Chapter 232
The reason the international community was offering a hundred million dollars to coax Dr. Oracle out of retirement was simple: Lawler himself wasn’t truly a master of the Golden Needle Channel Activation technique.
When this was mentioned, disappointment clouded the faces of The Richards
Family.
Stephanie couldn’t help but ask, “Is this Golden Needle Channel Activation really that difficult? Even Professor Prescott can’t do it p>
Kelvin nodded. “The Golden Needle Channel Activation isn’t just regular medicine —it demands a mastery of both advanced medical skills and the ancient balance of elements. That’s why, as far as anyone knows, only Dr. Oracle can wield it p>
Jade chimed in. “Still, Professor Prescott is Dr. Oracle’s direct protégé. We should at least have him take a look p>
Warren agreed, “Your sister-in-law’s right. With Mom’s condition being so critical, it doesn’t matter if Professor Prescott can perform the Golden Needle Channel Activation or not. As Dr. Oracle’s top student, he’s our best shot. Maybe he’ll have a solution we haven’t considered p>
Warren turned to Lyle. “Lyle, I’ll leave it to you to get in touch with Professor Prescott p>
“Understood, Warren p>
At the same time-
Caitlin was taking photos of Celeste.
Suddenly, Caitlin felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. Her phone slipped from her hand and clattered onto the ground.
Celeste, who’d just been striking a pose, hurried over. “Catie, are you alright p>
Caitlin pressed her fingers to her temple. “I’m not sure. I just feel unsettled, like something big is about to happen p>
It was an odd sensation—a kind of foreboding she’d never experienced before. Celeste abandoned the photo shoot and stooped to pick up the phone. “Maybe it’s just the adjustment to Neon Spire. You only just arrived, after all. Let’s go sit over there for a bit p>
“Alright.” Caitlin nodded.
The wind off the harbor was strong that afternoon.
After a while, Celeste asked, “Feeling any better now, Catie p>
“Much better,” Caitlin replied, taking her phone back. “March, let’s get back to those photos p>
“Sure thing p>
Caitlin wore a smile, but as she snapped pictures, an emptiness gnawed at her chest—as if she were about to lose something precious and irreplaceable.
Silverhaven.
Irene had barely returned from The Capital when a WhatsApp message from Jade popped up.
As soon as she saw the message, Irene’s heart skipped a beat.
Hannah was in trouble.
It was an odd twist of fate. Irene wasn’t just friends with Keira; she’d also become close to Hannah after meeting at a medical conference.
Without hesitation, Irene dialed Jade’s number. “Jade, what’s going on with your mother p>
Jade’s voice was hoarse and weary on the other end. “Irene, it’s bad. The doctors say unless we can find someone who knows the Golden Needle Channel Activation-unless Dr. Oracle himself shows up-we’ve only got a few days left.” The words hit Irene like a thunderclap. “How could this happen? We were just having tea together in The Capital not long ago p>
It was all so sudden, so hard to process.
Jade tried to explain, “Mom’s always been healthy. This only happened because she tripped on the way to light a candle for Carey and Freya. The doctors said there’s a clot in her brain pressing on her nerves, keeping her in a coma. She’s too old for brain surgery Jade’s explanation dwindled into a string of heavy sighs.
Irene’s mind was in turmoil, but then a thought flashed through her mind. She caught her breath. “The Golden Needle Channel Activation! Jade, did you just say that technique could save your mother p>
If she remembered correctly, it was that very technique-performed by Caitlin- that had saved her from a heart attack!
“Yes,” Jade replied, hope flickering in her voice. “But only Dr. Oracle can do it. We’ve already called in Professor Prescott, Dr. Oracle’s top student, but he can only stabilize Mom for now-he can’t remove the clot. Irene, if you have time, please come to Neon Spire to see my mother one last time p>
One last time?
Irene blurted, “Who says Dr. Oracle is the only one who can do it? I know a healer who’s mastered the Golden Needle Channel Activation too p>