Ch. 561..570
Chapter 561
Thea shook her head and said, “We’ll talk about it after James’ case is over.”
“Sure, of course.” Gladys stood up and pulled Benjamin away, smiling. “Thea, take a rest. Your father and I will be at the hospital visiting your brother.”
“Mhm.”
Thea nodded.
After Gladys and Benjamin left, Thea looked at Quincy and sighed in dejection. “Quincy, do you think I’m too heartless? After all, since he married into the Callahans, he’s worked tirelessly without a single complaint. Besides, he treats me really well. Now that something’s happened to him, I’m thinking of divorcing him.”
Quincy did not know what to say.
From her perspective, she really hoped for Thea and James to divorce.
However, as Thea’s best friend, she did not wish for them to separate.
“I thought James was an honest and upright man. I don’t mind him spending money on hookers, but did he have to commit such a crime? I can’t forgive him.” Thea said.
“Mhm.”
As Quincy did not know what to say, she went along with Thea. In a ward at the city hospital…
David had been admitted to the hospital for a few days.
He had recovered after the surgery. However, he needed time to completely recuperate. He would not be getting out of the hospital anytime soon.
David was on the bed, while Alyssa took care of him.
At that moment, Gladys and Benjamin walked in, talking and laughing. David was puzzled. “Mom, what made you so happy?”
“That b*stard James raped a teenage girl and was caught by the police. His trial’s the day after tomorrow. He’ll be spending the rest of his life in prison. That way, Thea can finally divorce him and marry a rich guy. Finally, I get to have a decent son-in-law.”
“What?”
David exclaimed with a loud voice.
“James raped a teenage girl? You have to be kidding me. There’s no way he would do such a thing,”
Gladys said, “It’s true. He’s been arrested. Everyone’s talking about it now.”
“Impossible. How could this be?”
David was in disbelief.
James was the Black Dragon, a paramount existence standing at the top of the power pyramid.
He was the guardian of Sol.
How could he have committed such a crime?
“Mom, are you telling me the truth?”
“Of course.” Gladys pulled her phone out and showed David a short clip. “Look! He was recorded by the reporters. Who is this if not James? Do you see the girl lying on the bed? She’s the rape victim.”
“I”
David was dumbfounded.
He could not believe it.
Alyssa was gloating, “Thank goodness he’s arrested. Ever since he married into the Callahans, there has not been a single day of peace.” “Shut up.” David scolded her, “What do you know? Without James, our family would have been ruined a long time ago.”
David could not believe it.
He trusted James.
To be more precise, he trusted the Black Dragon. There had to be something else going on here. “Mom, is Thea really going to divorce James?” David asked. “Of course,” Gladys said. “What? Do you want your sister to wait for him for another twenty years? Thea’s twenty-eight already. She’ll be almost fifty twenty years later. There’s just no
way.”
“Mom, James…” David opened his mouth. However, he immediately shut it. James never revealed his identity even after marrying into the Callahans for so long. He must have had his reasons.
David suppressed the urge to blabber. He believed James was innocent and would soon be acquitted. Knowing that James was the Black Dragon, there was nothing he was worried about.
Chapter 562
Thea had been thinking of divorce ever since James got arrested.
She planned to divorce him after he was found guilty.
She was not even twenty–eight years of age and was in the prime of her life. She did not wish to wait for James for the rest of her life. She would be old by the time James got released from prison. She did not wish to live with regrets.
She knew she had let James down. It was because of her that James did not manage to suppress his desire and went down the wrong path.
However, since it had already happened, there was no use blaming herself. Meanwhile, James had switched places with a substitute. He left the detention cell and headed to Majestic Corporation.
At the chairman‘s office at Majestic Corporation...
James had put on a human mask. At that moment, his appearance had undergone drastic changes. Wearing a white suit, he was handsome and charismatic.
“James, the business operations of the corporation have come under the assault of Oceanic Commerce. Sales have plummeted, and we suffered great losses,” Newton reported.
James lightly waved. “No need to worry about that.” He could not care less about Majestic Corporation. After all, he wanted to give the corporation to Newton, who declined the offer.
