Miraculous Doctor from the Mountain

Chapter 2: The Wager

"Miss Carmen?"

Hearing the voice, Oliver immediately looked toward the elevator. Seeing Flora, a hint of joy appeared in Oliver's eyes. Despite the passing years, he recognized Flora, the girl who saved his life, at first glance. Even after all these years, he could still see the resemblance between the current Flora and the girl who once rescued him.

Quickly and casually, Oliver walked over, smacking his lips, "You must be Miss Flora Carmen."

Flora raised an eyebrow, a bit puzzled. She didn't recognize this young man; could he be here to beg for money?

Flora nodded, asking, "Yes, I am. May I ask who you are?"

"I'm Oliver Lowell. We agreed to meet before."

"You're Oliver Lowell?" Flora was momentarily stunned, then disbelief flickered in her eyes. This slender, raggedy figure was the doctor she had sought?

The Carmen family in Blokoord was a first-rate powerhouse, both in terms of manpower and wealth. However, since Old Carmen fell ill, no matter how much effort the family exerted, it seemed futile. Old Carmen's condition deteriorated day by day, to the point of being on the brink of death.

Feeling filial toward Old Carmen, Flora searched for renowned doctors worldwide, hoping to save her grandfather. A few days ago, she finally managed to contact Pete Hamilton, the legendary medical expert. Although Master Hamilton didn't agree to personally treat Old Carmen, he recommended someone who was said to be as skilled as him.

To her surprise, the person who arrived, filled with hope, was a ragged man. Flora looked at Oliver suspiciously, wondering if she had been deceived.

"Miss Carmen, what's on your mind?" Oliver, noticing Flora's silent contemplation, reminded her.

"Nothing... nothing at all, Dr. Lowell, right? Hello!" Flora quickly regained her composure after Oliver's reminder.

"After all, it's a recommendation from the renowned medical expert Pete Hamilton. He should have some real skills," Flora thought to herself.

"Dr. Lowell, now that you're here, let's go to my grandfather's house first. His condition has worsened in the past few days, and I don't know how much longer he can hold on..."

Flora spoke with deep concern, her expression revealing her immense anxiety. With no time to find another reliable doctor, she could only hope that this person had real abilities.

"Don't worry. I can treat him, but there's a condition!"

However, Oliver, without moving, smirked playfully at Flora.

Flora was momentarily puzzled, looking at Oliver with curiosity. "What is it?"

Oliver shrugged, waving his hand at Flora. She approached, looking at Oliver attentively. A pleasant fragrance reached Oliver's nose.

Placing his hand near Flora's ear, Oliver spoke in a voice only they could hear, "There's only one condition: if I cure your grandfather, you have to spend a night with me..."

"You..." Flora's face flushed with anger, a mix of indignation and embarrassment on her jade-like face.

Flora had never encountered such shameless audacity before, and seeing Oliver's nonchalant demeanor only fueled her anger. However, for the sake of saving her grandfather, even if there was just a glimmer of hope, she had to try.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Flora forced a composed tone and bitingly replied, "I agree! But if you fail..."

She narrowed her eyes, adding, "You'll regret it."

Oliver nodded and followed Flora into the car. The Carmen family's mansion in the affluent district of Blokoord was reserved for the elite. Only the most distinguished individuals had the privilege of residing there.

Upon entering the Carmen family estate, they found a crowd gathering in the yard. Most were relatives and acquaintances of the Carmen family, supposedly here to bid farewell to Old Carmen on his last journey. Yet, their true motives remained concealed.

"Hmph, another one here for the inheritance!"

Seeing Flora's arrival, everyone's eyes turned cold.

"Oh, just in time. Saves me the trouble of looking for you."

A slender man emerged from the house, his movements appearing somewhat ethereal. The Carmen family members displayed a hint of fear upon seeing him. This man was Brook Carmen, the eldest son and heir of the Carmen family, seemingly the most eager for Old Carmen's demise.

"This is the property distribution agreement. Everyone has signed; only you're left," Brook sneered, handing a folder to Flora.

Flora paid no attention to Brook's words. She had long known the contents of the contract. Except for the consistently loss-making Corewood company, Flora had no claim to inherit any family property.

Glancing at the disdainful gazes from the Carmen family members, Flora expressed her displeasure, "Grandfather is still alive, and you're already thinking about dividing his wealth?"

"I've found a doctor to treat Grandfather." Flora glanced at Oliver, hoping he would prove to be reliable.

At this moment, the Carmen family members noticed the beggar-like man following Flora.

"Flora, please tell me this isn't the doctor you found," Brook pointed at Oliver with disdain. "You brought a beggar to treat Grandfather? What an obedient granddaughter."

"Yes, Rongrong, it's fine to be filial, but bringing a beggar to fool everyone? Isn't that inappropriate?" another family member chimed in.

"Being filial? I think she's hoping Grandfather dies soon! I've said it before, Flora can't be trusted. She's a jinx—first, she caused her parents' deaths, and now she wants to kill Grandfather..."

People began to speak venomously, each comment sharper than the last. Flora kept her head down, eyes reddening with tears. Since she could remember, her parents had passed away one after another, and she felt like an outsider in the Carmen family. Now, her only wish was to fulfill her filial duty, but this heartless group remained indifferent.

Seeing Flora's sorrowful expression and the tears streaming down her face, instead of sympathy, the group's hostility intensified.

A distant cousin walked straight up to Flora, pointing at her and shouting, "Flora, I bet this is the wild man you've hooked up with outside, trying to claim a share of the Carmen family estate while Grandfather is on his deathbed! Let me tell you, there's no place for you two here. If you don't leave willingly, I'll find someone to kick you out, and you won't even be welcome at the funeral!"

Flora sobbed uncontrollably, her delicate shoulders trembling.

"If you won't leave, I'll have someone kick you out. I'm telling you, Grandfather's fortune has nothing to do with you, and you're not welcome at the funeral either!"

The woman was about to physically push Flora when Oliver stepped forward, grabbing her arm and coldly warning, "If you dare touch her, I'll make sure you regret it."

The once nonchalant Oliver now exuded an unusual authority, looking formidable. With a slight exertion, he flung the cousin away.

"Hmph, talking about filial piety, who can match up to the likes of you? Old Carmen hasn't even passed away, and you're already thinking about dividing the estate. Are you even human?"

"Kid, are you asking for trouble?" Brook, furious at having his thoughts exposed, threatened Oliver.

"Get him out of here! Teach this beggar a lesson so he knows not to mess with the Carmen family!" Brook ordered his guards.

Flora suddenly shouted, "Enough!"

After taking a deep breath, she calmly said, "If he can't cure Grandfather, I don't want anything from the estate."

Hearing this, Brook's eyes lit up. "Alright, you said it!"

Brook hadn't expected this turn of events. Old Carmen's illness had stumped numerous doctors, and now they were entrusting the job to a beggar?

"You've said that. If I cure Old Carmen, what will you do?" Oliver interjected.

Brook sneered, full of disdain. "Cure him? I'll kneel and call you dad if you can really do that."

Oliver chuckled, "I don't want a fool like you as a son. Back then, you should have apologized to Miss Carmen!"

"Fine, if you can cure him, I'll do it!" Brook said, confident that it would never happen.

Without further words, Oliver ignored the members of the Lowell family and headed towards the house.

"Are these really filial children and grandchildren? For a little property, they won't even take care of their grandfather!" he sneered at the Carmen family members before entering the house.