Chapter 9: When the main pulse fell silent and only the faint one fluttered-how long could he last...

"The people who want me dead most in this world are my own family." Ford Looske gave a wry smile. Remy Fouldes frowned. "How is that possible? In both politics and business, you're a heavyweight. The Looske family only holds together because of you." A man like Ford, as long as he was still breathing, kept the Looske family untouchable. "Forseas Group. Fifty-one percent of the shares are in my hands." Ford smiled. "As long as I'm alive, they don't get to call the shots." It clicked for Remy, and he couldn't resist teasing: "At your age, why cling to these material things?" He switched gears without missing a beat. "Why not just transfer the shares to me?" "I can handle the pressure, and they can't take me down." Ford glanced up at Remy, a little exasperated, then spoke with a complicated look. "I've met plenty of suitors for Nina. Each had his strengths; none was truly bad." "You may not be the most accomplished, but you're definitely the most shameless." "Besides, ninety is a great age to hustle. I don't see why I should kick back." Remy fell silent. He'd met his match-the old man was even more brazen than he was. "In the whole Looske family, only you and Nina don't want me dead," Ford continued. "You, of course, for your own future. No shame in that." Remy perked up. "And how did you figure Nina doesn't want you dead?" Ford chuckled. "She grew up with me. Spent far more time by my side than with her parents. I know her. Otherwise, why would she put up with your nonsense?" "Unfortunately, once she came of age, she got mixed up with the rich set and started thinking about grabbing power." "I wanted her married to get her out of this house." He couldn't help shaking his head. "But the girl bargained with me. She insisted on bringing her husband into our household instead." "Still, it's not all bad. At least you can keep her in check. In that, I'm satisfied." Remy blinked. "Didn't you have a Taoist pick an auspicious marriage to boost your luck and ward off illness?" "Only you would believe that." "At my age, I don't care about such superstitions. But the Looske family can't fall apart." "The moment I hand over those shares, my kids from out of town will come flooding back. Then all hell will break loose." Remy finally remembered Ford had more than one son besides Harley Looske. Ford gave a self-mocking smile. "I only dare say this to you-an outsider. Pathetic, isn't it?" Remy bristled. "What's that supposed to mean? Am I your trash can now?" "Makes me want to toss you in the lake for a couple laps." Ford burst out laughing. "Know why I'm willing to be alone with you?" "Because you're the one who least wants me dead." "To be honest, I don't even feel safe alone with the others in the Looske family." Remy shook his head. "All that scheming gives me a headache. Let's get down to business." Ford paused. "What do you mean?" "Nothing much. I want to take your pulse." He waved a hand, and the medical staff waiting nearby hurried over. "Head back to your room and rest." When Remy said it, Ford nodded right away and soon let himself be escorted away. Nina Looske didn't chase after them. She turned to Remy instead. "What did you say to Grandpa?" Remy sighed. "Your grandpa insists on giving me those shares. Wouldn't listen to a word I said. It's a headache." Nina burst out laughing. "You and your tall tales." Suddenly, Remy caught her chin between his fingers. "What happened to the basic trust between husband and wife?" He let go abruptly and, looking disgusted, wiped his fingers on her sleeve. "Did you plaster on that foundation?" "You cake it on every day like a ghost. So annoying." He snorted and walked off, leaving Nina standing there, bewildered. She'd only used a light touch. By the time Remy entered the suite, Ford was already stretched out on the bed-he actually looked fairly robust. Remy ignored the others gathered around, sat at the head of the bed, and picked up an apple like he owned the place. "You can all leave," Ford said. His word carried weight. In a flash, the room emptied. Remy didn't rush to take the pulse. He glanced at Ford instead. "Tell the pigs behind the wall to beat it, too." A flicker of surprise crossed Ford's eyes as he sized up Remy. Seeing he was serious, Ford lifted a hand. "Come out." The moment he spoke, a section of the white wall swung open, and several men and women in plain clothes stepped through a hidden door. "My bodyguards. Ellie," Ford said, nodding at the woman in front. Ellie was strikingly beautiful, her gaze cold as ice. "These people are my lifeline. I trust them." Remy