It currently remained safely in Noah's possession.
Yet, certain factions within the Darwin family were itching to reclaim it.
With the General fiercely protecting him, those vultures could not lay a finger on him.
But the moment the General passed away, they would undoubtedly scheme to rip the heirloom from his hands.
There was also his mother's legacy. She came from an affluent background and had only married his father through an arrangement facilitated by the military.
The Darwin family was audaciously coveting the assets his late mother had left behind as well.
Noah could not even find the words to describe their sheer, unadulterated shamelessness.
"You kid..." Dr. Sterling sighed, struggling to find the right comforting words.
It was entirely possible that Noah harbored a burning hatred for the Darwin family.
Even if General Darwin had funded his upbringing.
Even if the General, upon discovering his estranged grandson, had pulled strings to secure Noah's father a stable footing in the military.
What did any of that matter?
What rightfully belonged to them had been tossed their way like a patronizing handout.
Was he supposed to weep with gratitude?
"Your great-grandfather wants to hold on a little longer, at least until you get accepted into a university," Dr. Sterling explained softly.
General Darwin had meticulously paved Noah's future path.
By getting him into the National Defense University and enlisting him in the military, the Darwin family would never dare cross him.
In fact, they would eventually have to rely on Noah for their own survival.
"I will get into college," Noah stated firmly. He wanted an education, but he had zero intention of serving as a protective umbrella for those parasites.
Once the General passed, he planned to permanently sever all ties with the Darwin family.
He was only taking what was rightfully his.
Why should he be burdened with the extra task of babysitting them?
"Dr. Sterling, do you think this doctor can treat his old injuries?" Noah asked, quickly pivoting the conversation to Claire.
Sensing the boy's reluctance to dwell on the family drama, Dr. Sterling did not push the issue.
He formally introduced Claire. "She is a top student at The Cabinda University and the final disciple of a legendary master in traditional medicine."
"Her acupuncture techniques can complement my treatments to manage your great- grandfather's pain."
"We could even call in Dr. Quentin Quincy and Tandy to perform a craniotomy on him."
"Once the shrapnel is finally removed, he shouldn't have to suffer like this anymore."
As a physician, his ultimate goal was to see his patient make a full recovery.
Not just desperately keep him clinging to life by a thread, like he was doing now.
"Is his body even strong enough to survive a surgery like that?" Noah was highly skeptical.
The emaciated old man lying in the hospital bed shared that same doubt.
Claire was currently applying needles along his scalp.
As the dense array of needles settled into his skin, the General could vividly feel the excruciating. pain receding.
In the past, only Solomon Sterling could achieve such an effect, but now there was someone else.
And she was just a young woman, at that.
It was absolutely incredible.
"General Darwin, if you are feeling a bit of relief, just blink," Claire instructed softly.
She was
not using her signature
Golden Needles, but rather a set of ilver ones provided by Derling..
The effect was slightly diminished, but it was more than sufficient.
The General blinked his eyes.
He genuinely felt lighter.
Even the sheen of cold sweat on his forehead had noticeably receded.
Finishing her acupuncture sequence, Claire gently wiped the sweat from his brow.
Seeing this, Noah immediately stepped forward. "Dr. Claire, let me do that."
Claire did not argue. She smoothly stepped aside, allowing the young man to fulfill his familial duties.
It was obvious the teenager was used to this kind of caregiving
practiced.
movements were able
Claire watched his meticulous care with a sense of quiet approval.
"In your professional opinion, is a surgery viable?" Dr. Sterling inquired.
He had heard from Hale that this brilliant girl was equally versed in Western medicine.
The reason she called him 'Professor' instead of 'Master' was because he was not her primary mentor.
"It is possible. Why wouldn't it be? But..." Claire trailed off, leaving the thought hanging.