Chapter 5: Heavenly Thirteen Needles

Words : 1981 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

"Is that the Heavenly Thirteen Needles?" Stephen stared at Fabian Farrell, thunderstruck. The scorn he'd worn moments before had vanished, swept away by shock and a surge of excitement that crashed through him like a tidal wave. "You know the Heavenly Thirteen Needles?" Fabian was surprised as well. He hadn't expected anyone these days to recognize it. Hunter had told him the technique had been lost to time and urged him to keep it alive. Fabian had assumed no one else would know. Stephen, of course, was no ordinary man. His family had been renowned physicians for generations. He knew the power of the Heavenly Thirteen Needles and had tried to learn it himself. After a long struggle, he still couldn't grasp the basics and, in the end, had to give up. Just then, Hugo stirred and woke up. "Hugo Ferguson, thank goodness! You finally woke up-you scared me half to death!" Bella Doyle cried out, her lovely face finally brightening with a smile. "He woke up that fast?" "Unbelievable-now that's a Miracle Doctor!" "I thought Hugo was beyond saving, and he actually woke up." The onlookers erupted, everyone talking at once as if each of them had been the one to save him. Many lifted their phones to snap photos, eager to go home and tell their families about the incredible medical skill they'd just seen. "Bella?" Hugo opened his eyes slowly, still weak. "Why are you here? What happened to me?" "You suddenly collapsed from a heart attack, and my friend brought you back," Bella said, looping her arm through Fabian's with quiet pride. "Young man, was it you who saved me? Thank you-I owe you," Hugo said, startled and deeply grateful. "It was nothing. I'm Bella's friend. She was very worried about you. Saving you was the right thing to do," Fabian replied, calm and steady. He didn't preen or boast. He simply stood there, composed. This was the Ferguson family, one of Haltoria's most prominent families. Most people would be overwhelmed by a debt of gratitude like this. Fabian, however, seemed not to care at all. Hugo nodded, a satisfied smile touching his lips. "Make way! Where is the patient?" As Hugo woke, the wail of an ambulance siren rose on the street. The paramedics hurried over. "Young man, you saved my life. The Ferguson family will see you properly thanked," Hugo said before climbing into the ambulance. The ambulance roared off. Fabian turned to gather his silver needles, ready to leave. "Amazing? How?" someone shouted. A wave of applause broke out. Only after the ambulance had gone did the crowd burst into cheers and praise. "Hmph. Amazing? What's so amazing about that? That was pure fluke-just dumb luck," the assistant muttered. Though he was shaken, contempt still twisted his face. "Shut your mouth," Stephen snapped, shooting him a withering look. Then he strode toward Fabian, excitement quickening his step. "Young man, my apologies," he said. "I never imagined you had mastered the Heavenly Thirteen Needles. I have pursued excellence in medicine all my life, and I thought I had achieved something. I hope you won't hold my attitude against me. I apologize." "Doctor, he was just lucky. He's not on your level," the assistant, Winston, chimed in, simpering. Stephen silenced him with another glare, then watched as Fabian slid the last needle into its case. Fabian gave a cold, brief laugh and looked Stephen in the eye. "Because of your arrogance, the old man nearly died. But since you meant well for the patient, I won't hold it against you." He started to go, then paused, as if a thought had struck. He glanced back at Stephen. "Your assistant has bad intentions. Keep him around and he'll turn on you sooner or later. Watch your back." Stephen's heart jolted. He hadn't expected this young man to be not only a superb physician but also so keenly observant. He'd heard Winston's words earlier but, in the urgency of the moment, had let them slip his mind. He hadn't expected the young man to catch that too. Fabian walked away. Stephen rounded on his assistant, anger surging. "Winston! You've disappointed me deeply. From now on, you're fired." He took the case from Winston's hands and spoke with sober finality. "What? You're firing me?" Winston grabbed at Stephen's sleeve, panic rising. "Doctor, I was wrong. I won't do it again. Please let me stay with you. Otherwise I won't be able to graduate!" "You should have thought of that earlier. Get out," Stephen said, unmoved, and turned to leave. Watching Stephen walk away without a backward glance, the assistant's eyes went vicious, almost feral. He jabbed a finger after him. "Old man, how much work have I done for you all these years? And just over one remark from that punk, you fire me? You'd better not regret this!" He tore off the ID badge on his lanyard, flung it aside in a rage, shot Fabian a poisonous look, and stalked away. Stephen nearly choked with fury at that outburst. The other assistants hurried to steady him. Fabian said gently, "Dr. Stephen, don't let it get to you. Someone with such a violent temper and no medical ethics would only bring disaster if he stayed. It's better that he left." Stephen nodded slowly. Then he hurried after Fabian and spoke earnestly. "Your medical skill is extraordinary. I'm not your equal. Would you consider taking me as your apprentice?" Fabian quickly waved it off. "You flatter me, Dr. Stephen. We each have our own expertise. Let's keep in touch and learn from each other-play to each other's strengths." Seeing Stephen admit fault, accept advice, and change course, Fabian's impression of him improved. A man who could detect his own mistakes and correct them promptly was no villain. He could even be called a master. The onlookers were stunned all over again. Phones swung around to follow the two of them. No one had expected one of Haltoria's leading physicians to ask to be his apprentice to someone so young. How capable was this young man, if even Stephen felt humbled? Dexter stood gaping. He had never imagined that someone who had never even been to a big city before could possess such astonishing skill. As Fabian was about to get into the car, Stephen pressed his business card into his hand. Then he left with the remaining assistants. Once the key figures had left, the crowd drifted off, whispering. "Fabian, thank you," Bella said, her voice bright with relief. Fabian grinned, the solemnity melting from him. He patted his stomach. "I'm starving…" Bella laughed and tugged him into the car. Dexter stayed quiet the whole ride, glancing now and then at the two in the back seat as they chatted and joked, a knot of gloom tightening in his chest. Soon the luxury car pulled up before a lavish mansion. The home, usually bustling, lay unusually quiet, as if something had happened. A staff member at the gate saw the car, hesitated, then opened the doors. The car rolled into the grounds. Fabian stared at the sweeping mansion and the vast gardens, rooted to the spot. The Doyle family was one of Haltoria's most prominent families, and they were loaded. This single mansion alone had cost well over a hundred million dollars. It looked grand and opulent. Bella drew Fabian toward the house. She pushed the door open. There was no sign of her parents, and even her younger brother, Carlos Doyle, was not home.

Chapter 5: Heavenly Thirteen Needles

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