Chapter 4

"I'll prove it to you right now." Jolene dragged a medicine kit out from under the bed and opened it. Nine glinting silver needles were neatly arranged in a row. She picked up a long needle and, without hesitation, swiftly and accurately inserted it into an acupuncture point on Steven's leg. Tilting her head, she watched Steven's face intently and asked, "Can you feel anything?" This needle awakened the sensation in Steven's legs, which had been devoid of it. It caused a tingling like ant bites. As the numbness spread, Steven observed her serious expression as a dark glint flashed in his eyes. He rubbed his index finger against his thumb and turned his head away. Though he had an indifferent look on his face, there was a tight furrow on his brows. Jolene immediately noticed he was in pain. She gently pushed the needle deeper as she explained, "It's good if you can feel something. "I haven't treated anyone famous, and I don't have a medical license either. But I'm certain I can treat your legs. "Daily acupuncture to expel the hematomas combined with herbal medicine and massage could get you standing again in as little as a month, or six months at most." There was a stir in Steven's heart when he heard this. His aggressive demeanor faded a little. "What do you want?" There was no such thing as a free lunch, especially for a businessman like him. Jolene paused, feeling a bit embarrassed. "My grandma was taken to Arcadia by the Patels. They want the project you have with Horizon Group so that Kathrine can marry Bradson." Even as a country girl, Jolene had heard of Horizon Group, which was a multinational corporation much bigger than the dominant Welsh Corporation in Arcadia. That project was highly coveted after. Jolene watched him nervously. She felt guilty and sympathized with how unfortunate Steven was. Not only would he lose his resources, but he would also have to lose Kathrine, who was originally his fiancée, to someone else. Steven sneered. Jolene felt disappointed to see that. "I'm sorry, I was out of line." She bent down to remove the needle, packed the medicine kit, and left the room. Watching her disheartened figure walking away, Steven's eyes darkened. He picked up the phone from the bedside table and dialed a number. "Vance, it's me." On the other end of the line, Vance Granger sounded as if he had just had the greatest shock of his life. "Mr. Welsh, you're awake! I thought we'd be preparing for your funeral." Steven gave a simple order, "Get me the documents on the project between Horizon Group and Welsh Corporation, and make some adjustments." "Got it," Vance replied, turning serious. "Just a heads-up, the car accident wasn't simple, but there's no evidence. I couldn't find anything." Steven's expression remained cold. "No need to investigate further. I know who it was." "Could it be Bradson's family? That bastard doesn't have anything to offer, but he has plenty of sneaky tricks up his sleeve! Are you planning to hand the documents to him? If so, I'd better make some significant changes." Steven cut him off, "Just do what I asked. And I need you to look into someone." "Who?" "Jolene…" "Oh, your wife," Vance quickly responded. Steven didn't correct him. He continued, "Look into her background, see if she has any connections to the main branch. Use the covert team if necessary." Vance's breathing quickened. "You think she's a spy from the main branch? That means you're in danger! Do you need bodyguards to be with you 24/7…" Steven hung up the phone, cutting off Vance's endless complaints. He lowered his eyes slightly, his side profile illuminated in the fluctuating light. He thought about the stubborn and beautiful Jolene as he rubbed his fingers against the edge of the bed. How coincidental it was that the Patel family sent a substitute bride who claimed she could heal him just when his legs were paralyzed. And Jolene had spun a web of lies just to exchange it for his project. He never believed in free lunches. And besides, her appearance… … In the living room, Jolene descended the stairs in her white wedding dress. Daphne took her hand and said, "I've prepared a set of clothes that belongs to my daughter. "Go change into them. I'll take you shopping to buy some clothes and jewelry." "No need, I…" Daphne wouldn't hear any of her nonsense. She urged Jolene to change into the clothes and had the chauffeur, Norman Beltran, take them to a bustling mall in Arcadia. As soon as they entered the mall, Daphne started shopping like crazy. "These, and this one too! Wrap them all up. Jolene, you'll