29The intensity of the situation escalated with each passing second. Darien could feel the eyes of the crowd on them, the air thick with tension.Suddenly, Lavinia appeared at Darien's side. Her presence was like a calm in the storm, her gaze fixed on Marcella and Bennett. "Is there a problem here?" she asked, her voice cool and collected.Marcella, taken aback by Lavinia's sudden appearance, hesitated for a moment. Her anger, however, quickly returned. "Your friend here seems to think he can just walk into people without consequence."Lavinia arched an eyebrow, her stance protective beside Darien. "An accident, from what I saw. And already apologized for."Bennett's anger seemed to grow, his breaths coming in short, rapid bursts. "This isn't over," he hissed, his eyes locked on Darien.Darien met Bennett's gaze, his own eyes unflinching. "If you're looking for trouble, you won't find it here. Not tonight."As the tension between Darien and Marcella escalated, the crowd at the mayor'
30As the mayor announced the opening of the buffet, the atmosphere in the room shifted from tense to eager anticipation. Despite this, Darien and Lavinia stood apart, a shared look of concern passing between them. Darien's brow furrowed as he watched the guests begin to move towards the food."Something doesn't feel right," Darien murmured to Lavinia, his voice barely above a whisper. Lavinia nodded, her eyes scanning the room. "I agree. It's better to be cautious. Let's skip the food for now."Their decision to abstain from eating was met with curious glances from some of the other guests, but Darien and Lavinia remained steadfast. They found a quiet corner to observe the room, their backs against the wall, providing them a clear view of the entire hall. As time passed, the room filled with the sound of lively conversations and laughter. People were enjoying the feast, completely unaware of the potential danger that Darien and Lavinia suspected.Then, about fifteen minutes after t
31As the guests at the gala began to make their way out, their expressions a mix of relief and lingering fear, Darien and Lavinia watched from the sidelines. They had become inadvertent heroes, a status that sat uncomfortably on Darien's shoulders. Marcella and Bennett, looking considerably weakened but alive, made their slow approach toward the exit. Their eyes met Darien's, and instead of gratitude, there was a flicker of the same disdain they had always shown him. "You think you're some kind of hero now, huh?" Marcella sneered, her voice weak but dripping with contempt. Despite her condition, she managed to stand tall, her pride seemingly untouched by the ordeal.Darien, caught off guard by her harshness, was momentarily speechless. He had braced for some bitterness, but her hostility caught him off guard.Lavinia, unable to contain her frustration, stepped up, her fists balled in anger. "He saved your ungrateful lives. The least you could do is say 'thank you," she retorted, he
32Lavinia, who had been quietly observing, noticed the shift in Darien's demeanor. "What was that about?" she asked, curiosity piqued.Darien shared the gist of his conversation with Ashton, and Lavinia's eyes widened in amazement and concern. "This could be it, Darien. But it sounds dangerous. Are you sure about this?"He nodded, determination setting in. "I have to try. It's a chance to get back everything I've lost."They made their way outside the gala hall to wait for Ashton's contact. Night had fallen, bringing a chill to the air. Darien shoved his hands in his pockets and paced, deep in thought. Lavinia watched him with a frown. "You seem troubled, beyond just this mission."Darien sighed. "It's been a long day. Dealing with the Smith family, then the poisoning. I just feel..." He struggled to find the words."Used? Betrayed?" Lavinia offered gently. Darien stopped pacing and leaned against the building, rubbing his eyes. "Both. All Cersei wanted was my miney for her gain. T
33All eyes turned towards the source, and a collective gasp swept through the crowd. "Gosh! She's so gorgeous!"A stunningly beautiful girl stepped forward, commanding attention. Her long, ebony hair cascaded down her back, and her emerald-green eyes shimmered with a powerful resolve. Dressed in a tailored business suit that accentuated her slender figure, she exuded an aura of authority and elegance. She ignored the others and walked directly towards Darien.The men, momentarily stunned, hesitated in their tracks. They exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond to this unexpected turn of events. The girl approached Darien, her eyes locked with his."Are you Darien French?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm.Darien, caught off guard by her sudden appearance, managed to nod, his gaze still wary. "Yes, I am. Who are you?"With a polite smile, she extended her hand. "I'm Amelia Fairchild from the Fairchild family in the mobile city of Aetherhaven."A wave of surprise rippled throug
34"Camila, please," Amelia began, her voice laced with a plea, "give him a chance. Grandfather's situation is dire, and if sir French can offer any hope—"Camila cut her off, her arms still firmly crossed, her stance unyielding. "Hope? From him?" She scoffed, her disbelief hanging heavy in the air. "Fine. If he's as miraculous as you claim, let's see him diagnose something. Anything." Her eyes, fierce and challenging, locked onto Darien's.Camilla was certainly younger than Amelia, but she has a formidable presence.Darien, although slightly taken aback by the sudden challenge, nodded slowly. "Alright. If that's what it takes to earn your trust."Camila smirked, a mix of arrogance and curiosity painting her features. "This should be good. Go on then, 'Doctor' French. Impress me."Darien stepped closer, the room's tension palpable. He could feel the eyes of everyone present boring into him, skepticism, and a hint of desperation mingling in the air. He reached out, his hand hovering mo
35Darien sighed, the weight of centuries of skepticism and misunderstanding pressing down on him in that moment. "I know how it sounds. But you saw the improvement in your grandfather's condition. Isn't that what truly matters?"Amelia bit her lip, her mind racing. The doubt was there, but so was the undeniable evidence of her grandfather's eased suffering. She glanced at Camila, whose face was a tumult of confusion and defiance, then back at Darien. "But why didn't you tell us sooner? About... this Qi healing?"Darien's gaze softened, and he gently withdrew his hands from the old man. "Because not everyone is ready to believe. And sometimes, disbelief can hinder the healing process more than help."Camila scoffed, rolling her eyes in a clear display of frustration and disbelief. "So, what now? This... Qi healing is supposed to cure him completely?"Darien shook his head, a solemn expression overtaking his features. "No, Camila. While I've managed to ease his discomfort and improve h
36In the tense atmosphere that had engulfed the room, Camila’s eyes flitted nervously between Amelia and Dr. Peregrine. She swallowed hard, her voice a mere whisper as she leaned closer to her sister. “Amelia, maybe... maybe we should listen. What if... what if something goes wrong?”Amelia, her jaw set and fists clenched so tight her knuckles were white, shot Camila a look of disbelief. “How can you say that now? After everything, we’ve seen?” Despite her defiant words, a sliver of doubt began to creep into her heart.The doctors surrounding them, sensing Amelia’s hesitance, chimed in, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of concern and professional insistence. “It’s for the best...” “Please reconsider...” “We’re here to help...”Amelia felt the weight of their words, each one like a blow to her resolve. She wavered, torn between her faith in Darien’s unconventional methods and the tangible authority of the medical professionals before her.Just then, Dr. Peregrine, sensing the s