Chapter Five.

Leo felt insulted by Declan's attitude and couldn't hide his hate any further. He walked up to where Declan stood and took the paper from him, folded it and tucked it into his chest pocket. 

"What if I told you I don't believe any single word you've uttered from your mouth?" Leo started to walk back to Mandy, his hands clenched together at his back as he spoke. 

"And I don't mean only your claim that you trained on your own. But also the whole facade you pulled on about being a doctor and scamming this desperate woman into falling for your tricks."

He looked up to Declan, meeting  his eyes. "You know what I think? I think you're an imposter and a quack who just showed up for a high pay. I'm not sorry to blow your cover but will ask nicely just this once, that you leave before I disgrace and make you lose what's left of your dignity."

A dead silence came after Leo's last word. Declan smirked and shook his head disparagingly at Leo's attitude.

He picked up the fact that Leo was insecure but didn't understand why.

They both were there for the same goal which is to make Grandpa Asher better.  His attitude only confirmed to Declan that his skill was just as average as his looks.

Declan wasn't going to say one word to Leo and Mandy knew it. Even the way he had just turned away to help himself with the gloves made it clear.

Leo's chest was already beginning to rise and fall in vex. He had expected some other type of reaction from Declan, definitely not what he got. How dare he make him look like a fool? 

The atmosphere had gotten hotter than Mandy expected.

She stepped up to Leo and took his hand, trying to calm him down. "I don't see why this should be a subject of objection. I have seen Declan practice and trust me, I wouldn't bring him here if he wasn't good enough."

She turned to her grandpa, her eyes filled with striking emotions of pain and uncertainty. "All I want is for him to be okay. I don't mind bringing the whole doctor in New York in here if need be, no matter the cost."

Mandy's words didn't make Leo feel any better but worse. If he was to work with someone else, it should be someone with standards. He found it humiliating that he had to compete with a man way below his level. 

Leo freed his hand from Mandy's hold and walked up to the patient just in time before Declan could do the same. If it was a freaking competition, then he wasn't going to let anyone beat him.

Declan stepped back and simply watched him do his thing. 

Leo proceeded to do a series of tests and examinations. After about 30 minutes, he turned to Mandy who was already at the edge of her seat. 

"Is he really dying?" Mandy asked, her voice filled with emotions. Reading Leo's eyes, she could tell it was something serious. 

"He was poisoned. It's a very strong poison and sadly, it has eaten deep into his system "

"Oh my God." Mandy held her face in terror."Tell me there's an antidote for the poison. Please tell me he will get better once he takes it" Her voice was beginning to break. Her eyes turned red from tears prickle. 

"Yes, there's an antidote for his condition, but a very rare one." Leo stated. We should begin the search right away. 

Mandy turned to Declan, casting a pleading gaze on him. "What do you think, Declan?"

"He's right. Your grandpa was poisoned obviously. "

Declan's remark stung Leo's ego and the scowl on his face showed it. There was no way he could tell that the old man was poisoned without doing any examinations.

Contempt flashed through Leo's eyes.  He wasn't going to let Declan have the moment so he stepped forward and cleared his throat. 

"There's a way out though. I mean since the antidote will take a while to get to us" Leo stated and completely gained Mandy's attention back.

"Oh thank Goodness. What will it cost?" 

"Uhm... nothing besides some herbs and the skills of a good physician like myself. He flashed a cock smile. "Come take a look"

Mandy moved closer and he showed her on his tablet different wild herbs, giving details of what they can cure. He derived pride on how attentive Mandy was and ceased the opportunity to showcase his outstanding knowledge in medicine. 

"Now these three mixed together in a syrup will do the magic. I will send for them to be brought in right away." He went on to enlighten Mandy more on how the herbs work and assured her that it will hold up her Grandpa till they find the antidote. 

Declan was at the far end of the room while everything went on, a part of him wanted to trust what Leo pitched but his experience taught him to know better. 

After some time, a box delivery, containing 3 herbs came in. They looked exactly how they appeared in the picture Leo showed and that kept Mandy's hope firm. 

"Let me get started." Leo announced and went into the next room that served as a mini laboratory. He began to prepare the herbs while Mandy stayed out with Declan.

Leo joined them after some moments with a mini jar containing green mixtures in the form of a syrup. 

"Now it's time."

He took a spoon full and was about to apply it on grandpa Asher.

 "Wait!" Declan's hoarse voice interrupted. "Take that mixture away from him unless you intend to have him dead this instant!"