Chapter 5

Jessica faces an heartbreaking decision as her grandfather, Joseph, has been declared dead by the esteemed Master Christopher and the doctors present. 

Liam, Jessica’s newly hired assistant and arranged fiancé, boldly claims that he can save Joseph, despite the disbelief and mockery from everyone, including Jessica’s assistant Cynthia and Gabriel, a man asking for Jessica’s hand in marriage.

Jessica is torn between hope and doubt.

Jessica's gaze locked onto Liam’s determined expression.

Despite the insults and doubt from Cynthia, Gabriel and Christopher, Jessica decided to let him try.

“He has been announced dead already, what more harm can be done.” She thinks to herself.

"Let him try," Jessica said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“What???” Cynthia exclaimed.

“Miss Matthew, consider the expert, we can't …..” Jessica raised a hand silencing her secretary.

She walked up to him.

“Are you sure you can bring him back?” Jessica asked Liam again.

“The dragon needle are tested and proven.” Liam responded.

I need straight answers. "Can you bring him back?" She asked firmly.

"We have a few more minutes Miss Matthew, we need to start now."

Out of desperation. "You may proceed."

Master Christopher and Dr. Michael exchanged glances.

 "Miss Matthew, we've tried everything possible," Master Christopher said interrupting him.

"I know," Jessica replied,"but Mr miller's approach can't hurt now. You've both done everything possible."

"you can start your treatment Mr Miller." she said giving room for him.

Liam stepped forward, a quiet confidence could be felt from him.

He brought out a box from his rugged bag and opened it, he brought out seven rusty needles then arranged it in the weathered leather cloth which he brought out from his bag. The needles are called the dragon set.

Liam's hands moved carefully, despite the mocking and piercing eyes surrounding him watching  his movement.

From his weathered leather cloth, he took a slender needle and jiggled it.

"What is this, a circus act?" Master Christopher scoffed, arms crossed.

Liam ignored him, his focus was solely on Joseph. With utmost care, he placed the needle on the tip of Joseph's nose.

The room gasped. "There's no recognized acupoint there!" Dr. Michael exclaimed.

Christopher snorted. "Random placement. This is quackery."

“I knew he was a quak.” Cynthia muttered to herself.

But then, unexpectedly the unthinkable happened. The vital signs monitor sprang to life, beeping steadily.

“Reflex, it does not mean anything.” Cynthia waves her hands dismissively.

Christopher agreed with Cynthia's theory. "It is a reflex that occurs when the soul is about to leave the body."

 But Jessica saw it, a flicker of life. Her grandfather's face regained its natural hue, and his fingers twitched slightly.

"A miracle?" Jessica whispered ignoring the negative statement Cynthia and Christopher were making.

Jessica is filled with hope as she sees her grandfather’s face regaining color and his fingers twitching slightly.

Liam’s eyes met hers, she looked at him with joy and gratefullness.

"Temporary revival, nothing more. Joseph's vital signs will plummet again."Master Christopher scoffed, arms crossed.

Despite the visible improvement, Christopher stubbornly insists that this is merely a temporary sign of life, a final momentary recovery before Joseph's inevitable death. 

Liam's calm expression countered Christopher's feeling of contempt.

 "My grandfather's life force is returning. The Dragon Needles are working. "Jessica exclaimed happily."

A scrowl could be seen on Gabriel's face.

With caution and accuracy, Liam inserted the remaining six needles completing the dragon treatment.

Joseph's vital signs continued to regulate and are now stable,but his eyes remained closed.

“Why is he Still unconscious? still paralyzed? Mr miller." Gabriel’s scornful tone filled the air.

Jessica looks at Liam expecting an answer.

"Master Christopher was able to get him to sit up, but you claim to have save him but he is not awake."

Gabriel, still doubtful, mocks Liam's efforts, pointing out that Joseph hasn’t yet regained consciousness and hasn’t even sat up, unlike during Christopher’s failed attempt.

His doubts begin to affect Jessica, who has already been emotionally strained by the day’s events, making her question whether Joseph has truly been saved or if Liam's actions are merely delaying the inevitable

Jessica's little hope began to fray. "What if...what if it's just a temporary reprieve? What if they were right about him.” she muttered to herself.

Jessica really hopes his method works.

Liam’s calm demeanor remained ."He was able to get him to sit up but could not save him life." He said shutting Gabriekl up.

" His life force is returning. Joseph's vital signs......"

"It is meaningless without consciousness," Christopher interrupted feeling insulted from Liam's last statement.

 Their doubts begin to affect Jessica, who has already been emotionally strained by the day’s events, she begin to question whether Joseph has truly been saved or if Liam's actions are merely delaying the inevitable.