Chapter 1183

Toby woke up early Laurier Residence, intending to go treat the antique shop owner's mother. When Tilly saw him heading out, she insisted on going with him. Loid had initially planned to arrange bodyguards for them, but Toby refused. They didn't like being followed. Loid agreed but still had someone discreetly follow them to ensure the two children's safety. Toby and Tilly had the driver take them to the owner's home. When they left that day, they had asked the shop owner to leave an address. Upon arriving, they found the shop owner speaking with someone. As they got closer, they could hear the conversation. The shop owner said, "Dr. Sandoval, please show some mercy. Treat my mother first. I only have one million dollars on hand right now, but I'm working on gathering the rest. My mother's condition can't wait. I'll pay you the balance as soon as I can." The shop owner's tone was full of pleading. The young man before them was Manfred Sandoval, a medical graduate from the University of Bridgeport. He was highly skilled in acupuncture and had even won awards in the country. Manfred was a sought-after doctor, frequently invited by various hospitals for consultations. His reputation was widespread, earning him the title of a "miracle doctor". In fact, in recent years, many doctors had been labeled "miracle doctors". They were all known for their impressive medical skills. This trend was largely influenced by the rise of Shadowbane a few years ago. Her compassion had led her to offer free medical consultations and mentor medical students, many of whom became highly skilled practitioners. During those years, many doctors focused solely on their patients' well-being. This was because Shadowbane had once said that a doctor's true duty was to treat and save lives, not to profit from them. If high consultation fees were to be charged, they should depend on the patient's character and family background. If the patient came from a wealthy family but had poor character, charging higher fees was acceptable. Shadowbane was highly respected in the medical world, and her authority commanded fear. No one dared to defy her. However, Shadowbane died five years ago. She sacrificed herself to save the people of Clusia, driving away the terrifying creatures that came from hell. After her death, the medical world descended into chaos. Doctors no longer adhered to her words and began charging outrageous consultation fees. If a family of modest means encountered a rare or serious illness, the treatment would cost at least one million dollars. If they couldn't afford it, they would have to sell everything they owned to raise the money or the doctors simply wouldn't treat them. For middle-class families, the consultation fee started at ten million dollars. As for wealthy families, the cost was even higher—starting at a minimum of a hundred million dollars. People were furious but too afraid to speak up. No one dared file complaints. After all, these doctors held power over their life and death. Anyone who dared to protest would find themselves refused treatment, no matter their wealth. They'd be left to wait for death. The antique shop owner had sought out numerous people to help with his mother's illness before finally contacting Manfred. However, after learning that the shop owner ran an antique shop, Manfred demanded a three-million-dollar consultation fee. With no other option, the shop owner considered selling the piece of emerald he owned. But even if he sold the emerald, it would only cover one million dollars, which was still far from enough. "One million dollars? Do you take me for a beggar?" Manfred said coldly. "Your mother has a life-threatening condition. It'll require a great deal of my energy to treat her." Manfred continued, "Shadowbane once said—saving the living costs half, saving the dying costs everything. I'm only asking for half of your assets because your devotion to your mother moves me. But you're offering me just one million dollars. Do you think I'm not worth more?" "Not at all! Not at all!" the shop owner quickly explained. "I just can't come up with that much cash all at once. What I meant was, I'll pay you one million dollars now, and I'll raise the rest as soon as I can, Dr. Sandoval. My mother's condition can't wait. Please, have mercy and treat her."