Chapter 67: Subduing Byron
"Get out!"
Byron lay on the bed, his eyes hollow and lifeless, looking strung out. His cheeks were so sunken they distorted his face.
Hearing the commotion, he glanced at the newcomer with a dark look in his eyes.
Even Bianca, standing there, couldn't spark any interest in him. He was so agitated that his words came out harsh and irritable.
The pain was coming back. He wanted to die.
After yelling, his gaze shifted, and he caught sight of someone out of the corner of his eye. He looked again in disbelief.
Emily gave him a calm look.
Their eyes met.
Byron nearly burst into tears.
"You, you, you..."
He struggled to get up and crawl toward Emily.
But he was so weak from the illness that he couldn't even manage that.
To Eli and Bianca, it looked like Byron was still harboring resentment toward Emily, which explained his agitation.
Bianca suppressed a smile and pretended to be concerned, stepping forward to help Byron. "Byron, don't get worked up. Emily is here to apologize. Please, for the sake of our families' long-standing relationship, forgive her for her mistake."
"Ap-apologize? Dad, Dad..."
Byron was on the verge of tears, trying to push Bianca away.
It was because of her that he had targeted Emily.
He couldn't get close to her; otherwise, he didn't know how he might die.
But he was so exhausted from lack of sleep that his brain was foggy. The more he tried to express himself, the more his agitation made it difficult to speak.
"Don't worry, I understand!" Isaac knew why Byron was so agitated.
For days, Byron had spent most of his time in pain, unable to eat or rest. Every doctor they consulted said there was nothing wrong with him.
But he was still in agony.
At first, Isaac thought Byron was faking it, but as time passed and Byron's voice grew hoarse from screaming, and he couldn't eat, spending every day writhing in pain, Isaac finally believed him.
Bianca noticed something was off with Byron. She thought if she could use her medical skills to help him, he would become her most loyal follower.
"Mr. Reyes, what's wrong with Byron? I know a bit about medicine. Let me take a look," Bianca said confidently.
Eli's eyes flashed with understanding, immediately grasping Bianca's intent.
He suggested to Isaac, "Why not let Bianca take a look? She's a double major, excelling in both the arts and medicine. She's also a top student at the medical school and is about to compete in a medical competition."
Mentioning Bianca's credentials, Eli raised his head proudly.
Isaac also realized that the Johnson family probably didn't know Emily had medical skills, and quite impressive ones at that.
Isaac looked at Byron. "Do you want Bianca to take a look at you?"
Byron, agitated, said, "No, no, no, I don't want her!"
"Okay, okay, calm down."
Isaac shook his head at Eli. "You see?"
Bianca was slightly disappointed and felt a bit embarrassed by Byron's outburst.
But if he treated her like this, he would likely treat Emily even worse.
"Emily, hurry up and apologize to Byron. Calm him down. Look at what your actions have done to him. Don't you feel any remorse?"
Bianca pulled Emily forward, urging her.
Emily shook off Bianca's hand, brushing off her arm as if it were dirty.
Emily then spoke to Byron. "I don't like apologizing in front of so many people. Bianca and Eli should leave. Do you mind?"
Byron, having heard from Isaac that Emily had agreed to treat him, immediately understood her intent.
He nodded eagerly. "No, I don't mind at all!"
"Dad, get them out. Out!" Byron turned urgently to Isaac.
"Eli, Bianca, please."
Isaac didn't give them a chance to argue, already ushering them out.
The room was left with just Emily and Byron.
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Byron suddenly found some strength.
He rolled off the bed and knelt in front of Emily, grabbing her legs and sobbing. "I know I was wrong. Please, cure me. I made a mistake. I'll never do it again."
Byron, once so arrogant, now groveled like a beaten dog.
"Let go, you're filthy."
Emily lightly kicked him, and he rolled away.
Not getting a definite answer, he didn't dare get up and crawled back to kneel again.
This time, he didn't dare touch Emily's legs, afraid of angering her.
"Alright, get up. I'll treat you now."
Emily didn't make things difficult for Byron. She had already proven she could make him suffer without a solution once and could do it again.
So, even if she cured him, she wasn't worried about him not obeying.
Byron was so relieved he almost fainted. He looked at Emily with hopeful eyes.
Emily took out some silver needles and swiftly inserted them into several points on Byron's body with precision.
Byron didn't dare move.
Her skill with the needles was so impressive that he imagined her as a true medical expert. He felt nothing but reverence for her now.
The effect was immediate.
He felt a warm sensation spread through his body.
Byron closed his eyes in comfort.
Emily couldn't bear to look.
This guy really wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. He wasn't even worried about her doing something to him.
Ten minutes later, Emily withdrew the needles.
"Done."
Emily spoke calmly.
Byron's eyes widened as he moved his body. Though still weak, he felt much stronger than before.
He looked at Emily, tears welling up again.
"Stop!" Emily glared at Byron. "I can't stand crying. If you were a girl, I might be sympathetic. But you're a man, and I'll just want to kick you."
Byron, ready to cry, paused.
He knelt sincerely before Emily. "Ms. Johnson, from now on, you're my leader. I didn't recognize your greatness before. I'll do whatever you ask without question."
"Good, learn from your mistakes. Get up. I hope you mean what you say. Your first task is to stop using your status to bully others. Apologize and compensate those you've wronged."
Since Emily was considering taking Byron as a follower, she needed to train him properly.
"Yes, Ms. Johnson. I'll start tomorrow."
"No rush. Rest for a few days first." Emily seemed to remember something and took out a small box, tossing it to Byron.
"Consider it a welcome gift for becoming my follower. It's for your recovery."
"Thank you, Ms. Johnson!" Byron was deeply moved.
Even without opening the box, the medicinal aroma made him feel rejuvenated.
He wished he could go back and punch his past self for daring to provoke someone so powerful.
He carefully put the box away and, with a fawning smile, said, "Ms. Johnson, since I'm your follower now, how about I take you somewhere fun?"
Emily raised an eyebrow. "Fun? Like what?"