Chapter 232: Nathaniel Watched in Disbelief

Nathaniel watched in disbelief as Elena abandoned the old man and curled up in a corner. His blood boiled with fury. The bodyguards summoned by the headmaster stood ready, their professional instincts sensing trouble despite not knowing the full situation.

Anyone could see what was happening.

Another quack doctor must have botched the treatment. Last time, a charlatan's acupuncture left the old man's face twisted, and they'd beaten him half to death. If not for the so-called medical authority's intervention today, that fraud would still be rotting in jail.

Did someone actually dare to swindle The Stone family again?

The bodyguards stood stone-faced, awaiting orders.

"Throw this con artist out! She's banned from the Stone estate!" Nathaniel checked his grandfather first—thankfully, though needled again, the old man showed no seizures or life-threatening signs.

Wait.

Something felt off. Nathaniel turned to inspect more closely.

"Who... are you... throwing out?"

The weak but familiar voice made Nathaniel's eyes redden instantly. He whirled around to see the old man on the bed now awake, his cloudy gaze filled with its usual warmth.

"Grandfather!"

"Father!"

Both Nathaniel and the headmaster rushed to the bedside, each gripping one of the old man's hands. Words failed them as emotion choked their throats. After consulting countless specialists—60% declaring the old man vegetative, the remaining 40% helpless—they'd prepared for the worst. Despite the coma, his vitals had been deteriorating. Experts agreed he wouldn't last much longer.

Yet now, he was awake!

"Stop... fussing... That girl... is remarkable... She saved me..." The old man spoke haltingly, still weak. "You... usually so composed... Why so reckless... today?"

Nathaniel wiped his tears and nodded solemnly. "I was wrong, Grandfather. Dr. Ward is our family's savior. I'll apologize immediately."

For his grandfather's awakening, he'd do anything.

Nathaniel always settled debts clearly. He strode to where Elena huddled and dropped to his knees. "Dr. Ward, I was blind not to recognize your skill, lumping you with those frauds. From today onward, you're The Stone family's benefactor. Whatever you need, I'll move heaven and earth to provide it!"

Elena shivered, barely lifting her head. "Nathaniel... remember... your words..." Her teeth chattered. "Get up... This is... unbecoming..."

She'd wanted this promise all along.

Nathaniel rose swiftly, suddenly finding the pale girl before him remarkably admirable. Not only was her medical skill extraordinary, but her magnanimity also suited his temperament perfectly.

He vowed silently to protect her at all costs.

With The Stone family's influence, safeguarding one doctor should be effortless.

"Sister-in-law, are you alright?" Nathaniel hurried over. When Adrian mentioned Elena nearly dying after healing someone, he'd thought it exaggerated. Witnessing it now, he understood Adrian's concern.

Then it hit him—this was Adrian's fiancée!

His spirits dampened. The Stones' influence matched the Andrews'. If Adrian protected her, what use were The Stones?

"I'm fine... just... drained..." Elena noticed the cold receding faster than usual. Though she'd held back this time, her recovery still seemed unusually quick.

A thought struck her.

Recently, her post-ability discomfort only eased when Adrian was nearby.

Could it be... Adrian was her antidote?