Chapter 758
“In fact, he had one just last week. If he were truly infected with a parasite, why would his stool analysis reports all come back normal?” Parasite detection was straightforward: a simple lab analysis of a stool sample would reveal the presence of eggs, which are shed from the body.
His words were met with nods of agreement from the others. “Exactly. With Valerium’s advanced medical equipment, how could we possibly miss something as simple as a parasite infection p>
Caitlin’s diagnosis was, to them, utterly preposterous.
Even Rosemary couldn’t suppress a laugh. A parasite? Caitlin really had some
nerve.
*Just wait,* she thought. *She’s not long for this world p>
Lance’s eyes narrowed, pinning Caitlin with his gaze. “Miss Gonzales, as a doctor, medical ethics should be your highest priority. Where is your integrity? If you are unable to diagnose Patriarch Brock’s condition, you should admit it, not invent a random illness to pin on him. What you are doing is no different from medical malpractice p>
He paused, then delivered his final blow. “Is it really so difficult for you to admit that Eldemerian medicine is inferior p>
Anyone else would have been incensed by such a blatant insult, but Caitlin’s expression didn’t even flicker. Her composure was absolute as she met his gaze, her aura powerful and unwavering. “I could ask you the same question,” she replied, her voice cool and cutting. “Is it so difficult for you to admit that Valerian medicine has its limits? You keep boasting about your advanced equipment, yet you failed to detect a simple parasite. Instead of reflecting on your own shortcomings, you point the finger at me. Tell me, are you truly a doctor p>
Though young, Caitlin possessed an intimidating presence that seemed to command the room. She was more than a match for the older, more experienced Lance; in that moment, she was the one in control.
Lance scowled. “Nonsense! You’re just spouting nonsense! You claim Patriarch Brock is infected with a parasite, so I ask you again: why are all of his lab reports normal?” This girl from Eldermere was a master of deception, and nothing more.
“The reports you refer to are normal only because no parasite eggs were found in the samples,” Caitlin explained patiently. “The Lasug parasite, much like a protozoan, reproduces asexually through binary fission. It divides to multiply within the host’s body, which means it never produces eggs p>
And with no eggs to detect, a standard stool analysis would, of course, come back clean. This was why, despite numerous screenings, Brock’s condition had remained a mystery.
Lance’s eyes widened. He had not considered that possibility. Could it be… could Brock really be infected with a parasite?
No. Impossible. If he were, Lance would have found some indication of it. More importantly, confirming a parasite infection required a battery of tests. And this “Lasug parasite” Caitlin spoke of—he had never even heard of it. She had to be making it all up.
Lance scoffed. “If Mr. Brock is truly infected with this so-called Lasug parasite, then why have the previous heads of the Palmer family all
suffered from the exact same
2-And why have none.
symptoms? And
them lived past the age of
of
twenty-eight? Are you suggesting
that this parasite is hereditary and only affects males p>
At this, Rosemary, who had been silent, interjected, “I may not be a medical
expert, but even I know that parasites are typically transmitted through contaminated food or water. If Patriarch Brock were infected, it makes no sense that only the male members of the Palmer family would be affected p>
“Yes, Miss Vance makes a good point p>
“Does this Eldemerian really think we’re that gullible p>
Caitlin’s expression remained unchanged. Without even glancing at Rosemary, she turned her attention to Mrs. Palmer. “Mrs. Palmer, is it true that before the age of twenty, Mr. Brock and the other heads of the Palmer family all visited the Skedahar Glacier p>
“Yes, that’s correct,” Mrs. Palmer confirmed, a look of astonishment on her face. How could Caitlin possibly know that?
Caitlin nodded. “The Skedahar Glacier is permanently covered in ice and snow. Buried beneath it are ancient viruses that have been frozen for thousands of years. Lasug is not only a parasite but also one of these ancient viruses. That’s why standard tests were unable to identify the true cause of the illness p>
The others in the room looked on,
utterly bemused. So, Caitlin was claiming that Brock and the other Palmer men had contracted a parasite simply by visiting a glacier? But the Skedahar Glacier wasn’t some forbidden zone; tourists from all over the world visited it every year. If it were that easy to get infected, why weren’t there reports of this happening to others? It was a ridiculous theory. Were they supposed to believe this nonsense?
Just as Lance was about to voice his objections, Caitlin spoke again. “Of course, many people visit the Skedahar Glacier each year. If Lasug were that easily transmitted, we would have a global pandemic on ur hands. So, there can be only one explanation Brock and the When Mr. other men of the Palmer family visited the glacier, they did more than just sightsee. They must have consumed a type of ice crystal found deep within the ice p>
She turned to Mrs. Palmer. “Am I correct, Mrs. Palmer p>