Chapter 307 Let's Make a Bet
As soon as Ashley mentioned that Albert was in Sylvania, Martin reacted like someone had poked an old wound. He might not be as fierce as he used to be, but his long-standing authority was still there, and the fire in his eyes was enough to shut everyone up.
The little boy, seeing Martin's anger, carefully dragged over a chair that was way too big and heavy for him, then stood there quietly with his hands at his sides.
He clearly knew all about Martin's temper.
Martin slowly sat down, gripping his cane tightly. The veins on the back of his hand bulged like green snakes ready to burst through his skin.
Damian glanced at Ashley, relieved she wasn't too scared.
Ashley picked up the tea from the table and offered it with both hands, "Mr. Collins, please have some tea to soothe your throat."
Martin, with a stern face, didn't take the cup but asked in an even colder voice, "What is he doing in Sylvania?"
Ashley replied softly, "Mr. Sanchez has inherited your philosophy and opened a clinic, using his medical skills to treat people. He cured my relative; otherwise, they might not be alive today."
"Philosophy? Using our medical skills to curry favor with foreigners!" Martin said.
His tone was filled with endless regret, like he wished he could turn back time and never take Albert as a disciple.
Ashley understood that Martin was angry about his disciple moving overseas, which didn't seem like a big deal. "Mr. Collins, you're right. Such excellent medical skills shouldn't be spread abroad to treat them."
This seemed to calm him down a bit, and he finally responded, "He treated your relative? What illness?"
Ashley was relieved that Martin didn't dwell on the issue, "Due to some special circumstances, they developed severe mental illness, especially chronic insomnia, which almost drove them to collapse. Fortunately, Mr. Sanchez intervened and saved a life. So, compared to other doctors, I trust you and Mr. Sanchez more."
Damian's face remained cold.
Martin picked up the cup lid, brushed away the tea leaves, and took a sip. His expression softened considerably, his anger subsiding. "You don't need to flatter me; I'm not seeing patients today."
Damian frowned. Seeing Ashley's flattery, he felt very uncomfortable. Resisting the urge to pull her away, he was about to speak.
Ashley noticed Damian losing his temper and quickly said, "Mr. Collins lives here, and the scenery is so beautiful and refreshing. I've always wanted to visit Coastal City, and Foggy Mountain is even more spectacular and beautiful than in the travel brochures. It was worth the trip!"
Damian frowned, thinking Ashley was talking nonsense.
Martin's sharp eyes fixated on the mountain's silhouette framed by the doorway, as if something hidden among its peaks held his vacant gaze captive. "Foggy Mountain..."
That murmur contained a sense of nostalgia.
Ashley thought that Foggy Mountain must have a story related to Martin.
She didn't give up and continued to chat, "Mr. Collins, you must have climbed it many times when you were young, right? How's the view up there?"
Martin looked at her listlessly, "Why don't you see for yourself?"
His tone was harsh.
After speaking, he put down the teacup and told the little boy, "I'm tired, don't disturb me."
The little boy quickly went to serve him, accompanying him to the backyard residence.
As they left, the old house exuded a quiet, decaying smell.
Damian said coldly, "Since he doesn't want to see patients, there's no need to beg him."
Knowing Damian would react this way, Ashley, who never asked for anything, couldn't stand this cold reception.
"Since we're here, we can't leave empty-handed. The more he doesn't want to see us, the more I want him to. That's the sense of accomplishment," she said.
Damian sat on a wooden chair. The limited light in the room made his clothes look darker and his face paler, making his sneer even more pronounced. "Do you enjoy being belittled?"
In other words, he was implying that Ashley had a masochistic tendency.
Ashley got angry, "I told you before we came that Mr. Collins has a temper. It's a common trait of geniuses. Do you think you're any better? Look at yourself now; you're not much better than him."
Damian leisurely curled his lips, "Is that a compliment?"
Ashley kept a straight face, "Think whatever you want."
No need to think, he accepted it.
Moments later, the little boy came out, exuding a strong presence despite his small size, and said steadily, "Mr. Collins doesn't want to see patients. You should leave."
Ashley couldn't leave so easily; it had been so hard to get in. "Hey, how old are you?"
This was a clumsy but common way to start a conversation, usually asked instinctively when meeting a child.
The little boy replied, "Nine."
Ashley smiled with her eyes, "Do you know martial arts? You look very skilled."
After all, he was a child, and being praised made him a bit shy. "Mr. Collins says practicing martial arts strengthens the body."
So he did know.
Ashley's eyes sparkled, and she smiled as she pointed to Damian, "You know, this person has also learned martial arts and is very skilled. Do you want to spar with him?"
Damian was speechless.
The little boy looked at Damian's injured arm and said with a wrinkled face, "I don't bully the injured. Mr. Collins says martial arts are not for fighting, and we shouldn't bully the weak."
Oh my, weak? This was probably the worst insult Damian had ever received.
Ashley could barely hold back her laughter, "Don't be fooled by his injury. You might not be able to beat him. How about we make a bet?"
The little boy looked at the tall Damian again, "Bet on what? Mr. Collins said he wouldn't see patients, and I won't help you persuade him."
Ashley smiled innocently, "Has Mr. Collins ever told you stories about Foggy Mountain? Stories related to him, or have you ever gone up the mountain together?"
The little boy nodded, then warily said, "I won't tell you."
"That's fine, you don't have to tell me. Just beat him," Ashley said.
The provocation seemed to work on anyone, including children.
So, the little boy steadied his arms and legs, and said, "Please."
Damian frowned, helplessly saying, "Ashley, really?"
Ashley innocently rested her chin on her hands, watching the show, "Don't be so petty. Just consider it a friendly match with a kid."
She believed that Damian, who could kick down a wooden door, would definitely not lose to a nine-year-old.
But she didn't expect Damian to win so easily!
In just three moves, the little boy was pinned down by Damian's single hand, unable to move as if bound by ropes.
The little boy struggled several times but had to admit defeat, "I lost."
He was a bit unwilling but very forthright.
Damian released him gracefully, standing tall.
Ashley looked at him in amazement, thinking, 'So impressive!'
She thought Damian would use his strength to overpower the boy, but she didn't expect him to skillfully counter every move. His martial arts were no less impressive than those in movies. "You... know martial arts?"
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