Chapter 2

Inside the room, Noel pulled back Dylan's shirt and wordlessly began inserting needles into him.

For a moment, everyone stood frozen.

Then, chaos erupted.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" one of the Quinton family members shouted.

"Mr. Dylan's on his deathbed, and you dare treat him like this?"

"This is abuse! Are you out of your mind?"

Even the renowned miracle doctor, Aaron, was at a loss. How could anyone possibly believe that Noel had a solution?

To them, what Noel was doing now wasn't just pointless. It was a blatant act of disrespect toward Dylan.

Even Aaron was outraged.

"Stop immediately!" he barked. "Not even my Ninefold Needle technique could save him. What makes you think a reckless kid like you can?"

Noel glanced at him and coldly said, "If your skills are lacking, you've got no business acting like some wise old master. You're a disgrace to the Medicus Circle."

The moment those words left Noel's mouth, Aaron froze.

"How do you know about the Medicus Circle?!"

Aaron's affiliation with the Medicus Circle was his most closely guarded secret. It was something even his family didn't know.

And yet, this young man had seen right through him.

What Aaron didn't know was that the Medicus Circle was merely one branch of the Arcane Guild's medical lineage. As the current heir, how could Noel possibly not recognize where Aaron's medical techniques came from?

Noel ignored the protests around him. His focus returned to Dylan, who was still unconscious.

Noel picked up the silver needles with practiced ease. His hands moved in a blur, needle after needle flashing in the dim light, each one plunging precisely into Dylan's chest.

"Stop! Are you insane?!"

Aaron's face went pale as he rushed forward. "Those are vital acupoints! One wrong move, and he's dead for sure!"

But before Aaron could do anything to intervene, Noel was already done.

A beat of silence passed.

Then suddenly, Dylan lurched forward and coughed violently, spewing a mouthful of thick, black blood.

Seeing the black blood spill out, Jacob Quinton's face turned pale, then furious.

"You little punk, are you trying to kill him?!"

He snapped his fingers, and a few security guards rushed in. "Grab him! If anything happens to my father, I swear this punk is paying with his life!"

But just as the guards moved, a raspy cough cut through the chaos.

Everyone turned.

On the bed, Dylan was slowly opening his eyes.

"Oh my God... he's awake!"

Gasps echoed around the room, and family members surged forward in disbelief.

No one had expected that Noel would actually revive Dylan!

"Dad, are you alright?" Jacob stepped forward, his voice trembling.

Dylan blinked, slowly coming back to himself. The pale color on his face was already starting to fade, and a touch of pink had returned to his cheeks.

Everyone was amazed when they noticed his visibly healthier complexion.

Dylan said hoarsely. "I-I'm fine… I haven't felt this good in years. It's like most of the illness is gone."

He looked around the room. "Dr. Spencer, was it you who treated me?"

Aaron stepped back, shaking his head with a complicated expression on his face. "I don't have that kind of skill. It was this gentleman who healed you."

He turned to Noel, then gave a deep bow. "Just now, I was out of line. Please accept my apology."

It had taken only one glance for Noel to see through his deepest secret. Aaron knew now that this was no ordinary young man.

On top of that, Noel's acupuncture technique was downright unbelievable!

If Aaron still thought he was the most skilled doctor in the room, he'd be a fool.

The entire Quinton family stood frozen in shock. Even Yvette stared at Noel, her wide eyes filled with disbelief.

Aaron, the most renowned miracle doctor in all of Chansear District, had just bowed to Noel and even apologized?

There was clearly more to this man than Yvette had thought.

"Are you… Noel?" Dylan finally turned his gaze to him. At first, his eyes were clouded with confusion. But then, recognition flickered. And just like that, confusion gave way to joy.

Even after 15 years, he recognized Noel instantly. With a surge of effort, he tried to sit up.

Noel stepped forward and gently helped him up, his eyes redrimmed. "I'm sorry I'm late, Mr. Dylan. You've been through so much, and it's my fault."

"You're not late. Not at all," Dylan said, smiling with misty eyes. "You've grown up. And you've become someone extraordinary."

"The Divine Sage was right about you. You truly are the Quinton family's lucky star. From now on, you will surely protect and bless our family!"

Dylan grasped Noel's hand as he spoke. There were tears welling in his eyes, and his voice full of heartfelt relief and gratitude.

Off to the side, something clicked in Yvette's memory.

So Noel was that orphan.

She had heard about it years ago, how Dylan had rescued a boy and brought him into the Quinton family. Though it had been long forgotten by most, the story was well known among the family.

Yvette never imagined that Noel would have such deep ties to the Quinton family.

"Dr. Spencer, are you saying this kid really cured my father?" Jacob asked, still clearly skeptical as he watched Noel and Dylan chatting like old friends.

How could a stranger do what even the most renowned miracle doctor in the city had failed to?

"Enough," Dylan snapped, his sharp gaze cutting to the security guards still lingering behind Jacob.

"I heard everything that happened just now. You wanted to have Noel thrown out?"

"Dad, I didn't mean—" Jacob stumbled, clearly flustered.

Dylan snorted. "Let me make this clear. Noel saved my life. That makes him a benefactor of our family. If anyone dares treat him badly, they'll answer to me!"

Dylan's voice carried weight, firm and final.

Hearing this, Jacob pulled a face. Even Lulu, standing off to the side, couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

She had always been Dylan's favorite, and she didn't expect him to care this much about an orphan.

But Dylan wasn't paying them any attention. Still holding Noel's hand, he grew visibly emotional.

"Back in the day, the Divine Sage made a promise with me. When your training was complete and you came down from the mountain, you were to marry my granddaughter.

"Now that you're here, it's time you and Lulu register your marriage and fulfill that promise."

The words stunned everyone into silence.

Lulu looked especially upset. "He just got lucky and happened to cure you, Grandpa!"

Lulu gave Noel a once-over, her lip curling as she took in his bargain bin outfit. "You expect me to marry him? I'm the eldest daughter of the Quinton family. There's no way that's happening."

She didn't hesitate to shut it down, and a few of the other family members even nodded subtly in agreement. No one seemed too eager to support Dylan's plan.

Dylan shot Lulu a sharp look and sternly said, "Don't be disrespectful. This is a matter of marriage. There's no room for childish tantrums!

"Besides, Noel is the Divine Sage's chosen heir. You should count yourself lucky to be marrying him."

Lucky?

To marry a bumpking like Noel?

Seriously?

Lulu rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't stick. To her, marrying Noel was laughable. She was way out of his league!

"You don't have a car or a house, and you're an orphan. What could you possibly give me? If I married you, I'd be the unluckiest person alive!"