James said coldly, “I‘ll entertain the Great Four after the Solean medical conference.”
Serena was in the office too. All this while, she had been learning about business management from Newton. She was in charge of the daily operations of the corporation.
In addition to being a beauty, she had become more charismatic after being acquainted with many big wigs while at Majestic Corporation. “Rumors are spreading that you forcibly made your move on Tiara Youngblood, the daughter of Zigmund Youngblood, and was detained. How did you manage to get out?”
Newton was puzzled. Hearing this, James‘ face darkened.
It was indeed cumbersome.
Although he was framed and unconscious the whole time, the fact remains that he had sexual intercourse with Tiara.
Now, Zigmund wanted nothing more than to see him prosecuted in court.
Besides, the trial would begin the day after tomorrow. Faced with all the hard evidence, he would be found guilty. He pulled a cigarette out and lit it. After taking a deep breath, he said, “Mind your own business.”
“I‘m sorry. I overstepped my boundaries.”
James lightly waved. James stayed at Majestic Corporation the whole day and did not show himself.
When night came, he contacted Ronald.
“Ronald, anything unusual at Universal Hospital?”
“Nothing unusual here. Everything seems normal.”
James frowned.
That should not be.
All those efforts they made were to prevent him from participating in the medical conference. Theoretically, they should be on the move now. Why was there nothing out of the ordinary? He had no choice but to wait for the next day to come.
In the still of the night, at the chairman‘s office on the topmost floor of Majestic Corporation, the lights were still on.
James stood by the window and gazed at the entirety of the city.
The night passed silently. The next day... This was a day of sensation for all of Cansington. After three days of voting at the annual Solean medical conference, the public voted for the top hundred doctors in Cansington.
Today, the top hundred doctors gathered to compete in the next round. They were here for the title of Asclepius.
At the General Assembly Hall of Medical Street...
The Solean medical conference had been held here annually.
It was a venue that could fit hundreds of thousands.
Chapter 563
Though it was only eight in the morning, the venue was already packed with people.
The place was rowdy.
James arrived early.
This time, he kept a low profile.He had instructed Newton to buy a seat that was not too far back nor too near the front.He took a seat and waited patiently.He was curious to see what Lucas Hamilton from Universal Hospital and Jonathan Harris from Goryeo were up to.
At that moment, the emcee of the medical conference got on the stage.She was a popular actress called Delilah Kimberly.
Wearing a red gown, her curvaceous figure was for all to see.
With a mic in hand, she got on the stage.Her melodious laugh echoed throughout the venue.
"How exhilarating! The medical conference hasn’t even started yet, and I’m excited about it already.I have long dreamt of witnessing our fellow genius doctors of Sol gather and compete for the highest honor in the medical world of Sol."
"That’s right."
Aman in a suit walked out from backstage.He was Kevin Mariano, a renowned emcee.
Kevin walked over to Delilah and looked at the crowd, "It’s a great honor to be able to witness a competition between the most accomplished doctors of Sol.I wonder who will emerge victorious and claim the title of Asclepius."
At that moment, a staff walked over with a list and handed it to the emcees.
Delilah said smilingly, "After three days of fierce competition, we have here our top hundred doctors."
She continued, "First place goes to..."
Upon seeing the name on the list, she momentarily froze before reading out loud, "Thea Callahan from Century Hospital."
The crowd burst into a peal of laughter.
Even some reporters could not refrain from laughing.
A glamorous woman was thrust into the spotlight.It was Thea.She did not want to embarrass herself by coming here.
However, after thinking hard about it, she came nonetheless.
James had spent a fortune to push her to the top of the rankings.She did not wish to disappoint him.She knew she would be mocked if she came.
Nonetheless, she came.
James was arrested and would soon be convicted.
Even if it was humiliating for her, she had to come to show her gratitude to James.She was thrust into the spotlight with countless cameras pointed at her.
Thea closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
‘James, we're even now" Delilah smiled.
"Please come onto the stage, Ms.Thea.Please share with us your thoughts on being the first place in the qualifying match."
