CHapter 202
“So you also know things about burns, Professor Calvin.” ra said.
Calvin smiled mysteriously and gave Ulrich a reassuring pat on the shoulder, “I haven’t personally
researched it, but I know someone who can make sure Ms. Gruber won’t have a scar from that
burn. Let me reach out to her.”
Ulrich knew that if Calvin vouched for someone, they had to be good. “Alright, I’ll wait for the great
news from you, Professor Calvin. And if your friend requires a hefty fee for the treatment, just let me
know. Ms. Gruber might not have the funds right now,” he imed.
“No worries, my friend charges fairly.” Calvin said.
Noe rolled her eyes at Calvin’s grimace and focused elsewhere.
Healing Malvina’s burn was an easy task; she just needed to whip up a salve in theb when she
had a moment.
ra wrapped an arm around Noe’s shoulder and clicked tongue in amazement.
“Noe, do you think Ulrich got a screw loose or something? Is he, um, ying phnthropist?”
And he was even offering to cover medical expenses, which was totally out of character.
Noe nodded, “Maybe he feels guilty about almost hurting Malvina?”
“Ha! Guilty? As if he knows the meaning of the word. That’s something Stirling had wiped out ages
ago!”
Ulrich bopped ra on the head and then tenderly ruffled Noe’s hair.
“Don’t lead Noe astray. And don’t listen to your sister’s nonsense, Noe! I just feel bad for her,
nothing more.” He said.
“Oh, please. There are plenty of people to pity. Why don’t you pay their medical bills?”
“Don’t make me give you a whooping at the hospital, ra!”
ra and Ulrich wanted to fight each other, but they were careful not to hurt Noe. Also, theynd
their blows so softly. Watching that, Noe felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
Lavinia, pushing Lucian in his wheelchair, appeared down the hall.
ra swiftly skated behind Lucian and tattled with theatrical ir, “Grandpa Lucian, Ulrich hit me!
The heartless doctor has no medical ethics–reporting him!”
Lucian could tell Ulrich was just fooling around with ra and shook his head in exasperation,
turning to Calvin, “Professor Calvin, how’s my grandson doing?”
“He’s stable for now. Would you like to see him?”
“Of course, I have to check on him. With his parents abroad, so I’d never forgive myself if
something went wrong!”
Lucian then looked at ra and Noe, “You girls shoulde in with me, okay?”
Noe knew Lucian wanted ra to spend some time with the patient inside since the eldest
grandson of Richardson was also a cousin of ra’s.
ra nodded, “Sure, we’ll join you.”
“Well, so sorry to trouble you guys,” Lavinia said with a helpless smile.
She had been unwell, and her condition had worsenedst year, nearly proving fatal. Lucian, after
much deliberation and consultation with Marcel, chose not to burden Lavinia with the news.
Lucian patted ra’s hand, aplex mix of emotions flickering across his face as he hesitated to
say something.
He knew how cruel it was not to tell Lavinia the truth, but the risk of stimting her brain was too
great.
With a heavy sigh, Lucian said, “Let’s go in.”
Inside the hospital room, Lorne Richardson, surrounded by a tangle of tubes, tried to move his
fingers at the sight of Lucian.
“Just rest easy, the important thing is you’re okay. You nearly gave me a heart attack.” Lucian said.
Standing by the bed, Calvin whispered to Noe, “He’s doing well with all his vitals stable, and the
operation was a sess.”
Noe nodded slightly, “Got it. Call me if anything changes. I’ll handle it.”
“You sure you don’t want to tell Ulrich? Carrying all this credit around makes my back
ache.” Calvin said.
“If you don’t want the credit, next time I’ll find someone else.”
Calvin’s grin was wide enough to split his face. His name would be on the department’s
commendations for the next three years at least, so he wouldn’t give up this credit.
Noe nced at Lorne on the bed, “Show me the vital stats report, and let’s give the room back to
Grandpa Lucian and others.”
