Logan's laughter abruptly ceased, his expression turned serious. Disregarding Mr. Nicholson's veiled attempts at manipulation, he replied, "I was reminiscing about some amusing incidents from my time at the hospital. But, Mr. Nicholson, my resolve is firm and unwavering. No amount of monetary enticement can sway me. My decision remains resolute and unyielding."
"You..." Mr. Nicholson's scoff was barely audible. "Your idealism blinds you. Just because of your personal woes, you're willing to sacrifice your livelihood. Understand this, individuals like you seldom thrive in reality. I, for one, harbor a bleak outlook, yet I wish you well." Logan smiled in response, his composure unruffled. "Your sentiments are appreciated," he acknowledged graciously. As Logan exited the Human Resources office, he turned abruptly and collided unintentionally with an elderly woman. "Hey, do you even have eyes?!" At first, rage blazed in the old woman's eyes, but it swiftly cooled into a look of disdain as she realized Logan was the one who caused the accident. "Damn it, you're back, you worthless son-in-law! You just crashed into me, didn't you see?" The old woman exclaimed, brushing at her clothes that had brushed against Logan's body. "How disgusting! Scum like you shouldn't even touch my expensive clothes." Logan shrugged off the insult, his surprise piqued by the unexpected encounter with the elderly woman before him. "Mother-in-law, what brings you here? Are you undergoing treatment for cancer?" Logan asked, genuine concern coloring his words. "Hmph, watch your words!" Emily snapped at her son-in-law once more. "I'm here to talk to you." "Me?" Logan pointed at himself. "What do you need me for?" "To hand this over to you," Emily replied, pulling a document from her briefcase. "These are your divorce papers with Ariana. I expect you to sign them immediately." Logan was silent for a moment before he spoke. "Mother, you must have already known about Ariana's affair." "I've known, but I don't see Ariana's actions as an affair. What she did was quite understandable, given your failure as a husband. So let me warn you if you keep bringing up this 'affair,' you might face consequences," Emily threatened, pointing her index finger sharply at Logan's face. Emily's threat carried little substance; it was a mere attempt to intimidate Logan, fueled by her concern that Ariana's divorce could damage the family's reputation. The Scott family enjoyed a respectable reputation and significant standing in Southriver Hill, largely thanks to Ariana's contributions. Ariana's renown stemmed from both her striking beauty and her successful career in the medical field. The combination of intelligence and allure rendered her highly esteemed and sought after in the eyes of many. So far, several eligible suitors from respected families had shown interest in Ariana. Yet, Emily steadfastly dismissed them all, holding out hope for a proposal from a suitor belonging to one of the top 10 families in the city for her daughter. As for Logan, Emily didn't entertain the idea of him as a potential suitor for Ariana at all. If it hadn't been for Ariana's infatuation during her college years, their marriage would never have happened. "I won't accept or sign these divorce papers unless Ariana delivers them to me herself," Logan stated firmly, his determination clear. "Why would Ariana bother meeting with a loser like you?" Emily snorted disdainfully, her anger evident in the flush of her cheeks. "Listen, Ariana is currently treating Bruno Winchester and has no time or interest in meeting with you." "I am her husband, not Bruno," Logan affirmed with unwavering resolve. Although Logan harbors an intense aversion to acknowledging Ariana as his wife any longer, the fact remains that they have yet to finalize their divorce. This realization seemed to strike a nerve with Emily, whose disdain for the situation was unmistakable. Her visage twisted with deep-seated disgust, not only did she audibly snort, but she also spat vehemently upon the ground, her countenance contorting with unabashed revulsion. "Aren't you ashamed to claim the title of Ariana's husband? Look at yourself before you speak! Compared to Bruno, you're nothing. You're just a lowly janitor with no potential, while Bruno is a doctor on the verge of being promoted to head manager at this hospital," Emily insulted mercilessly. "And let's not forget, Bruno is the eldest son of the esteemed Winchester family. In a few years, he'll inherit their entire fortune and provide Ariana with everything she desires. Can you offer the same?" "I have no desire to emulate that scoundrel," Logan shook his head resolutely. "All I ask is for Ariana to personally hand me these divorce papers, without any intermediaries." Emily's derision is evident, she retrieved her phone with a scoff, purposefully dialing Ariana's number, insisting on her immediate presence at their current location. Shortly thereafter, Ariana arrived, not