Under the watchful gaze of the crowd and the cameras, Thea stood up and got onto the stage.
A staff handed her a mic.
Delilah said, "Your reputation precedes you, Ms.Thea.You’ve been described by the media as a once-in-a-millennium beauty.Standing beside you gives me quite the pressure."
Thea stood there awkwardly.
Kevin asked, "So, Ms.Thea, how do you feel about getting first place?"
Thea looked at the crowd.
The crowd near the front was all big shots.She could see the scornful expressions on their faces.She felt her cheeks burning up.
Holding the mic, she hesitated for a moment before saying, "I don’t have any medical skills at all.As the rumors say, I only got first place because my husband spent a fortune to push me up the rankings."
She bowed deeply.
"I apologize for this."
Saying that, she turned to leave the stage.
James, who was at the back of the venue, scratched his nose and murmured, "Looks like Thea’s rather displeased with me.Although I don’t know what's going to happen at this medical conference, I’ll have to find a way to help her out."
Saying that, he beckoned at Serena.
Newton said, "Any instructions?"
James whispered in her ear.
"Understood."
Serena nodded.She then stood up and left her seat.
Chapter 564
Thea got off the stage.
Delilah continued, “Second place goes to Christine Fallon froin Herbal Biotech. She‘s the granddaughter of the legendary Dr. Fallon. For the past twenly years, Dr. Fallon has been able to emerge victorious at the Solean medical conference every year. His granddaughter has now surpassed him.”
Kevin said, “Please, Ms. Fallon.” Christine got onto the stage.
Wearing a white dress, she was as graceful as a swan.
She took the mic.
Delilah asked with a smile, “Ms. Fallon, even though this is your first time participating in the medical conference, you still managed to get second place. How are you feeling right now?”
Cliristine said humbly, “It has long been my dream to acquaint with my fellow seniors in the medical realm. Win or lose, I believe I have much to gain from this.” “Thank you, Ms. Fallon.” Kevin continued, “Third place goes to Jonathan Harris from Universal Hospital.”
“Fourth place goes to Lucas Hamilton from Universal Hospital.”
“Fifth place goes to Moses from Moses Hospital
“Sixth place goes to Bjorn Truman from lofinity Hospital.” “Seventh place goes to...”
The emcees read the names out loud.
Those whose names were called went onto the stage.
Soon, they were all gathered on stage.
The moment everyone was on stage, Serena approached Thiea and said willi a smile, “Ms. Thea, Mr. Caden would like to speak with you.”
“Huh?”
Looking at Serena, Thea frowned. “M–Mr. Caden? Do you mean the Black Dragon? Isn‘t he dead?”
As Thea had been to Majestic Corporation in the past, she had seen Serena before. Now that Serena came looking for her, she was puzzled. Serena said with a smile, “Come with me.”
Though Thea was confused, she followed her out of the venue.
Outside the General Assembly Hall...
James was leaning against the wall and smoking a cigarelte.
Serena brought Thea here. “I‘ve brought her.” James lightly waved and said, “Got it. You‘re free to go.”
“Understood.”
Serena turned to leave.
Upon seeing James, Thea was dumbfounded. What?
‘Isn‘t the Black Dragon dead? Ilow is he still alive?
She could not believe hier cyes. She rubbed her eyes. However, James, the Black Dragon, was still there riglit before her.
James smiled slightly. “It‘s been a while, Thea.” “Y–Y–You‘re still alive?” Thea was stunned.
James scratched his nose and said, “Do you prefer me dead?” “N–No. That‘s not it,” Thea hurriedly explained.
She was nervous.
Her heart was throbbing.
James pulled a wireless earphone out and handed it to Thea.
Thea was puzzled. “W–What‘s this?”
James said, “A wireless earphone. I can speak to you while you‘re wearing it. I‘ll secretly help you out at the medical competition.”
“Huh?”
Thea was bewildered.
‘Help me out in secret?‘ “Ms. Thea, please get on stage.”
Aloud voice reverberated throughout the General Assembly Hall.
Chapter 565
James said, “They‘re calling for you. Go.”
