Chapter 355 The Price of Romance
"Mr. Hayes, thanks a lot." Ingrid led a group of people to thank Clifford.
"Gerald, I told you, the Mr. Hayes I invited is an expert in removing curses. Marcella will definitely be fine this time." She boasted to Gerald, "And I believe Mr. Hayes can completely get rid of the evil spirit."
Several beautiful women also looked at Clifford with fervent admiration. They loved men who were capable, charming, and mysterious.
"Mr. Hayes, thank you." Gerald also smiled and shook Clifford's hand in gratitude.
He hadn't held out much hope. Many doctors and mystics had come and gone without success, but Clifford had easily calmed Marcella.
In the past, when Marcella had an episode, it would last for hours, and even sedatives wouldn't work.
He dismissed the idea of having James take a look, as Ingrid had said, James was skilled in medicine but not necessarily in sorcery.
With Gerald's approval, Clifford laughed heartily and shook Gerald's hand vigorously.
"Mr. Rivera, you're too kind. It was nothing."
"I started learning alchemy from my master when I was three and began my journey at thirteen."
"Decades have passed. I wouldn't say I'm invincible in Celestia, but in the entire South, if I claim to be second, no one would dare claim to be first."
"Mrs. Rivera's illness is simply due to being in a damp place, absorbing negative energy, leading to mental disorder."
"In short, too many trees, too much water."
Clifford gestured grandly towards the Rivera Estate.
"I see." Gerald suddenly understood and then asked, "Mr. Hayes, can Marcella's illness be cured?"
"Of course." Clifford gave a confident smile.
"After I rest and regain my strength, I'll use lightning magic to strike Mrs. Rivera three times and then give her an exorcism pill. She'll be fine."
Clifford stroked his beard gently.
"Don't worry, Mr. Rivera. By sunset, you'll see a lively Mrs. Rivera."
"Thank you. As long as you can restore Marcella to normal, I'll pay any price."
Gerald promised Clifford. Now that his own poison had been neutralized, if Marcella returned to normal, their married life would become romantic and sweet again.
"Gerald, don't worry. Mr. Hayes will do his best." Ingrid laughed charmingly. "Let's let him rest for a bit. He just arrived from out of town and must be tired."
At this moment, Kaida hesitated and said, "Mr. Rivera, should we let Mr. Williams take a look too?"
Ingrid's eyebrows shot up. "Are you kidding? Marcella is cursed. Can a doctor handle that?"
"Besides, Marcella is finally calm. If you mess up Mr. Hayes' efforts, who will take responsibility?"
"Kaida, stop causing trouble and take your doctor away!" Her face turned cold. "Marcella's illness is none of your concern."
Kaida ignored her, her eyes fixed on Gerald. "Mr. Rivera, Mr. Williams is already here. It won't take long."
"What does a young kid know?" Clifford also looked at James with disdain. Kaida's actions annoyed him, implying he was less capable than a doctor.
"I'll be blunt. I can solve Mrs. Rivera's illness. If Mr. Rivera lets someone else take a look, it's a sign of distrust, and I'll pack up and leave immediately."
"But if anything happens to Mrs. Rivera, don't blame me for not warning you."
This was a forced choice. Gerald tried to persuade Clifford, but it was useless.
Clifford insisted he make a decision. He had to choose between Clifford and James. It was a matter of respect.
"Mr. Williams, Marcella's condition is different from a typical illness."
Gerald hesitated. He knew James was skilled in medicine, but in matters of sorcery, Mr. Hayes was more capable.
He felt Clifford was more reliable. "Let's leave it to Mr. Hayes."
"Did you hear that?" Ingrid sneered. "Alchemy isn't something you can just dabble in if you don't understand it."
"Mrs. Rivera isn't just invaded by evil energy. Her soul is harmed, and her body is controlled by an evil spirit," James spoke up, his voice firm. "Her current calmness isn't due to Mr. Hayes' skill but because of the temporary suppression by holy water."
"When the evil spirit adapts, she'll relapse. Her face will turn dark, blood will flow from her orifices, and she'll become extremely strong and violent. Anyone who gets close will be in danger."
"This relapse could happen after sunset. When the sun sets, the yin energy increases, and the evil spirit becomes bolder."
James checked the time. "If we don't act now, it will be troublesome after sunset."
"Kid, stop talking nonsense. Mrs. Rivera is asleep because of me, not some holy water suppression," Clifford was furious. "I tell you, even after sunset, Mrs. Rivera will be fine. As long as I use lightning magic and give her an exorcism pill, she'll be cured."
He lifted an angry finger at James. "If you don't understand, get out and don't tarnish my profession."
"Enough, James. Stop being self-righteous," Ingrid looked at James with disdain. "Do you think I don't know you're trying to scare Gerald to gain his favor?"
Several beautiful women also glared at James, thinking he was trying to attract attention.
"Mr. Rivera, I've said what I needed to say. The decision is yours." James looked at Gerald. "But I must tell you, one choice leads to heaven, the other to hell."
"How dare you! Heaven and hell? Who are you cursing?" Before Gerald could speak, Ingrid snarled, "Get out!"
"Mr. Williams, your words are too harsh," Gerald's face fell. Marcella's condition had improved, but James made it sound dire.
James sighed. "Mr. Rivera, I'm telling the truth. If not treated before sunset, there will be deaths after sunset."
"Get out. With Mr. Hayes here, Marcella won't relapse. Even if something goes wrong, Mr. Hayes can handle it," Ingrid boasted. "He is an expert. You can't compare to him."
"You get out," Kaida's face turned cold. "Mr. Hayes is narrow-minded, forcing Mr. Williams to leave. How can he be a true expert?"
"Shut up! How dare you speak about Mr. Hayes like that?" Gerald's face hardened as he pointed at Kaida. "Get out and stop disturbing Marcella's sleep."
He wasn't just scolding Kaida; he was clearly scolding James.
Although Gerald had a good impression of James and acknowledged his medical skills, it didn't mean James could curse his wife.
Besides, he felt that James was being arrogant.
"Mr. Rivera, it's fine if you don't believe me. Just protect Mrs. Rivera and minimize casualties. Also, the reason Mrs. Rivera and you are both severely ill is because you're paying for your past romantic endeavors," James' words turned sharp.
He continued, "The grand project of planting sycamore trees and filling the pond with koi must have disturbed many ancestral graves."
Gerald's face changed dramatically.
"Goodbye!" James didn't say more and left the Rivera family. As he walked out, he glanced at the sky and shook his head.
Kaida chased after him to apologize. "Mr. Williams, I'm sorry. Mr. Rivera is too worried to think clearly."
"It's not your fault," James hesitated, then drew a protective charm for her. "Take this. If something happens, throw it out. It can save your life."
Then, James left the Rivera Estate.
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