THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 759

Valerium boasted the most advanced medical technology in the world, with access to top-of-the-line equipment. Yet, even with all these resources, no one had been able to diagnose Brock's condition. This alone proved it was no ordinary illness.

What were Caitlin's two needles supposed to do? If a diagnosis could be made with a couple of pins, what was the point of all their expensive medical machines? The manufacturers might as well start producing needles instead.

The others in the room shared the doctors' skepticism. Rosemary covered her mouth with her hand, affecting an air of aristocratic poise, but her eyes were filled with scorn. Celia might be naive and easy to fool, but Mrs. Palmer was not. Caitlin was playing a dangerous game. This was Valerium, and the Gonzales family wouldn't be able to protect her here.

*That little bitch is as good as dead,* Rosemary thought with a surge of satisfaction. Her own brother was gone. Why should Stuart get to have descendants? Stuart deserved to die alone.

Even Mrs. Palmer felt a flicker of doubt. Two needles… could two needles really determine what was wrong with her son?

Only Celia's faith in Caitlin remained unshaken. She took her mother's arm. "Mother, Eldemerian acupuncture is truly amazing. My own recovery was thanks to a combination of treatments that included it."

Mrs. Palmer nodded, trying to hold on to that hope.

As Caitlin finished inserting the second needle, Francis narrowed his eyes and whispered to his companion, James, "I believe this is what they call acupuncture."

"What's acupuncture?" James asked.

Francis, who had once read a book on the history of traditional Eldemerian medicine, explained, "It's an ancient practice from Eldermere, dating back to a time when their understanding of pharmacology was limited. So they developed this technique. The theory is that inserting needles into specific points on the body can alleviate symptoms."

James nearly laughed out loud. "The people of Eldermere really are primitive. It's the twenty-first century, and they're still using such backward methods! Don't they know that these ‘acupoints' are pure fantasy?"

Western medicine did not recognize the existence of acupoints, dismissing them as unscientific nonsense. The other doctors watched Caitlin with the amusement of spectators at a circus.

Though they tried to keep their voices down, the room was so quiet that their whispers were audible. Caitlin, however, remained perfectly composed, her elegant face as calm and unruffled as a lake on a windless day.

Time ticked by.

Suddenly, Francis noticed something. The golden needles in Brock's wrists were changing color.

"Look, the needles are turning black."

The other doctors leaned in for a closer look. It was true. The needles were visibly darkening before their eyes.

Mrs. Palmer, her voice strained with worry, added, "Yes, Miss Gonzales, please tell us what's wrong with Brock." As a mother, all she wanted was to know what was afflicting her son. Only with a diagnosis could there be any hope for a cure.

All eyes were on Caitlin. She stood there, unflustered, and met Lance's gaze directly. The light from the crystal chandelier above illuminated her face, making her fair skin seem almost translucent. After a moment, she parted her lips and spoke, her voice calm and steady.

"Mr. Brock's illness is not a hereditary disease, nor is he cursed."

Not hereditary? Not a curse? Then what was it? The onlookers exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what she was getting at.

Just as Mrs. Palmer was about to ask, Caitlin continued, "Mr. Brock has been infected by a parasite known as Lasug. That is the cause of his coma."

Her voice was not loud, but it carried clearly to every corner of the room.

A parasite?

The doctors immediately began murmuring among themselves. A sarcastic smile played on Lance's lips. "Miss Gonzales, you seem to be underestimating Valerium's medical capabilities. For the past three years, Patriarch Brock has undergone regular, comprehensive health screenings, which include parasite tests."