“But, I...”
James lightly waved. “Don‘t worry. Everything‘ll be fine.”
“Alright.”
Thea put on the earphones and swiftly made her way back to the venue. Under the crowd‘s watchful gaze, she got on stage.
The top hundred were gathered on stage. The competition rules had been established.
Delilah and Kevin announced them.
The rules of the medical competition were simple. It was a one vs. one knockout. Fifty winners would enter the winners‘ team.
Meanwhile, the remaining fifty who lost would be randomly matchmade and enter another one vs. one knockout round.
The winners, again, would progress to the winners‘ team.
Then, they would again be randomly matchmade with a person from the winners‘ team and continue the one vs. one knockout round.
After announcing the rules, an LCD TV appeared. A hundred names were listed on it. Then, they were randomized and matchmade with one another.
Soon, the results were out.
“Let‘s welcome Thea Callahan and Francois Cortez!”
Thea‘s opponent was an elderly doctor who was further down the rankings. However, there were no weaklings in the top hundred. They were all experienced doctors who had been in the field for decades.
Thea walked over to the middle of the stage.
Soon, her opponent arrived. He looked around eighty years of age and was wearing a white Mandarin jacket. By his side was a young female assistant. Kevin asked, “Ms. Thea, where‘s your assistant?” Before she could speak, the elderly man before her grunted, “Even if I win against her, I feel no glory from it.”
Thea felt nervous.
At that moment, a man got on stage.
It was James.
Upon seeing him, Thea breathed a sigh of relief.
James walked over to her and said, “I‘m her assistant.”
Glancing at James, Kevin said nothing. He immediately announced, “According to the rules, we‘ll decide the content of the competition through a lottery.”
Soon, a few staff brought a box onto the stage.
Kevin said, “There are many sealed letters in the box. Each of them has a number on it, and each number corresponds to the content of this competition. Leave it all to fate. Now, the staff will draw a letter from the box and hand it to me.”
The staff reached into the box.
The box was transparent.
The moment he stretched his hand in, a gust of wind came from the bottom. The letters were immediately scattered. The staff randomly grabbed one and gave it to Kevin.
Kevin opened the letter and showed it to the video camera. Then, he announced, “No.58. Let‘s see what topic No.58 has in store for us.”
The LCD TV on stage showed the content of No. 58.
“Name the herb! Randomly choose a hundred herbs from a hundred thousand. Both sides will be blindfolded and will have to use their sense of smell to name the herb. The time limit of this competition is ten minutes. Whoever names the most in ten minutes wins!”
Hearing this, the crowd cheered.
This was an interesting competition.
They had to use their sense of smell to name a hundred kinds of herbs while blindfolded. Not even experienced doctors who had been in the field for decades could accomplish such a feat.
The staff immediately went to prepare the ingredients.
Soon, they were ready. “First round of the competition... Thea Callahan of Century Hospital vs. Francois Cortez of Abundant Hospital!”
Hearing this, Thea panicked. Her palms were beaded with sweat.
James, who was standing beside her, whispered, “It‘s alright. There‘s nothing to worry about. With me here, you‘ll definitely win.”
“Are you two ready?” Francois looked at Thea with disdain. “I‘ll feel humiliated even if I win against her. I won‘t be participating. Let my assistant go against her. I don‘t want her to complain about bullying.”
Before Thea could speak, James stepped forward. “In that case, there‘s no need for Thea to join in. Let me participate in her stead.”
Chapter 566
James had only planned to help Thea out in secret.He did not expect that each doctor participating in the competition had an assistant of their own.
Francois Cortez, a doctor at Abundant Hospital, had been in this field for forty years.
As such, he was experienced.It should not be too difficult for him to identify a hundred herbs using his sense of smell.
With time, he could even identify all of them.
Even if the time limit was ten minutes, he could at least identify thirty to forty of them.
His assistant was an experienced doctor who had been in the field for many years too.She should be able to identify a dozen or so herbs in ten minutes.
Meanwhile, Thea was someone who spent a fortune to get to the top of the rankings.
