Chapter 486 The Harvey Family Consultation Fee
Brooke remained prostrate before James, his forehead pressed to the floor.
The scene rendered everyone speechless. Minds reeled in collective shock as they struggled to process what they were witnessing.
This was Brooke—captain of the Apollo Team, elite physician to world leaders, the man countless medical professionals idolized. Yet here he knelt, without hesitation or dignity, at James's feet.
Even Acacia looked momentarily startled before her expression shifted to one of newfound appreciation.
"Mr. Brooke, you must be mistaking him for someone else," Edith called out desperately.
"This is just James—an ordinary doctor with no credentials. He never studied under Bryan or Doctor Knoll, never trained at the International Medical Academy."
She stepped forward, attempting to help him up. "Why are you calling him Mr. Williams? Please, you've obviously confused him with someone else!"
"Get lost!" Brooke shoved her away with unexpected ferocity. "James is my mentor—my only mentor."
His voice swelled with pride and reverence. "My mentor never needed any medical academy because their teachings were beneath him. His skills are already unmatched in this world."
"He didn't study under Bryan, Knoll, or Powell because they—like me—all address James as their teacher."
Brooke's eyes shone with devotion. "Everything I've accomplished is entirely due to Mr. Williams's guidance. Without him, I would never have become the physician I am today."
Each revelation landed like a bombshell in the stunned room. Brooke trained by James? The three medical kings were James's students? The cognitive dissonance was overwhelming.
Edith's mind buzzed with white noise. Both Brooke and the Celestia king—the very figures she most revered—were James's students?
The realization crushed her. She had pulled countless strings to secure her position at the Apollo Team, studying tirelessly just to become a peripheral member.
When she received her certificate, she'd been so elated she couldn't sleep, frequently dropping her Apollo Team connection to impress others.
And just moments ago, she had flaunted her supposed superiority to James.
The truth hit Edith like a physical blow: the people she worshipped were merely among James's many students.
Yet she had consistently looked down on him, considering him a nobody with no background.
Her cheeks burned with shame as she stammered, "Mr. Brooke, I'm sorry. I was only concerned about the patient."
"My mentor has treated her—Riley is absolutely fine," Brooke replied coldly. "By asking me to examine her, aren't you insulting me? Furthermore, insulting my mentor is insulting me."
His voice hardened. "As of now, you're removed from my team. The Apollo Team has no place for arrogant members who can't back up their attitude with skill."
Edith turned away, face flushed with humiliation, but not before casting one last resentful glance at James.
Acacia watched her retreat with a knowing smile. If Edith didn't adjust her attitude, she would only continue to suffer.
"Enough, Brooke. Don't be so harsh," James said, helping him up. "What brings you back?"
"When I heard about Riley's injury, I left the queen and rushed here immediately," Brooke explained, eyes bright with excitement.
"Had I known you would be treating her, I wouldn't have hurried back so urgently—though seeing you again makes any loss worthwhile."
He beamed. "Mr. Williams, let me treat you to dinner tonight. We'll drink until dawn!"
"Another time perhaps," James replied, patting Brooke's shoulder. "I have other matters to attend to."
"Your timing is perfect, though—while Riley has regained consciousness, she still needs careful nursing. Why don't you and your team stay for a few days until her condition completely stabilizes?"
"I'll personally oversee her care," Brooke promised with utmost respect.
James nodded and proceeded to the main hall where he wrote out a prescription for Acacia.
"Please have these medications prepared and give them to Brooke—he'll know how to administer them," he instructed.
"Also, Riley shouldn't practice martial arts for at least three months to avoid complications."
"Thank you, Mr. Williams," Acacia replied gratefully.
James smiled. "Well, Riley's stable now. I should be going."
"Wait, Mr. Williams, you haven't eaten yet!" Acacia caught his arm. "Please stay for a meal."
Now that Riley's crisis had passed, she realized James hadn't even had water since arriving.
Ron slapped his forehead. "Yes! Mr. Williams, please eat before you go."
"No need," James waved dismissively. "My parents are in Sovereign City, and I don't want to keep them waiting."
"Where are you headed?" Acacia asked. "Let Ron drive you there at least."
"White Cloud Residence Number Three," James replied.
Acacia's eyes lit with recognition. "That's the Garcia family estate. Your parents are from the Garcia family?"
"My mother is," James confirmed. "We've been estranged for over twenty years. This visit is partly to reconnect and partly to attend the thirtieth anniversary celebration of their black tea."
"Wait a moment." Acacia disappeared into her study, returning shortly with a small bag.
"I've been wondering how to properly thank you for saving Riley," she said thoughtfully. "Money, houses, cars—too mundane, and you likely don't need them. So I'd like you to accept this instead."
James hesitated. "Mrs. Harvey, if it's valuable, I can't accept it. Riley has helped me before, after all."
Mentally, he added, 'If I took payment for treating Riley, she might come after me with a knife!'
"Just a small token," Acacia insisted with a serene smile. "It holds significance for you and your parents."
James opened the bag and pulled out a stack of documents. After scanning them, he gasped: "Grandma's Black Tea share transfer agreements?"
"That's right," Acacia nodded. "Grandma's Black Tea has been developing for over thirty years, with multiple financing rounds. I thought the tea showed promise, so I've gradually acquired shares."
She explained further, "The holdings are distributed across different companies and individuals. I have limited voting power and don't bother with management—I simply collect dividends."
"But consolidated, they amount to approximately forty percent—making the holder the largest shareholder, with ten percent more than the Garcia family currently holds."
Her gaze met his sincerely. "In other words, these shares could determine the fate of Grandma's Black Tea. Since you have ties to the Garcia family, I'm giving them to you—both as payment and as a gift."
James understood what remained unsaid: this transfer removed a potential deadly threat to the Garcia family. On a whim, Acacia could have destroyed them with a single gesture.
After a moment's consideration, James accepted the documents with genuine appreciation. "Mrs. Harvey, your generosity is too great to refuse."
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