Chapter 185: Chapter 185 - Exorbitant Price
Then, with a wave of his hand, he sent the speaker flying!
Grandmaster!
Upon sensing this energy, the crowd’s expressions changed slightly!
They didn’t expect Uncle Leonardo to be a Grandmaster!
They only knew that Uncle Leonardo was a business prodigy, but they never imagined that his strength was so formidable!
For a moment, no one dared to say a word!
Uncle Leonardo coldly surveyed the crowd, not speaking for quite some time.
After several minutes passed, Uncle Leonardo rose to his feet.
He walked to the window, clasping his hands behind his back, and spoke deliberately, "The Schroeder Family has maintained a low profile these past years, causing many to forget how truly terrifying our family is."
The audience remained silent, acknowledging the truth in his statement.
"In a few days, the Family Head will emerge from seclusion, and he will personally slaughter this Mason Raymond," Uncle Leonardo continued.
"We will also use this opportunity to announce the Schroeder Family’s return to power."
Hearing this, the crowd grasped the implications.
The Schroeder Family... planned to use Mason Raymond to reassert their dominance!
Through this, they would remind everyone that the Schroeders remained the premier aristocratic family in Chuzzle!
——
I sat on the bed with the bronze sword and stone sculpture placed before me.
"This stone sculpture overflows with dark energy. I wonder about its true nature," I frowned.
I placed my hand on the stone sculpture, feeling an icy coldness flow through me.
What surprised me most was how the stone sculpture seemed to contain an inexhaustible supply of dark energy.
No matter how long I absorbed from it, the internal dark energy remained unchanged.
"How peculiar," I touched my chin, puzzled by this phenomenon.
The bronze sword and stone sculpture represented perfect opposites - Yin and Yang.
When they came close, they emitted rumbling noises, clearly repelling each other.
"Merging Yin and Yang proves no simple task," I sighed internally.
I had attempted several times to combine them without success.
Then, I put away these two holy items and closed my eyes slightly, preparing for my breakthrough.
This marked my first attempt at breaking through using dark energy.
Consequently, I approached the task with extreme determination.
Just then, my phone suddenly rang.
I picked it up and noticed an unfamiliar out-of-town number.
Somewhat curious, I answered the call.
The moment the connection established, an angry voice demanded, "Dr. Raymond, didn’t we agree that you would call me today?"
I was momentarily confused before finally remembering the masked woman from yesterday.
"Sorry, I forgot," I apologized quickly.
The woman said, "Are you free now? I’m at the coffee shop downstairs in your hotel."
"Alright, I’ll be down right away," I promised.
After ending the call, I headed directly to the coffee shop.
The masked woman sat waiting in a private room, where I observed a woman with skin smooth as jade and hands soft as new leaves—truly a breathtaking beauty.
My expression remained calm, showing no surprise.
"Tell me, what illness do you need me to treat?" I got straight to business.
Instead of answering, the masked woman snapped, "Don’t you recognize me?"
"Of course, you’re the masked woman from yesterday, right?" I replied honestly.
The masked woman grew so angry her chest heaved! A masked woman? Was that how I viewed her?
"You truly don’t recognize me?" She seemed incredulous.
I frowned and stated, "I understand now. You want me to examine your head, correct? No problem, as long as you pay."
"I..." The masked woman appeared on the verge of breakdown.
"Didn’t you consider why I wore a mask yesterday?" she insisted.
I frowned again and suggested, "Wasn’t it because you feared the Schroeder Family?"
"..." The masked woman fell silent.
She retrieved her phone and pointed at the screen, declaring, "Look, open your eyes! This is a fashion magazine cover, and this one shows a supermodel competition. Both feature me, yet you don’t recognize me!"
Looking at her phone screen, I suddenly exclaimed, "Now I understand!"
Only then did the masked woman smile. She proudly proclaimed, "I knew it! How could anyone not know who I am!"
"You sell clothes, right?" However, my next words nearly made the masked woman spit blood!
"...Forget it," She seemed to surrender.
She simply introduced herself.
After her introduction, I discovered the masked woman’s name was Kathleen Drake. She wasn’t merely an international model but also a top influencer and national celebrity.
Following her introduction, with evident pride, Kathleen added, "I’m also a singer, actress, businesswoman, and more. So, what do you think? Impressive, right?"
I apologized slightly, "Sorry, I don’t follow celebrities, so I’ve never heard of you."
Kathleen frowned unhappily, "You’re such an insensitive man."
"Miss Drake, what do you want from me, ultimately?" I began feeling impatient.
Noting my tone, Kathleen lowered her voice and explained, "You can heal people, right? I want you to treat my father."
"Your father? What’s his condition?" I inquired.
Kathleen hesitated before answering, "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis."
"Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?" I raised an eyebrow.
"This disease presents an international challenge, and no one has ever cured it," I remarked solemnly.
Hearing this, Kathleen hurriedly protested, "Yesterday, you boasted you could heal any disease if paid! Are you retracting your words today?"
I shook my head and smiled, "Miss Drake, you misinterpret my meaning."
"Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis challenges medical professionals worldwide. Countless people suffer from it, and it presents a challenge for me as well."
"Therefore, the price must increase!" I stated firmly.
Upon hearing this, Kathleen nearly choked.
She clearly thought I couldn’t discuss anything without mentioning money—a true mercenary!
"As long as you can cure it, I’ll pay any amount!" Kathleen declared.
I nodded and proposed, "Fine, originally three billion would cover three treatments, but now it buys just one. Is that acceptable?"
Kathleen visibly winced.
Three billion for a single treatment truly represented an astronomical sum.
"Fine, if it works, three billion proves worthwhile!" Kathleen agreed through gritted teeth.
I immediately provided an account number, instructing, "Transfer the money."
"Let’s wait until after the treatment," Kathleen rolled her eyes.
Hearing this, I immediately stood and announced, "Farewell!"
Leaving these words, I turned to exit.
Kathleen panicked and quickly grabbed my arm, angrily demanding, "What’s wrong with you! Who pays before receiving treatment?!"
"That’s my rule," I calmly replied.
Gritting her teeth, Kathleen conceded, "Fine, I’ll transfer the money, but you must leave with me immediately."
"Agreed," I nodded.
After quickly transferring the money, Kathleen asked with exasperation, "Can we go now?"
"Of course," I nodded slightly.
"But first, I need to handle some small fry." As I spoke, my expression suddenly turned ice cold.