The assistant of such a woman should not be that capable either.
Francois looked at the spotlessly clean James, who looked like an amateur, and shot him a scornful look.
From his perspective, he was surely an admirer of Thea.
On the stage...
Delilah and Kevin were commenting on the first round of the competition.
"What a fierce battle right off the bat! The doctors have asked their assistants to compete in their stead."
"Exactly.I wonder whose assistant will come out on top.Our staff will now blindfold them."
Soon, the staff brought a few blindfolds onto the stage.
Although Thea and Francois were not participating, they were blindfolded too for fairness’ sake.
James and Francois’ assistant put on the blindfold.
"The shelf before you is filled with a hundred different medicinal herbs.Each of them has an identification number, starting from 1 to 100.After identifying them, write down the names of the herbs as per their identification number.The time limit is ten minutes.The one who gets the most correct wins!"
"Are you ready?"
"Yes." They said in unison.
"Three...
Two...
One...
Start!"
The competition began.
James headed straight toward the shelf.He lowered his head and sniffed.Then, he continued.
After walking around the circle, James immediately grabbed a pen and began writing the identification numbers and the answers.
The whole process took him only three minutes.
Meanwhile, his opponent carefully identified every herb.She wrote the answers as she walked around.
Ten minutes passed in the blink of an eye.
It was time to declare the results.
Many renowned figures of the country were invited to the Solean medical conference, including entrepreneurs, politicians, philosophers, and others from all sectors of life.
Not only were they guests, but they were also the jury.
In the presence of the jury, Francois’ assistant’s answers were first validated.
In just ten minutes, she had managed to correctly identify eight herbs from a hundred using her sense of smell.
"Not bad."
Looking at the results, Kevin said with a smile, "Though she’s young, she managed to identify eight herbs while blindfolded.She’ll be a famous doctor one day."
"Of course."
Francois wore a smug look "She’s my favorite disciple, and she has great medical potential.Besides, she can even work independently."
Thea was nervous.She looked at James by her side and asked, "Is everything going to be fine?"
James gave her a reassuring smile.
"Don’t you worry."
Delilah continued, "Now let’s reveal Thea’s assistant’s answers."
Holding James’ answer, Kevin read them out loud, "No.1, Hawthorn.Correct."
"No, 2, Aconitum carmichaelii.Correct."
"No.3, Calculus Bovis.Correct."
"No.56, Gypsum Fibrosum.Correct."
As Kevin revealed the answers, many doctors below the stage gasped and stood up.
They had seen how James answered the questions.He only took three seconds for each herb.
Besides, many of these herbs only give off a faint smell.
It was simply impossible to identify them in just three seconds.
However, James had gotten everything correct till No.56.
"No.100, Scrophularia ningpoensis.Correct."
After Kevin read the final answer out loud, he took a deep breath and then looked at James.
"Impossible."
Francois exclaimed, "He must’ve cheated."
Chapter 567
James glanced at Francois and said coldly, “Mr. Cortez, are you calling into question the Solean medical conference‘s impartiality? With so many reporters and cameras here... With an audience that numbers a hundred thousand and the millions of viewers who are watching live right now, are you trying to say that I cheated?”
“You must‘ve cheated. How can a youngster like you correctly identify so many herbs using your sense of smell in such a short amount of time? Even if you had your eyes opened, there‘s no way you could‘ve done it so quickly!”
Francois could not believe it.
He could not believe that a youngster like James would have such proficiency in medicine.
Delilah said, “Since the opponent has raised questions about the fairness of the competition, I‘d like to invite the jury to investigate if there‘s anything wrong with his blindfold.”
James gave his blindfold to the jury.
After inspecting it, they found nothing wrong with it.
“In that case, I officially declare Thea Callahan the winner of the first round.”
Hearing the final verdict, the crowd was rowdy.
Who would have thought that Thea, a woman who spent a fortune to push herself up the rankings, could emerge victorious in the first round?
“Who‘s her assistant?”
