Chapter 688
But Keira showed no sign of stopping her. In fact, she looked rather proud. Had she not grasped the severity of the situation? Suzanne frowned imperceptibly.
Justus had seen enough. Caitlin was nothing but an empty-headed beauty, all surface and no substance. He suppressed a scoff and continued, “Miss Gonzales, if you’re saying the original formula was yours, why didn’t you patent it and develop the cure before Professor Smith did?” If she had, she would be the one receiving worldwide acclaim right now.
Caitlin’s voice remained calm. “As I said, this formula is not a universal cure for epilepsy. I originally prescribed it for Celia Palmer. Her case was unique, so I included two toxic ingredients in the prescription—a high-risk, high-reward approach p>
“This treatment,” she explained, “is only effective when combined with dry needling. It’s a process of pushing the body to the brink of death to trigger a rebirth p>
*Celia?* The name made Justus pause. “Miss Gonzales, are you referring to Celia Palmer, from the noble Palmer family of Valerium p>
“That’s correct p>
Justus was even more dumbfounded. He had asked the question thinking she wouldn’t dare make such a bold claim. This was Celia Palmer they were talking about. And yet, Caitlin had nodded without hesitation.
“So, you’re saying you’re also Miss Palmer’s savior p>
Keira beamed. “That’s right. To thank our Freya, Miss Palmer even gave her a jade token from the Palmer family p>
A jade token? That rumor had been circulating among the elite. The Sterlings, having just returned from Valerium, had heard the legendary tales of Caitlin Gonzales. But they hadn’t paid them much mind. Others might not know, but the Sterlings were well aware of the long-standing relationship between the Richards family of Neon Spire and the Palmers. Justus was convinced Celia had given Caitlin the token purely out of respect for the Richards family. It had nothing to do with Caitlin herself.
And now, he was hearing this ridiculous version of the story from Keira. Did she really think the Sterlings were ignorant of the connection between the two families? If they hadn’t known, they might have actually been fooled.
Though he saw through the charade, Justus didn’t expose it. He simply smiled. “Miss Gonzales’s medical skills are truly legendary. Not only did you cure your own father, but you also saved Miss Palmer p>
“We’re the same age,” he added, his tone dripping with false humility, “yet in your presence, I feel as insignificant as dust p>
The words were praise, but the subtext was pure sarcasm. Justus despised entitled heirs like Caitlin who did nothing but coast on their family name. If it weren’t for her powerful background, he wouldn’t have been nearly so polite.
Keira, however, took his words at face value. She believed he was genuinely humbled by her granddaughter’s accomplishments. After all, Freya was truly exceptional.
“Justus, you’re being too hard on yourself!” she said with a cheerful smile. “Our Freya is brilliant, of course, but you’re very accomplished yourself. Your grandmother told me you started your own company at such a young age p>
She paused, then added, “You may not be on her level yet, but I’m sure if you keep working hard, you’ll catch up to her one day p>
Her sincerity was disarming. Justus was speechless. He was just being polite, but Keira had taken it as a genuine admission of inferiority, He was the founder of AuraFin Group. Even without his family name, his net worth was already in the seven figures. That might be pocket change to the truly wealthy, but for an ordinary person, it was a lifetime of earnings. How many scions of elite families could earn a million dollars on their own?
Could Caitlin? Without the Gonzales and Richards families, she’d be just another divorced girl from the countryside. Her entire glamorous identity had been handed to her. If she was so brilliant, why hadn’t she
Share when she was living in
obscurity? The answer was obvious.
It was clear now where Caitlin got it from. With a grandmother like Keira, it was no wonder she was so full of herself.
Justus forced another smile. “You’re right to correct me, Grandma Keira. I’ll do my best to follow in Miss Gonzales’s footsteps p>
Keira nodded approvingly. “You’re a good, sensible boy. And so well-spoken. You have a bright future ahead of you p>
“I hope your kind words come true p>
Keira glanced at the clock. “It’s getting late. Freya, you should start Mr. Sterling’s treatment p>
Before Caitlin could respond, Suzanne cut in. “Keira, since Justus has already bought the cure, I think it’s best if we don’t trouble Freya any further p>
Keira was taken aback. “So, you’re going to give Hoffman the Smith Pill?” Suzanne nodded.
Keira frowned. “But Freya said it could be dangerous. Suzanne, the consequences could be severe. You need to think this through!” She and Suzanne had been friends for years; she couldn’t bear to watch her make a terrible mistake. Tammie’s death was still a fresh wound.