Chapter 235: The Old Master Walks Again

"Don't stand on ceremony with this old man, girl." Mr. Kingsley leaned against the headboard, his eyes bright as he patted the edge of the bed. "I may have been lying here for ages, but my mind's sharp as ever. When those quacks had me drooling and cross-eyed with their needles, I swore if I ever woke up, I'd give them a good slap!"

Elena Ward pressed her lips together in a faint smile, her fingers lightly tracing the embroidery of her needle case.

"If it weren't for your quick thinking, I might never have opened my eyes again," the old man continued before suddenly turning stern toward Gregory Kingsley and the others. "Mark my words—Dr. Ward is The Kingsley family's benefactor! From now on, if she ever needs help—as long as it's legal and honorable—you'd better move heaven and earth for her!"

Elena's heart skipped a beat. The old man was laying it on thick—she’d only wanted to secure The Kingsley family’s favor.

"You flatter me," she said softly. "Since your condition has improved, I should return. The hospital is expecting me."

Gregory Kingsley quickly interjected, "Dr. Ward, why not stay until tomorrow? I’ll arrange a car for you." His eyes darted nervously—clearly, he still feared a relapse.

Elena understood. If she didn’t prove her skills today, she wouldn’t be leaving.

"Then I’ll perform another round of acupuncture," she said, drawing a silver needle that gleamed coldly under the light. "It won’t cure you completely, but it’ll speed up your recovery."

The specialists in the room stiffened. Director Carter was the first to bristle. "President Kingsley, the old master has organ failure. What good will acupuncture do?"

Dean Hayes added with a sneer, "Oh, Director Carter, maybe the young lady has real talent."

Director Carter’s mustache quivered in outrage. "The old master can’t even get out of bed! Without weeks of treatment, there’s no chance of improvement!" He glared at Elena. "Girl, if you’re trying to climb the ladder by stepping on experts, you’d better know your place!"

Elena blinked. What had she done? She’d only offered to administer acupuncture.

"Dr. Ward, what do you think...?" President Kingsley looked at her uncertainly.

Unfazed, Elena twirled the needle between her fingers. "Director Carter is right—the old master does need long-term care. This session is just supplementary, stimulating his immune system to accelerate recovery by fifty percent." She paused. "At the very least, he’ll be able to take a few steps today."

"Preposterous!" Director Carter slammed the table. "No matter how miraculous traditional medicine is, one needle won’t make an organ failure patient walk!"

Elena said nothing, only gently inserting the needle into a point on the old man’s wrist. The moment it pierced his skin, he let out a surprised "Huh?"

"This needle... it feels warm?"

Elena smiled faintly and flicked the needle’s tip. To everyone’s shock, it began vibrating with a faint hum.

Every pair of eyes in the room widened. What kind of technique was this?

After three needles, the old man’s complexion visibly brightened. By the time Elena withdrew them, he was already pushing himself upright on the bed.

"Father!" Gregory Kingsley gasped.

But the real astonishment came when the old man wobbled to his feet—and took a step forward.

"I... I can walk?" Even he couldn’t believe it.

Director Carter’s face turned ashen, his lips trembling soundlessly.

Elena leisurely packed away her needles and flashed him a sweet smile. "Well, old expert? Convinced now?"