“An unfamiliar face…” “Never seen him before.” “No, wait. That face... Isn‘t he James Caden of Majestic Corporation?” “What? James Caden? Isn‘t he the Black Dragon? I thought the Black Dragon died on the battlefield.”
As James‘ face was shared all over the internet, and his identity was exposed, many remembered him. They were utterly stunned.
“The Black Dragon? How can this be?”
“Legend has it that the Black Dragon’s medical skills are unrivaled. That explains the results.”
The crowd was heated in a discussion.
Delilah was just about to announce the next round of the competition when she received news from the staff backstage. Upon hearing what they told her, she momentarily froze. Then, her body shivered, Glancing at James, she blushed and asked excitedly, “Umm… May I ask if your name is James Caden?”
James never expected his identity to be exposed so soon.
He scratched his nose and said, “Yes.”
“J–James Caden of Majestic Corporation?”
!
“What Majestic Corporation? I‘m Thea‘s assistant.” “In that case, a–are you the Black Dragon?” Delilah interrogated him. The scene was broadcasted live.
The audience all over the country was dumbfounded.
What was going on?
Why would the emcee ask whether Thea‘s assistant was the Black Dragon? Did the Black Dragon not die on the battlefield on Mt. Thunder Pass?
James gave a smile and remained silent.
Then, he grabbed Thea‘s hand and headed to the rest area backstage.
The moment James grabbed her hand, she froze. She wanted to push him away, but her heart disagreed. Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, they left hand in hand.
Below the stage, among the audience.
Many doctors wore grim expressions.
The Black Dragon?
Was he the Black Dragon?
They knew the Black Dragon was unrivaled in military prowess and medical skills. However, no one had ever seen him fight or practice his medical skills.
Now that James had shown himself, his identity as the Black Dragon was exposed. At the rest area backstage... Lucas and Jonathan‘s faces darkened. Lucas asked puzzledly, “How could this be? How is he the Black Dragon?” Jonathan asked, “What‘s going on exactly?”
Lucas immediately called the police station. However, he was told that James was still on his detention call and had not left the place.
He lightly waved and said, “James is still in the police station. He‘s not the Black Dragon.”
Hearing this, Jonathan breathed a sigh of relief.
Chapter 568
Lucas and Jonathan had heard of the rumors.
The assistant by Thea‘s side was the chairman of Majestic Corporation. Meanwhile, there were rumors that the chairman of Majestic Corporation was the Black Dragon. However, they knew the truth. The real Black Dragon was James, the son–in–law of the Callahans. They just happened to share the same name.
Besides, the Black Dragon was currently trapped in his detention cell.
Lucas had called the police station, and he was told that James was still confined and had not left the place.
“We‘ll go according to plan.” Lucas looked at Jonathan.
Jonathan nodded, and his face darkened. “From today onward, there will be no more Solean Doctor‘s Association in Sol. Meanwhile, the National Doctor‘s Association of Goryeo will establish itself in Sol. In just a few years, we‘ll have full control of the medical market of the country. That way, we can control the citizens of Sol using medicine. If we conquer Sol, we conquer the world.”
Lucas smiled. “Our boss has reminded us that we have to succeed. Failure is unacceptable.”
“Don‘t worry. Leave everything to me.”
Jonathan reassured him.
At the rest area backstage...
James grabbed Thea by the hand and walked to the rest area.
The moment they arrived, Thea swiftly broke free of his grasp. Her cheeks were red. James smiled and said, “Sorry, I overstepped my boundaries.” “I–It‘s alright.” Thea was nervous. She fidgeted with her hair to conceal her nervousness.
She could not help but take a glimpse at James.
His face was flawless and well–defined. He was so handsome and charismatic. She was deeply attracted to him.
She thought the Black Dragon was dead.
She never thought he was still alive.
Coincidentally, her husband had committed a crime and was thrown into prison. She had plans to divorce him.
“M–Mr. Caden, I‘ve thought about what you told me.”
“Huh?”
James looked at Thea.
Seeing her reddened cheeks and shy expression, he was puzzled. What did he tell Thea? Did he say anything important?
Thea hung her head and whispered, “Back then, you told me you‘d marry me if I divorced my husband.”
