The next day.
Laurel meticulously scanned around her medical box, double-checking if everything was complete. Today was the chance she had to gain more money from Chris.
Not long after, a knock came from the other side of the door.
"Come in." Laurel mindlessly said without turning around to see who it was.
"Mrs. Wayne." Chris's calm voice echoed behind her.
She glanced over her shoulder before turning to face him. "Mr. Lennox." A polite smile graced her lips.
Chris scanned the room, it appeared to be a guest room. His eyes locked on the traditional Chinese medical equipment on the table, and a small frown appeared between his brows.
But he decided not to say a word, after all he was very curious to see what she was going to do. His gaze flicked back to Laurel, lingering a moment more than it should.
"Mr. Lennox, have a seat." She tapped on the bed. "And relax your back on the bed frame."
Like an obedient child, Chris sat on the bed, then he removed his shoes, and relaxed his back on the bed.
"Take off your shirt." She ordered, her eyes following his movement.
Chris creased his brows slightly, but still reluctantly began to remove his upper clothes. His pale chest was smooth, and his stomach was flat with no abs.
Laurel stood a few steps away. She rolled her sleeves up to her elbow, wearing a serious expression.
She approached him. "Relax your shoulders," she said calmly.
Chris did as she said, though his brows remained slightly furrowed. "I've had many doctors examine me," he said. "And they usually start with machines or medical equipment."
"I'm different." She replied as she reached for his wrist. Her fingers rested lightly against his pulse, her gaze focused as she read his pulse.
Chris watched her quietly, he wondered if she really was a scam, after all no professional doctors do this anymore when there are accurate medical devices out there.
He parted his lips to speak, "I.."
"You've been having trouble sleeping at night," Laurel said before he could speak. "Your heart is beating slower compared to normal, and your body doesn't have enough blood for circulation." Laurel paused.
"This explains the numbness in your hands, the pain in your chest, and difficulty breathing. It worsened at night because when you sleep the heart needs to be able to pump enough blood, but it doesn't."
She opened the medical box and brought out silver needles wrapped in their cases. She took one needle out and carefully inserted it into his hand.
"So you feel tremendous pain at night," she continued. "And that might be a good thing as your heart could collapse if you are in a deep sleep."
Chris's face remained blank as he stared at her. 'It seemed like she knows what she's doing.'
"Why acupuncture?" He asked.
"Because I want to make a human version of a hedgehog." Laurel's lips curved into a smile.
Chris's lips pulled up into a smile without him realising it.
Laurel placed the next needles along his forearms, near his chest, and a few other places.
"The needles will help regulate the blood in your body for better circulation."
As minutes passed, Chris felt a strange sensation spreading through his body. The tightness in his chest eased little by little, as if something heavy was being lifted. His breathing became deeper and easier without him realizing it.
Laurel moved to the side of the table and poured a dark liquid into a small bowl. The aroma was slightly bitter and calming.
"Drink this," She instructed. "It will help strengthen your heart, and remove any toxic waste in your bloodstream."
Chris took the cup, hesitating for only a second before drinking. The moment the medicine touched his tongue, his face tightened slightly, but he immediately gulped everything down his throat.
"Here." Laurel handed him a caramel sweet.
Chris hesitated for a second, but collected it from her.
"You didn't even ask what the liquid was?" Laurel asked, a little amused.
"I'm already a dying man, what more can you do? Poison me?" Chris sighed as if that didn't faze him.
"Have some rest," Laurel said, changing the conversation.
"I feel sleepy," Chris muttered as his eyes fluttered closed. He tried everything to stay awake but he failed miserably at it.
"By the time you wake up, you'll be a little better." She muttered as she removed the needles from his body.
…
Meanwhile in another part of the Wayne mansion.
Alexander paced to and fro in his room, holding a pack of ice against the right side of his face.
His Secretary, Raphael stood close to the wall with an expression that showed how badly he wanted to leave the room. His eyes followed Alexander's movement, back and forth like a broken tape.
Unable to bear it, Raphael stepped forward. "Boss, if you are still angry about the incident yesterday…"
Alexander shot him a warning glare. That was a sour spot he never wanted to speak about.
However, it seemed Raphael had nine lives as he ignored his warning. "…which you should. It had already been 15 hours, eight minutes, and twenty-five seconds since the incident. Your wife is in this house. Go speak with her instead of pacing back and forth, my eyes are hurting already, and my neck has broken and rearranged itself a couple of times already." Raphael gasped for air as he finished his words.
Alexander paused as if he were in deep thought. "I'm avoiding her because I don't want to lash out at her. Although she is very manipulative, she is my wife after all."
"So do you want to take a look at the documents? They need your signature." Raphael said, nodding his head, obviously ignoring his words. Because if the documents get signed it means he could go back home and have a wonderful rest with his newly wedded wife.
"Raphael," Alexander called coldly, his good eye narrowing dangerously at him. "My eyes hurt, I can't work."
"But one is working just fine." Raphael almost cried.
"It hurts," Alexander said shamelessly.
Ever since he got punched, he had become more intrigued by Laurel. He developed the sudden urge to explore her, to her she was like fire and ice, and he wanted to know her better.
"Follow me, we are going to meet my wife," Alexander said, walking towards the door still holding the ice pack against his face.
Raphael's shoulders slumped. It appeared he won't be having that alone time with his wife anytime soon. Right then he wished Mrs. Wayne had punched Alexander's both eyes, so he could have a short vacation.