Facing the dissenting voice and the surrounding gangsters, Rylie showed no fear, her gaze fixed on the medical advisor. “There’s only one chance.”

The advisor still wasn’t convinced. He opened his mouth to argue, but Lochlan raised his hand. That gesture alone silenced the room.

“You’ve seen my records. My condition is fragile. One wrong move, and it could all collapse. I can’t be put under.”

If anyone dared to use anesthesia, his body wouldn’t survive it. His system was already too compromised.

“I’m aware,” Rylie said without flinching. She pulled open her kit, revealing a small glass bottle filled with dark-colored capsules. “These were crafted from rare herbs and Snow Mint. I call them Rejuvon.”

She held out the bottle. “There are three pills. Start today. Take one a day. By day three, you’ll be ready for surgery.”

The advisor stepped in quietly, leaning close to Lochlan’s ear. “This isn’t approved by any company. It’s experimental. The danger’s still real. You might want to wait for your son before you make the call.”

Lochlan didn’t answer right away. When he did, he turned to Rylie. “Would you consider staying a little longer? I can make sure you’re well taken care of. Just rest here for a few days. My godson’s coming back. I don’t want to miss my last chance to see him.”

Rylie kept her answer firm. “I follow my own rules.” She rose to her feet. “You’ve got three days. What you do with them is up to you.”

Understanding that she needed rest, Lochlan called for someone to escort her to a room. As soon as she left, the medical staff entered through a side door. All eyes turned toward the Rejuvon bottle. It was passed around with care until one of them received the nod to open it.

The moment the seal broke, a cool, minty fragrance filled the room. The scent was sharp but strangely energizing. A gentle breeze seemed to pass through the space. Their thoughts sharpened instantly.

“Is this… a drug?” one of them muttered. “Something about this smell feels off.”

“She said it had Snow Mint in it. What even is that?”

The advisor stepped forward. “I’ve seen that plant before. I was researching with my mentor deep in the mountains when I stumbled across it. Barely made it back. The mint itself isn’t poisonous, but it grows beside some of the deadliest plants in the region. If it’s handled properly, it can be healing. But growing it safely is nearly impossible. It survives only by being close to those toxic neighbors.”

“So using it comes with a death risk?” someone asked.

The group broke into a low debate. A few leaned toward trying it, while others warned against it. No one reached a clear decision.

At last, Lorenfu stepped forward and said, “Get Deandre on the line. He should be the one to choose.”

The moment Rylie entered the bedroom, exhaustion took over. She slept through the morning and only woke when the afternoon sunlight spilled across the floor. After splashing water on her face, she typed out a tutorial, answered Melany’s pending messages, and made her way toward the dining area.

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