Chapter 3 The Bet

As the voice fell, a tall, thin figure walked out. It was James Smith.

"Who are you again, daring to speak such nonsense?" The middle-aged man was furious, and everyone could feel his anger.

Jennifer was startled and quickly grabbed James, and said, "James, what nonsense are you talking about? What do you know about treating illnesses? Stop causing trouble here and go home!"

Then she apologized to the middle-aged man, "Sorry, he's a bit out of his mind, talking nonsense. He doesn't understand anything about treating illnesses.

"Sir, please calm down. We are professional doctors and will definitely find a way to cure your child. Please give us some patience."

The middle-aged man replied, "Patience? I've given you too much patience already; that's why my child ended up like this!"

The middle-aged man was extremely angry, and stated, "Initially, my child just had a common skin condition, but you people at Lindwood City Hospital turned it into this!

"This is absolutely absurd, and your hospital can look forward to shutting down! If something really happens to my child, a bunch of quacks like you will all be held accountable."

His aura was too strong, even more imposing than the hospital director, leaving everyone breathless.

James frowned. During this time, he carefully observed the little boy and could vaguely see a faint green aura surrounding him. It was clearly not just a skin disease but something sinister!

No wonder medicine couldn't cure it and instead worsened the condition.

Moreover, the child's current condition was quite serious. Without timely treatment, there might be a risk to his life.

As a medical genius who ranked top in the family, James had absolute medical talent. After marrying into the Johnson family for five years, he spent most of his time studying medicine. It was no exaggeration to say that he was a contemporary healer.

Deep down, James was not one to seek the spotlight, yet upon witnessing Jennifer's anxious and forlorn expression, he decided to lend her a helping hand.

Additionally, he believed it was time for Jennifer to realize that he, James Smith, was no worthless individual.

Approaching again, he asked, "Does the child talk in his sleep strangely this past month?"

"How do you know?!" the middle-aged man replied and was surprised. He hadn't even told the doctors this secret. How did this young man know?

James smiled faintly and didn't answer directly. Instead, he said, "And the child has been avoiding sunlight recently, preferring to stay in the shade, isn't that, right?"

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's expression changed again, and he frowned. "Are you also a doctor at this hospital?" he questioned with seriousness.

Seeing the middle-aged man's expression, everyone realized that James was hitting the mark once again. Could this guy really understand how to treat illnesses?

Only Jennifer knew the truth that James was never a physician; he was merely a lazy freeloader who had been part of the Johnson Family for five years without holding a legitimate job, relying entirely on her for sustenance.

Witnessing James show off now, Jennifer felt irritated to the core, appalled by his shamelessness.

Under normal circumstances, she might have overlooked his behavior, but given the current situation, his disruptive antics were truly uncalled for!

"James! Enough!" Jennifer trembled with anger, and demanded, "Shut up! Tell me, how much trouble have you caused me since I married you! I've put up with you for five years, a grown man who doesn't work, living off me.

"I haven't said a word to you. And now, in this situation, you're still causing trouble. Are you really trying to make me lose my job? Are you even a decent human being?!"

Her words were loud, and everyone around heard them, looking at James with disdain.

James froze, his body stiff, and his heart stung sharply.

After five years of marriage, this was the first time Jennifer had spoken to him so harshly.

So, this was how she saw him in her eyes...

At that moment, James's heart ached.

Upon hearing this, some of the men who secretly admired Jennifer couldn't help but stifle a laugh, particularly John. His amusement was palpable, as if the recent slap he received was now but a distant memory.

"James, you truly are ungrateful," John chuckled, a smirk playing on his lips. "Jennifer treats you so well, and not only do you fail to appreciate it, but you also cause her trouble. You are unworthy of the title of a man."

Others joined in the mockery, savoring the spectacle of James Smith's folly.

Middle-aged men, on the other hand, were taken aback. How could someone as striking and accomplished as Dr. Johnson end up marrying such a spineless individual?