Calvin followed Noe out, clearing the way for the Richardson family.
Hearing his familiar voice, Lorne’s fingers twitched again.
At the Schnabel Manor in Phoenix Tower, a gemstone gambling event had concluded. The
11:22
Schnabel family’s status in the gemstone market was now unchallenged, so Beckett’s face
was alight with a radiant smile.
And just thinking about the profit brought by half of the gemstone market made Beckett’s mood
soar.
Plus, with the Gruber family’s bankruptcy, his spirits lifted even higher and he was satisfied with
Ulrich’s efficiency.
Master Hector lounged in the living room with Yasbel kneading his shoulders.
“Put some muscle into it. Haven’t you eaten?” he quipped.
“No, I’m an actress; I have to maintain my figure. Don’t you get it?”
“Forget that! Don’t you know that eating well is a blessing? And calling yourself an actress for that
little gig? Ridiculous! You’ve squandered the skills I taught you!”
Yasbel, fuming,nded a heavy punch on Master Hector’s shoulder and plopped down beside him.
Acting was her dream, and she knew Master Hector would give her a hard time for it.
Stirling blinked, understandingly stepped in to massage Master Hector, and nced at Yasbel,
whom he had coborated with several times.
“Is Yasbel your apprentice, Hector?” he asked.
Master Hector was chuckling heartily as Stirling applied the massage, and his affection for the
Schnabel n was growing by the minute, “No way, no way. I’m not acknowledging that kid as my
apprentice.”
Within the Pris Star collective, the term ‘apprenticeship‘ was more about legacy than tutge.
The elder ones raised the new generation to pass down a lifetime of knowledge and skill.
But Yasbel, poor thing, just wasn’t cut out for the gem game.
Whether it was Master Hector and Yasbel, or Master Killian and Ivan, they never admitted to any
master–apprentice rtionship in public. It was more of a mentorship than anything formal.
Tristan was also in high spirits. He chucked away as he said, “We owe you one today, Master
Hector. All your expenses while you’re in Imperial City are on the Schnabel family.” “No problem!
Speaking of which, where’s your daughter? I saw her yesterday and I think she’s got a knack for this
gem business. Let’s see if she’s willing to learn a thing or two from me!” Hector said.
The folks from the Schnabel family looked at Master Hector in sheer astonishment.
After all, Hector was a legend among the old–school Gemstone Gamblers. The high–quality
gems he had a hand in were countless, and the Schnabels had their fair share of stones that
came from his magic touch.
Noe stood at the doorway, watching Hector with a resigned expression.
“I’m not interested. I’ve got a lot on my te and no time for gem gambling. You can go now; your
hotel is all arranged.” She said.
Hector turned to see Noe and met her warning gaze with a mischievous grin, “Aw,e on,
didn’t I see you crack open a fine stone yesterday? I sense some real talent there!”
“Just beginner’s luck.” Noe knew Hector just couldn’t resist showing off. Seeing Master Killian
openly acknowledge his mentorship with her made Hector antsy.
Yet she wasn’t ready to reveal her gem gambling prowess to the Schnabel family just yet.
Hector had been waiting for Noe’s return, and now that she was back, he was content.
The Schnabels feared Master Hector’s displeasure, and Tristan also quickly shot up, “Master
Hector, Noe didn’t mean any disrespect. It’s just she truly doesn’t get the whole gem thing. It’s
just a kid’s beginner’s luck. We appreciate your kind offer, but let’s just say Noe isn’t keen. Maybe
we can discuss this some other time?”
Tristan wouldn’t dream of making his daughter do something she disliked. Since Noe had
expressed disinterest, he wasn’t about to push her into it.
Hector nced at Tristan.
As a father, he seemed just alright. He was definitely more reliable than thest one.
Master Hector looked away and waved at Noe, “Alright, I’m off. Left you a little something, and
don’t forget to open it!” N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.