“Oh?”
James froze. Immediately, he recollected himself and nodded. “Hmm... Yes, I did say that.”
Thea took a deep breath and plucked up the courage. “My husband has committed a crime. He brutally raped a teenage girl. The trial‘s tomorrow. He might be sentenced to more than twenty years in prison. Once he‘s convicted, I‘ll divorce him.”
James frowned. Not only did Thea not trust him, but she even planned to divorce him. 2 Hearing this, he was crestfallen. He took a deep breath.
Putting himself in her shoes, he understood that no woman could accept this.
“We’ll see.”
James sat at the rest area. He pulled a cigarette out and smoked in silence.
The competition was still going on.
However, the two emcees received news.
Delilah stopped the competition and looked at the crowd apologetically, “Ladies and gentlemen, I‘m really sorry. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have to stop the competition here.”
“Huh?”
Everyone was stunned.
Everything was going well. What happened?
Chapter 569
Delilah continued, “We just received news that someone’s dissatisfied with the competition rules. That man is Jonathan Harris of Universal Hospital. We’ll now invite Mr. Harris on stage.”
Hearing this, Jonathan got on stage. Faced with the audience and countless cameras, he remained composed.
Kevin asked, “Mr. Harris, please tell us which aspect of the competition rules you’re dissatisfied with.”
Jonathan took the mic from the staff and said, “I’m extremely dissatisfied with the competition rules of this year’s medical competition. How long are we going to take if we go one by one? I suggest that we all compete at once.”
Delilah smiled. “The competition rules have been set by a group of hospitals. We can’t change them just because you disagree.”
“Is that so?”
Jonathan smiled and pointed to Jay, who was seated at the very front of the audience seat and said, “The strong decide the rules. How about this? I’ll challenge Dr. Fallon to a one-on-one. If I win, I call the shots.”
His words caused an uproar.
According to the rules of past competitions, only the final competitor who emerged victorious could have the right to challenge Dr. Fallon.
All video cameras were directed at Jay.
They were waiting for his response.
James was aware of what was happening at the front stage.
Walking alongside Thea, they sat among the audience and looked at Jonathan, who was on stage.
James knew that they would make a move.
However, he did not know their motives.
Under the crowd’s watchful gaze, Jay stood up and got on stage. Looking at Jonathan, a smile crept onto his wrinkled face. “Mr. Harris, even if you’re dissatisfied with the competition rules, there’s no use challenging me. I don’t set the rules. It was a group consensus. Even if you win against me, I don’t have the right to change the rules for you.” “Then, I’ll ask everyone’s opinions on the matter.” Jonathan looked at the big shots that were sitting below the stage. Alex Yates of Celestial Group, Yuna Lawson of Longevity Pharmaceuticals, Charles Bertrand of Abundant Group, and others were present. They were the big shots of Cansington. Therefore, they were the ones who set the rules. At that moment, they gathered to discuss the matter.
After approximately fifteen minutes, they arrived at a conclusion.
Delilah spoke, “Mr. Harris, after a lengthy discussion, we accept your challenge. If you can defeat Dr. Fallon, you’ll have the right to set the competition rules of this year’s medical competition. However, as for the rules of the challenge between you and Dr. Fallon, that’s up to the two of you to decide.”
Jay chimed in, “Since it was Mr. Harris who proposed this, I’ll let him decide on the rules.”
Jonathan said, “Don’t worry, I won’t push you around. We’ll compete in medical prescription, acupuncture, and acupoint treatment. How does that sound to you?”
He looked at Jay.
The atmosphere was bellicose even before the competition started. Though Jonathan’s opposition to the competition rules had delayed the medical conference, it was a breath of fresh air to the audience.
Dr. Fallon had been holding the title of Asclepius for twenty years.
He had not shown his skills in many years. To be able to witness his medical skills would be the highlight of the medical conference.
“Fine, I accept.”
Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, Jay agreed to the conditions. “Good. I’ll explain the rules in detail then.”