look great in these." "It's too much. Actually…" Jolene remembered Steven saying the wedding gift from Daphne was locked in the stock market, and she started to worry. Even the cheapest clothes here were over ten grand, which was more than what she would spend in half a year in the countryside. She didn't have enough savings to cover the expenses. "Young women should dress up in vibrant colors. You're like half a daughter of mine. There's no need for formality between mother and daughter," Daphne said warmly. Light flashed in Jolene's eyes. They swept through the clothing stores and moved on to the jewelry store, but trouble came knocking on their door. "Well well, if it isn't Madam Daphne. You still have time for shopping? I heard your son woke up. Congratulations! "It's a shame he's now a cripple. So, I guess the Welsh family's inheritance will go to the main branch," a socialite sneered, covering her mouth. Steven had been so outstanding. He had outshone many others, so now that he was down on his luck, everyone wanted to take the opportunity to step on him. Daphne sneered back, "Mrs. Gibbs, I heard your son ended up in the hospital from fooling around with women. Better watch out, or he might die on top of one someday. Oops, but that's not a big deal, right?" "You!" The lady was seething. "What about me? Even if my son is disabled, he's better than your son! I also heard that the Gibbs family searched far and wide for a famous doctor, but he couldn't cure your son's infertility. Looks like the Gibbs family is coming to an end." Daphne's eyes shot daggers. Every word struck a nerve. It was a well-known fact in Arcadia that the Gibbs family's only son struggled to have children. Plus, he tried out all sorts of medication and made a fool of himself. The lady, Susan Rowe, wasn't one to back down. "Your son is no better! Sooner or later, we'll find Dr. Ashton, and don't come begging me then!" "Beg you? Ridiculous! Steven is blessed, and perhaps Dr. Ashton might come knocking on our door to treat him." When it came to aristocratic disputes, Daphne's sharp tongue won out. "Don't forget, the Gibbs family holds the land. Let's see how Steven handles the project with Horizon Group!" Susan stormed off with her bag in a fury. Hearing about the project with Horizon Group, the light in Jolene's eyes flickered with something unclear. Daphne took a moment to adjust. She turned and pointed to the glass case on the top shelf. "I'd like to see that sapphire necklace." The sales associate put on white gloves, took out the jewelry box, and praised, "You have great taste." Seeing the string of zeros on the price tag made Jolene dizzy. Before she could react, Daphne had put it on her. The teardrop sapphire pendant highlighted Jolene's fair skin, reflecting bright lights that made her look like she was glowing. "It suits you," Daphne commented admiringly. Jolene shook her head and bit her lip. She solemnly said, "I wouldn't refuse a gift from an elder, but you've given me so much. I can't accept this necklace." "Alas, fine…" Daphne gave the necklace one last look before putting it back. Jolene took the opportunity to ask her question, "Who exactly is Dr. Ashton? It seems like all the wealthy families in Arcadia are looking for him." Holding her arm, Daphne explained while walking, "Gabriel Ashton, aka Dr. Ashton, is a renowned doctor known for his miraculous acupuncture skills that can cure any difficult ailment. He's guaranteed to cure any illness. "But he retired at 60. No one knows where he is, though it's rumored he took on an apprentice." Even if they couldn't find Gabriel, getting his apprentice seemed like a feasible choice. Everyone was prone to ailments and sickness, and wealthy people valued their health greatly. In times of life and death, it was a great asset to have a famous doctor on their side. Jolene nodded to hear that. Her neighbor in the countryside was also skilled in acupuncture. She had learned the treatment for hematomas from him. For a moment, she had a ridiculous thought but quickly dismissed it. Although her neighbor had the last name Ashton, his first name wasn't Gabriel. They couldn't be the same person because how could a doctor of such prestige stay in the countryside? "If we can find Gabriel, Steven's…" Daphne's words were interrupted by the vibration of her phone. She released Jolene's hand to answer it. "Hello." Jolene had no idea what the caller said, but she noticed a drastic change in Daphne's expression. Daphne's face paled as she yelled, "Tell that bastard to wait! I'll be right there!"