alone but in the company of her younger brother, who had tagged along unexpectedly. "That damn bastard, let me pound his face until it's a mess!" James, Ariana's younger brother, quickened his pace, fists clenched tightly as if nursing a long-held grudge against Logan. In stark contrast, Logan betrayed no hint of fear. He remained composed, his gaze unwavering as James closed in, his expression cool and impassive. In the blink of an eye, James surged forward, his fist hurtling toward Logan's face with swift, unbridled aggression. His hands clenched tightly, the blow propelled like a sledgehammer, aimed to land with relentless force. SWUNG! Logan observed the scene unfolding before him with startling clarity, yet inexplicably, all movements seemed to decelerate in his perception. DING! [System detected a direct and intentional threat to the host's body] [Activating ultra-protection device!] [Speed increased by 30%] [Visibility increased by 50%] [Combat instinct increased by 80%] [Martial arts module: {MMA} successfully added] [Active time: 10 minutes] An electric current surged from The Black Mask nestled in his pocket, coursing through his blood vessels and intricate nerves before surging directly into his brain. At that moment, Logan felt as though he had snapped out of a trance. A surge of knowledge flooded his mind, as if an MMA martial arts module had been uploaded, granting him a miraculous understanding of almost all martial arts techniques. Not only that, but his body also surged with boundless energy, imbuing Logan with a sensation that he could move as swiftly as, or perhaps even faster than, light itself. "I'm ready for a fight!" Logan agilely leaped to the right, evading the oncoming punch with lightning speed and precision. His movements were fluid and precise, his body resembling a fleeting shadow as he darted away. In the blink of an eye, he found himself standing behind James, his sudden displacement as swift and seamless as a whisper in the wind. "Got you!"Logan sprang into action with remarkable swiftness, effortlessly evading James' onslaught with a grace that seemed to blur his form against the backdrop of the battlefield. His movements were fluid and agile, weaving through the attacks with razor-sharp reflexes, akin to a shadow dancing on the edge of oblivion.Every motion he made was imbued with such precision and swiftness that it challenged the naked eye's ability to perceive.Despite his relentless barrage, James persisted in launching his assaults with unyielding fervor, his face marked by frustration and exasperation at his inability to land a blow on Logan.With each failed attempt, James felt increasingly cornered, compounded by the realization that his adversary's elusive agility remained beyond his grasp, leaving him futilely grasping at shadows in the struggle.With the help of the system, Logan not only knew every single move he had to perform, but he was also able to practice them flawlessly.It was as if his muscles ha
Logan extended his hand and carefully picked up the sleek, metallic pen from the polished wooden table, and, with a steady and unwavering hand, meticulously signed the official divorce papers at the bottom, precisely beside the clearly marked line designated for his signature."Everything will end here," Logan thought to himself. "The ink strokes on this paper signify a truly new chapter in my life."He signed the papers swiftly and decisively, without a moment's hesitation or second thought. Then, with a somber and contemplative expression, he handed the finalized document back to Emily, who stood waiting across from him, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions.Emily took the document with quick movements, almost as if she couldn't believe Logan would actually sign it. Surprise and disbelief were evident on Ariana's face. Her forehead furrowed as she stared sharply at Logan.She thought, "I was prepared for Logan to kneel and kiss my feet just to get me to call off his divorce from A
Logan zipped through the city streets on his electric scooter, a newfound determination glinting in his eyes. The hospital incident had been a turning point, pushing him to turn a fresh page in his life. He was headed to Dragon Valley, the most exclusive neighborhood in Southriver Hill.Logan arrived and parked his scooter in front of a grand real estate agency, its glass windows and luxurious decor exuding opulence.Entering the office, Logan immediately sensed a cold, dismissive atmosphere. The staff eyed him with disdain, judging his modest appearance and his scooter. To them, someone like him couldn't possibly afford even the cheapest home in Dragon Valley.Logan ignored their looks and walked confidently to the reception desk, clearing his throat. "Good morning," he said firmly. "I'd like to see the most luxurious residence you have."The receptionist, a young woman with neatly tied blonde hair, raised her eyebrows and looked at Logan as if he were joking. "You're not fooling, s