Wearing a mischievous grin on his face, Jonathan said, “We’ll each concoct a poison for the other or someone we trust to consume. After consuming the poison, we’ll use acupuncture and acupoint treatment together with the antidote we’ve made to detoxify the body. The first to release the toxins from the drinker’s body wins. We’ll combine the three aspects into one competition. The survivor will emerge victorious.” Hearing this, the crowd was stunned.
Even Jay was caught off guard. Jonathan added, “Think carefully, Dr. Fallon. Lives are at stake here. However, if either of us admits defeat, the other will have to provide the antidote.”
“Fine, I accept.”
Looking at Jonathan, Jay nodded his head. Hearing this, the crowd erupted in cheers.
This year’s medical conference was going to be much more interesting than the previous ones.
Chapter 570
Faced with Jonathan‘s challenge, Jay was not afraid. He chose to accept the challenge.
Seeing this, a mischievous grin crept onto Jonathan‘s face as if his evil machinations had come to a crescendo. “I‘ll briefly explain the rules,” Jonathan said. “A thousand medicinal herbs will be prepared. Based on our understanding of the herbs, we‘ll freely mix and match them to create a poison. After the other party has consumed the poison, we‘ll have to mix and match from among the thousand herbs once more to create an antidote. Of course, we‘re allowed to use acupuncture and acupoint pressure therapeutic means to release the toxins.”
“Mhm.”
Jay nodded.
Jonathan continued, “To ensure the impartiality of the competition, I‘ll leave the preparation of the herbs to Herbal Biotech.”
Jay immediately made the arrangements. Soon, a few shelves were pushed on stage. There were many drawers on each shelf, and the names of each herb were labeled on each drawer.
According to the rules, both of them could have an assistant.
Jay knew nothing about Jonathan. However, James had previously called him to use the underground intelligence network to investigate a guy called the miracle–working Doctor King.
Even though it was Ronald who looked into it, Jay knew of this. The miracle–working Doctor King was Jonathan Harris. He was once a citizen of Sol but immigrated to Goryeo many years ago. Now, he was the chairman of the National Doctor‘s Association of Goryeo. It was apparent Jonathan did not come in peace. Jay knew he had to be constantly on his guard.
He called Christine to be his assistant.
She was a renowned doctor in Cansington who was rumored to have surpassed Jay‘s medical skills.
Jonathan‘s assistant was none other than Lucas, the main doctor of Universal Hospital. He was rumored to be a capable doctor who kept a low profile. They made their preparations.
Below the stage...
At the back of the audience...
James watched silently. Serena had given her seat to Thea.
Thea was puzzled. “Mr. Caden, what is Dr. Harris up to?”
James shook his head. If he had known what Jonathan was up to, he would not have remained so passive.
“Mr. Caden, who among them is the better doctor?”
Curious, Thea asked.
“Dr. Fallon hasn‘t suffered defeat in twenty years. However, Jonathan of Universal Hospital is challenging him in such a way even though he knows that he‘s Asclepius. He‘s so full of confidence. Who exactly is he?”
“We‘ll see,” James said.
Everything would be revealed if they let things play out a little longer.
They feared James and did not want him around. That could only mean that their plans had something to do with medicine. They did not want him ruining their plans.
Soon, both sides were ready.
The two emcees stood in the middle of the stage.
A thousand medicinal herbs were ready backstage. They were all ordinary herbs that were non poisonous.
Jay was on the left side of the stage, while Jonathan was on the right.
Delilah said, “In accordance with the rules that have been agreed upon, the time limit for the concoction of the poison is thirty minutes. After thirty minutes, both sides will give the concocted poison to the other. Each will have ten minutes to examine and observe the poison before consuming it.” Kevin continued, “Lives are at stake here. After finishing concocting the poison, both sides will have to prepare the antidote in advance. If the other party admits defeat, you will have to provide him the antidote.”
“So, are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Ready... Three... Two... One... Start!”
Jay and Jonathan immediately went to choose their herbs.
Millions were watching
They were at the edge of their seats. This was the first time they were witnessing a medical competition of this kind in Cansington. One was the Asclepius of Cansington, who had held the title for twenty years.