nodded. "How did you know we were there?" Ellie asked, puzzled. Many visitors came to see Ford, but no one had ever figured them out. Remy bit into the apple. "I'm an old hand at traditional medicine. At this distance, I can hear you swallow." Ellie's eyes narrowed. A wave of inexplicable defeat washed over her. They knew Remy's recent exploits well; in fact, they'd passed much of that intel to Ford. Being discovered by a supposedly meek son-in-law stung their pride. Remy quit wasting words. He placed two fingers on Ford's wrist and closed his eyes, swaying like some back-alley mystic. Ellie and the others ground their teeth at the sight. Ford barely reacted, simply waiting. A good ten minutes later, Remy finally stopped. "How is it?" Ford couldn't help asking. Remy's face had gone somber. He said nothing, just kept chewing his apple. Everyone's heart sank. "Well," Remy finally said, "based on my many years of clinical experience…" "This pulse…" "Cut to the chase," Ford snapped. "Hm… the main pulse isn't beating-only the faint one is. At most, you'll live until…" Before he finished, Ford waved him off, face twisted in disdain. "Out, out, out." Ellie and the others were speechless. She didn't even know what she'd expected. "In spring, if you feel an autumn pulse, metal overcomes wood; death falls in the months of the monkey and rooster. In summer, if you find a winter pulse, same deal," Remy recited calmly. "In that case, expect the end around the water months. And if in deep winter you feel a 'four seasons' pulse, the earth months spell disaster." At that, everyone stared. You can't fake that kind of classic line. "Your situation is tricky," Remy continued. "You've been downing way too many tonics. Your body can't process them, let alone get stronger." Ford narrowed his eyes. The words matched the hospital's verdict almost exactly. "Is there a way?" Ellie asked urgently. Remy smiled. "Before, there was nothing to be done. As for now…" All eyes lit up. Remy spread his hands. "Still nothing." She clenched her fists until her knuckles cracked, anger flaring in her eyes. Ford didn't seem surprised. He looked at Remy with genuine interest. "You're something else." Remy waved him off. "No solution for now. Give it a little time-I can give you a one-time tune-up." "But don't swallow another random tonic in the meantime. If your body can't handle it, you could bleed from every orifice and drop dead." A light flickered in Ford's gaze. He probed gently. "The doctors said there were signs of systemic organ failure. Could it be…?" Remy nodded. "Yeah. At your age, some parts are worn thin. Keep piling on the strain and something will blow. The rest isn't too serious." He shifted gears. "All right, that's the diagnosis. Time to pay the consultation fee." Ford chuckled. "Spent that eighty-thousand-dollar wedding 'arrival' gift already?" "Not exactly. It's just, in my position… empty pockets make me nervous. No harm squirreling away a little nest egg." Ford didn't argue. Admiration lit his face. "Good. You've learned to leave yourself a way out. Still, we're family. It's awkward either way-me giving, you taking. After all, your splendor hangs on my health." Remy waved his hands. "No, no. If you give, I take. If you don't give, I ask. And hey-you just called me an outsider. Don't tell me you already forgot." Ellie's face frosted over, and the others bristled. This guy was shameless. Remy ignored them and named a king's ransom. "Start me off with a hundred grand to splash around." Ford sighed. "Fine. I'll have someone wire it to your card later." Remy beamed. "Much obliged. Thanks a million." Ellie and the others withdrew behind the wall. Nina was called to the bedside. "Nina, your most important task now is to give Remy a child," Ford said gravely. Color rose in Nina's cheeks. "Grandpa, what are you talking about? We…" Ford raised a hand and looked toward Remy by the window. "He's a bit of a scoundrel, but he's worth trusting. Don't let him slip away." Remy had just turned to protest when his phone buzzed. [Your VIP card ending 6266 received $100,000.00. Balance: $188,988.80.] Remy grinned. He couldn't wipe the grin off his face-harder to control than an AK's recoil. Ford's condition wasn't dire, but it wasn't trivial, either. Remy simply hadn't mastered the Featherstorm Needles from the Thirteen Needles of Death, and didn't dare try them just yet. Next time, once he treated the old man, he'd make a killing. The thought made him chuckle. Behind the wall, Ellie and her team fumed. Shameless. Nina saw it differently. She thought Remy had egged Ford on. "Girl," Ford said softly, "the Looske waters run too deep for you to navigate."