Logan frowned, feeling uncomfortable with this sudden situation. Shania looked at him with a caring gaze, as if trying to understand any doubts he might have."Logan, you should not hesitate to work with me," Shania said in a soft yet firm voice. "If you have any doubts about the salary I'll give you, don't worry. I can make sure you get at least five thousand dollars a month."Logan shook his head slowly. "Thank you, Ms. Moore, but right now I still want to recuperate after my divorce. I want to spend my savings on fun before I go back to work."Shania looked at Logan with a mixture of pity and admiration. She still saw this ordinary man in front of her as The Masked Doctor, the hero who had saved her life. In her heart, she felt a great debt of gratitude. Slowly, an idea came to her mind.Shania muttered in her mind, 'I can buy this man a decent house in return. Perhaps, it will lighten the burden of guilt in my heart a little.'Logan, what is your purpose in coming here? Do you int
Logan settled into the plush seat of Shania’s sleek black sedan, the car’s engine purring softly as they pulled away from the real estate agency. They followed the agent’s car toward Block A in Dragon Valley, the anticipation palpable between them. Shania stole occasional glances at Logan, her unease growing as they neared their destination.Block A was renowned for its opulent residences, homes with sprawling modern designs perched majestically on the hillside. As they entered the neighborhood, Shania’s eyes flitted from one grand house to another. Each residence seemed more impressive than the last, from classic mansions with imposing columns to contemporary marvels of glass and steel, complete with infinity pools and manicured gardens.A tightness grew in Shania’s chest. The magnitude of the homes around them was overwhelming, and the thought of presenting one of these extravagant properties to Logan filled her with doubt. What if Logan wasn’t The Masked Doctor, the enigmatic figur
"Huh?"Logan instinctively recoiled as the man's lips hovered mere millimeters from the tip of his shoe."Sir, please spare my life!" The salesman pleaded desperately, his voice cracking with fear. As Logan stepped back, the man abruptly began banging his own head on the ground three times, blood streaming down his forehead and face.Tears mingled with blood as the salesman continued, his voice choked with remorse, "I have eyes, yet I cannot see your greatness clearly! I have committed a grave error and deserve severe punishment from you!"The salesman appeared utterly despondent, having encountered a millionaire only to offend him in a deeply immoral manner.Meanwhile, Logan's facial expression remained largely unchanged."Stop your nonsense," Logan said flatly. "You've injured yourself; don't expect me to bear responsibility for your foolishness."The salesman lifted his face, gazing earnestly at Logan, his expression tinged with confusion."But, Master, I humiliated you earlier..."
"Mr. Marx's affliction stemmed not from his heart, but from an altogether different source."As those words were spoken, all eyes turned confidently towards Logan as he made his approach."My grandmother suffered from the very symptoms you're experiencing, Mr. Marx," Logan said deliberately. "All it took was a cup of warm ginger, and her ailment vanished for good. It's worth a try now."Logan spoke with unwavering confidence and conviction, his words resonating as though they came from the mouth of a seasoned physician, instilling assurance in those around him.Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Shania's attention became captivated by Logan. Her eyes, usually serene and observant, now held a glint of fascination and curiosity as they remained fixed on him. It was as if she was drawn to his presence, his confidence echoing in her mind, mingling with her own thoughts and impressions. She found herself increasingly intrigued by his words and demeanor, a subtle admiration beginning
Logan meticulously examined John Marx. His breathing was barely audible, and his heartbeat was weakening further. John lay with a pale complexion and cold to the touch, intensifying the already ominous atmosphere surrounding them.Logan felt confusion enveloping him as he assessed John's critical condition. Suddenly, a transparent screen materialized before him, emanating from The Masked Doctor system.DING![System detects genuine kindness from the host][System grants knowledge module named Acupressure!]An intense electric current surged into Logan's head, rapidly spreading and branching throughout the intricate network of his brain. This sudden surge of energy ignited a searing, burning sensation that flooded his mind, overwhelming his senses and causing him to stagger unsteadily for a moment, fighting to regain his balance.With his eyes tightly closed, Logan could feel an overwhelming flood of information about the ancient practice of acupressure pouring into his consciousness.