A Storm Gathers at the Ravenswood Clinic
[Idiot... eager to deliver yourself to Steffan, huh?]
[Fine. If you want to walk straight into his trap, then go ahead. You’re the one delivering yourself—not me.]
Only the women fated to hear Julian’s hidden thoughts could perceive those silent words. To everyone else, including Zyan, Julian had simply fallen silent.
Naturally, Zyan heard nothing.
Instead, he mistook Julian’s calm attitude for arrogance.
His face grew even darker as he shot Julian one last icy glare before letting out a cold snort.
Without another word, he spun around and strode away with the Ashbourne household’s entourage following close behind.
The sound of their footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
Julian quietly watched their retreating figures until they disappeared from sight.
His fingers tapped lightly against his arm as countless thoughts crossed his mind.
Originally, he had intended to stop the Ashbourne household from becoming another weapon in Steffan’s hands.
Unfortunately...
Some people simply refused to listen.
If Zyan insisted on courting death, Julian wasn’t about to waste any more effort trying to save him.
His target had never been Zyan.
His real objective...
Was Bianca De Dominicis.
As for Steffan...
Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly.
If Steffan intended to use Zyan as a pawn to regain control of the situation, then perhaps this apparent disadvantage could become the perfect opportunity.
A trap could always become a countertrap.
Rather than allowing Steffan to dictate the battlefield...
Julian intended to use this chance to erase him completely.
The corners of his lips curved upward into a faint smile.
Sometimes the fastest way to defeat an enemy...
Was to let them believe they were winning.
After Zyan Ashbourne had completely disappeared, Julian shifted his attention toward Felberta Ashbourne.
The young woman stood quietly nearby, her beautiful face filled with worry.
Her crimson eyes betrayed the exhaustion she had tried so hard to hide.
For days she had watched her father endure relentless suffering, yet she could do nothing except search desperately for anyone capable of saving him.
Julian smiled gently before speaking.
"Miss Ashbourne, you didn’t come to ask me to act as a mediator with the Ravenswood household, did you?"
Felberta hesitated for a moment before nodding softly.
"Can Young Master Julian persuade the Ravenswood household?"
There was hope in her voice.
It wasn’t blind optimism.
It was simply the desperation of a daughter who refused to give up while there was still even the smallest chance.
Julian slowly shook his head.
"No. Senior Miracle Doctor Ravenswood has always followed his own principles. Besides... the Ravenswood household’s medicine and Acupuncture Therapy may not be able to solve your father’s condition."
Felberta lowered her eyes.
The tiny spark of hope inside her dimmed, yet it didn’t disappear completely.
She bit her lower lip before looking back at Julian.
"Then... does Young Master Julian have a solution?"
Her voice softened.
"If you can help my father, name your terms. I’ll do everything in my power to fulfill them."
There wasn’t the slightest hesitation in her words.
To her, wealth, influence, and status meant nothing compared to her father’s life.
Julian studied her quietly.
He remained silent for several seconds, carefully weighing the timing.
Everything was already moving according to a new path.
The original future had been shattered.
Now he simply needed to make sure every piece fell into the position he wanted.
After a brief pause, he finally spoke.
"I can treat him."
Felberta’s eyes immediately brightened.
"But..."
Julian calmly raised two fingers.
"I have two conditions."
"Please tell me."
She answered almost instantly.
"So long as they aren’t impossible, I’ll agree."
Julian nodded.
"First..."
"The Ashbourne household must help me deal with Steffan and everyone standing behind him."
The room fell quiet.
Felberta didn’t answer immediately.
She carefully considered his request before giving a firm nod.
"No problem."
Her voice carried unexpected determination.
"Steffan is also an enemy of the Ashbourne household."
Julian wasn’t surprised.
After everything that had happened recently, conflict between the two sides had become unavoidable.
Since their interests already clashed...
An alliance was only natural.
Satisfied, Julian raised his second finger.
"My second condition."
"I need three thousand-year Frostheart Ginsengs."
His tone remained relaxed, as though he were asking for something ordinary.
In reality...
Even finding one thousand-year Frostheart Ginseng was extremely difficult.
Finding three would require both immense wealth and extraordinary connections.
Felberta was visibly startled.
Even so, she didn’t refuse.
Instead, she nodded after only a brief hesitation.
"I’ll do everything I can to find them."
"I can’t promise how quickly I’ll succeed..."
"But I will."
Julian smiled.
That answer was enough.
The Frostheart Ginseng was one of the essential ingredients needed to refine the Nine way cleansing exilir.
Originally, he had planned to wait for a suitable opportunity before helping the Ashbourne household.
Now...
The opportunity had arrived on its own.
Not only could he cure Dario Ashbourne...
He could also draw the entire Ashbourne household onto his side against Steffan and the Obsidian Wing.
It was a deal that benefited everyone involved.
"Then it’s settled."
Julian chuckled softly.
His confidence wasn’t empty bravado.
The Miracle Medicine Record already contained a complete treatment for Dario Ashbourne’s strange illness.
The only inconvenience...
Was that the treatment required careful preparation.
It couldn’t be completed overnight.
Felberta felt an enormous burden lift from her heart.
For the first time in many days, genuine relief appeared on her face.
The anxiety weighing upon her chest finally eased, if only slightly.
She looked at Julian expectantly.
"Young Master Julian..."
"Can you return to Silverhaven City with me today?"
Every additional day her father suffered felt like an eternity.
She desperately wanted to bring Julian back immediately.
Julian gave a helpless smile.
"I still need to prepare a few things."
"Give me two days."
"I’ll make the necessary arrangements before leaving."
His words were calm, but his thoughts were already turning toward another matter entirely.
Preparing medicine was only part of the task.
The greater challenge...
Would be preparing for Steffan.