand pieces."

"Bullshit!" After swearing, Victor immediately spat on Benjamin's T-shirt.

Benjamin's face became very cold. "You have made the first mistake."

He grasped Victor's index finger and unhesitatingly broke it like a stick.

CRACK!

"AAAHHHH! My finger!"

Victor screamed like a monkey and thrashed about. However, no matter how strong he was, he could never get Benjamin's grip off his hand.

"James, why are you just standing there and watching?! Help me deal with this!" Victor raged.

James Glenn seemed to wake up from his reverie. He immediately moved, raised his hand, and punched Benjamin in the face.

However, such a punch was seen in very slow motion in Benjamin's eyes.

He shook his head while quietly laughing to himself, "This guy is such a sissy. Judging by that punch, he probably hasn't learned any martial arts in his life."

Benjamin easily pulled Victor forward, making the old man's face a substitute target for James' fist.

BAM!

Victor staggered backward. He could not fall to the floor as he should have because his hands were still firmly gripped by Benjamin.

"James, what the hell? Why'd you smack my face?!" Victor fought to contain his escalating anger. James' hands trembled as he took a few steps back, clearly feeling guilty.

"I... I didn't mean it, Mr. Kane. This little bastard deliberately used your face as his shield!" James pointed accusingly at Benjamin, spewing a barrage of curses.