"Jennifer, am I really that unbearable in your eyes?" James gazed deeply at Jennifer, questioning her with his voice low.

Jennifer felt a twinge of guilt, but quickly shook it off. Because in her eyes, James was truly unbearable. If she hadn't been so persistent, she would have divorced him long ago!

Seeing Jennifer's reaction, James sighed. It seemed he really needed to prove himself.

"Why are you still standing here? Are you trying to embarrass us even more?" John lashed out, venting his anger on James.

Staring at him, James retorted, "Your medical skills are as rotten as your character."

John Johnson's expression immediately changed. "What did you say? Say it again if you dare!" he demanded furiously.

James rebutted sternly, "With your limited abilities, how dare you be in charge? This boy doesn't have chickenpox; he's infected with a decaying virus. Moreover, the boy has a special constitution and is allergic to the medicine. If you administer that injection, it will only worsen the patient's condition."

"Ridiculous!" John retorted fiercely. "You, a freeloader, are clueless! My medication is gentle; there's no chance he could be allergic."

Unwilling to engage with John, James was determined today to heal the young boy, to make John eat humble pie, and to show Jennifer that he was far from worthless.

Most importantly, if he didn't intervene, the boy's life would slip away within three days. To save a life was far more valuable than any show of strength; James couldn't stand idly by amidst a life-threatening situation.

"Trust me, I have absolute confidence that I can heal your son," James solemnly assured the middle-aged man.

His gaze was sincere, instilling a sense of belief in the man.

After a moment of contemplation, the middle-aged man decided to place his trust in James. He stated, "Very well, I'll give you a chance. But let me be clear—if you fail to heal him, don't expect me to be lenient."

Before James could speak, John loudly interjected, "He's not a doctor at our Lindwood City, just a vagrant! If you insist on letting him treat the boy and something goes wrong, it's not our hospital's responsibility. Think carefully!"

The middle-aged man's expression shifted at his words, glaring at James. "You're not a doctor?"

James replied, "No, I'm not."

The middle-aged man questioned, accusingly, "Damn! Are you trying to deceive me?"

Unfazed by the man's outburst, James remained composed. "Does it really matter if I'm a doctor if I can heal your son?" he stated calmly.

Perhaps James' calm and confident demeanor caused the middle-aged man to hesitate once more. He glanced at his son, who was undergoing torment, his heart in knots.

The father asked, anxiously, "Can you really heal my son?"

"I can," James answered and nodded.

"No way!" John stepped forward once more, challenging, "He simply cannot cure the patient. He's only here to retaliate against our hospital, intentionally stirring up trouble. If anything goes wrong with the treatment, it will be our hospital's responsibility."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Jennifer was full of disgust towards James. She said, "James, leave now. I'm utterly disappointed in you. If you can't do it, I won't blame you. But if you can't and still show off, are you trying to make me lose my job?"

James felt a renewed sense of frustration, yet his determination to heal the young boy grew stronger.

Taking a deep breath, he reassured, "Rest assured, this is my personal endeavor and has no affiliation with Lindwood City Hospital."

John dared him, saying, "Words are cheap. If you're capable, swear in front of all these people. If you fail to cure the patient, you'll bear full responsibility and leave Jennifer from then on, never setting foot in Lindwood City again!"

Wow! John Johnson's words were harsh, pushing James Smith to a dead end.

This guy, John Johnson, repeatedly humiliated him. He was angry, too.

James responded, "Fine! If I can't cure the patient, I'll take full responsibility and leave Jennifer from then on, never returning to Lindwood City."

He said it loudly and firmly, his stature inexplicably towering, momentarily stunning Jennifer.

Then, he stared at John, and asked, "But what if I do cure the patient?"

"Me? Hahahaha..." John burst into laughter as if he'd heard the best joke in the world.

John confidently said to James, "If you can cure the patient, I will kneel before you and lick your shoes in front of everyone. Additionally, I will resign from my hospital job!"