Chapter 231
The moment Dr. Fairchild finished speaking, the faces of the three brothers— Warren, Willis, and Lyle-drained of all color.
Their wives, Jade, Kelley, and Stephanie, were equally stricken, struggling to keep their composure.
In the Richards family, things had always been different. There was no scheming, no hidden resentments between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. The matriarch, Hannah, was a true powerhouse-never one to meddle in trivial household matters, and always treating her daughters-in-law as if they were her
own.
Now, hearing such devastating news felt like being struck by lightning.
Warren staggered, his legs nearly giving out beneath him. If not for Willis and Lyle catching him in time, he might have collapsed entirely. “Careful, Warren!” Lyle said urgently, steadying his older brother.
Warren forced himself to stand upright, clutching at his chest. “Dr. Fairchild, is my mother’s condition really… truly that bad already p>
“I’m so sorry,” Dr. Kelvin Fairchild replied, bowing his head. “Mr. Warren, I’ve failed you. My abilities weren’t enough p>
His abilities? That couldn’t be right. Kelvin was a graduate of one of the world’s top medical schools, a doctoral fellow with countless accolades and medical patents to his name. If he weren’t so renowned, the Richards family would never have invited him to oversee the hospital’s care.
Clearly, the problem wasn’t Dr. Fairchild’s skills—it was that Hannah’s injuries were simply too severe. Even someone of his caliber was powerless.
Kelvin continued, his voice heavy, “Mr. Warren, I urge you to notify the rest of the family as soon as possible. They should come if they want to see your mother one last time. If you wait… I’m afraid it may be too late p>
He didn’t finish the sentence, but everyone understood. Hannah only had days left if that.
They all knew that everyone must face this day eventually, but the news was still impossible to accept. It all felt so sudden, especially since Hannah had always been in good health.
Lyle grabbed Dr. Fairchild’s hand, desperate. “Dr. Fairchild, you know so many people—there’s really no one who can save my mother? She’s the heart of this family. None of us are ready for her to go. And she still hasn’t seen my little sister and Freya. She can’t leave us yet p>
None of them could bear the thought of Hannah dying with regrets.
Stephanie chimed in, her voice trembling, “That’s right, Dr. Fairchild. You’re connected to all the best doctors in the world. If there’s anyone who can save my mother-in-law, no matter the cost, the Richards family would do whatever it takes p>
“Stephanie’s right,” Jade added. “Dr. Fairchild, if you know any way to save my mother, no price is too high p>
Kelvin looked troubled. “Mr. Lyle, Lady Stephanie, Mrs. Jade-it’s not that I’m unwilling. It’s that Hannah’s condition is simply beyond help. At this point, the only chance would be if p>
He hesitated.
Warren leaned in. “If what, Dr. Fairchild p>
Dr. Fairchild’s expression turned grave. “If you could find Dr. Oracle. Dr. Oracle is a master of the Golden Needle Channeling technique. Your mother’s cranial injuries are far too complex for surgery, but perhaps just perhaps Dr. Oracle could use the Golden Needle technique to clear the clots p>
Dr. Oracle was a legend in the medical world. Rumor had it that his Golden Needle Channeling could work miracles-restoring life where there was none, even reviving the dead. But for the past year, Dr. Oracle had vanished from the public eye, disappearing without a trace. Even with a bounty of a hundred million dollars, no one had managed to find him.
The room fell into a heavy, uneasy silence.
Kelley frowned. “But Dr. Oracle is like a ghost-no one’s seen him for ages. Even
if we wanted to, how could we possibly reach him in time p>
Kelvin sighed. “That’s why I said, unless a miracle happens, your mother’s prognosis is very grim p>
Kelley pressed on, “But isn’t Dr. Oracle’s protégé, Professor Prescott, also renowned? Couldn’t we ask Professor Prescott to come p>
Professor Lawler Prescott-Dr. Oracle’s sole apprentice, and himself a giant in the field.
Kelvin shook his head. “Professor Prescott did inherit much from Dr. Oracle, but the Golden Needle technique is so esoteric, even he hasn’t fully mastered it p>
The hope that had briefly flickered in the room died out, replaced by a bleak, suffocating despair.