The entire Chandler family's villa hall had fallen into chaos.
Old Master Oliver's collapse sent everyone into a panic. The remaining Chandler family members were all flustered and frightened. Even Lyra, who had been standing still in a daze, seemed completely stunned by what she'd just witnessed.
At this critical moment, when Oliver's life hung by a thread—
Caden Voss stepped forward, his face cold and solemn as he shouted, "Why are you all just standing around? He needs fresh air! You're crowding him—he can't even breathe! Do you want to kill him?!"
His shout jolted everyone. The flustered family members quickly backed away, instinctively clearing a path.
Caden stepped up, knelt beside Oliver, and checked his pulse. His brows furrowed and relaxed intermittently as he swiftly retrieved a set of silver needles from a case he carried with him. Without hesitation, he began inserting them into Oliver's forehead and chest with practiced ease.
As the needles trembled with his expert technique, beads of sweat formed on Caden's brow, soon streaming down in fine droplets. His face had grown noticeably pale.
The watching guests and Chandler family members murmured in hushed tones:
"Didn't Old Master Oliver call him a miracle doctor earlier?"
"He's definitely got some skill. Just look at how he's using those needles—this level of mastery takes decades to hone. But how old is this guy? Did he start learning acupuncture in the womb?"
"Shhh… Look! Oliver's moving—he's waking up!"
Someone suddenly shouted, drawing everyone's eyes toward Oliver.
There he was—his mouth still smeared with traces of blood—slowly regaining consciousness. His hand reached out and gripped Caden's arm as he weakly sighed, "Miracle doctor… if not for you today, I fear I'd already be dead."
His voice trembled with lingering fear.
How could he not be overwhelmed with emotion? Though he'd long had health issues, this was the first time he'd been enraged to the point of vomiting blood and losing consciousness!
Thankfully, Caden Voss had been present. If not, not only would the Chandler family's core members have been taken away, but even he, the family patriarch, might have lost his life.
And the Chandler family… would've fallen into ruin.
"A small matter, truly," Caden replied with a modest smile, gently reminding, "Although someone acted dishonorably today, your health isn't something that can withstand emotional shocks. If you're not careful, it'll trigger your old condition and lead to irreversible consequences. It's fortunate I was here today—an ambulance wouldn't have arrived in time."
"Thank you, Miracle Doctor…" Oliver gripped his hand firmly in gratitude.
Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But Lyra… Lyra's eyes burned with a deep, bitter resentment.
He lived?
He survived again?!
Why?
Why did Caden Voss have to save him?
Wouldn't it have been better if he'd just died? That vile old man—his death would've been a blessing!
Caden Voss, who had remained composed all this time, finally felt a ripple in his calm.
It was as if Veil had given her hope—a glimpse of long-awaited revenge—but before she could fully embrace it, Caden had barged in and shattered everything into pieces.
Just then, a simple-looking middle-aged man stepped forward and asked softly, "Miracle Doctor, would you mind taking a look at Lyra's condition? She's had a strange ailment since childhood—she sometimes emits an icy coldness, and during the worst of it, she can't even care for herself."
"Oh? Professor Lyra has such an unusual condition?" Caden's heart leapt, though he masked it with mild curiosity.
Old Master Oliver glanced toward Lyra, his eyes flickering with a strange emotion. "Miracle Doctor, it's true. Lyra has suffered from this since she was young. Could you take a look?"
Caden gave a sheepish smile. "I was once Professor Lyra's student. Even if she weren't connected to the Chandler family, I couldn't ignore it knowing she's suffering from an affliction."
Lyra's father immediately lit up with joy. "That's wonderful! Please, Miracle Doctor, help her!"
Caden stepped down from the platform and walked toward Lyra, who was still standing near the table. He smiled warmly. "Professor Lyra, would you allow me to check your pulse?"
Lyra's face darkened. The sight of him made her skin crawl.
This wasn't the indifferent, forgettable man from earlier—his face now made her deeply uncomfortable.
She shook her head and coldly replied, "I know my own body. Someone else is already treating me. There's no need to trouble you, Miracle Doctor."
Before Caden could respond, her father snapped, "Lyra! Don't be ungrateful! The Miracle Doctor's skills have just saved a life before our eyes! This is a blessing from heaven, and you dare refuse it?!"
Lyra turned away, her face full of bitter sorrow as she looked at the man shouting at her.
This… this was what a strict father was supposed to look like. But why did his presence feel like a thousand needles stabbing her heart?
Was this truly her biological father?
A man who wouldn't utter a word when being scolded by relatives…
A man who knew his wife had taken her own life after enduring years of humiliation from the old master, yet said nothing…
A man who bowed and scraped before outsiders but raised his voice like thunder at his own daughter?
What a joke.
Lyra laughed—not at her father's cowardice, but at herself.
What had she been hoping for?
That her father might one day stand up for her?
That he might fight back against the old man who had driven his wife to suicide?
Or that he'd protect her like a shelter in the storm?
Reality had slapped her in the face.
She wasn't a fool, and neither was her father.
Was this really just about healing her?
Of course not. It was because most of the family's favored heirs had just been taken away—and now only her father, the legitimate son, was left.
He had seen through Oliver's intentions, and now he wanted to pair her off with Caden Voss.
One did it for her body.
The other… for status.
Different motives, same goal: push her into Caden's arms.
Numb with despair, Lyra slowly extended her wrist.
This would be the last time she obeyed her father—her final concession.
Caden placed two fingers on her wrist. His brow furrowed deeper and deeper as he examined her.
Her father asked nervously, "Can it be treated?"
If not, how could he secure a powerful son-in-law who literally held the old master's life in his hands?
Anyone could see Caden was interested in Lyra.
Caden frowned. "Professor Lyra isn't sick. She has a rare constitution called the 'Mystic Yin Body.' When the yin energy flares up, she suffers intense cold. Normally, this can't be treated with medicine. But…"
"But what?" her father blurted anxiously.
Caden sighed. "For ordinary people, this condition is like a slow poison. They usually don't live past thirty—no medicine can save them.
But there's one exception. If the Mystic Yin Body is paired with someone possessing the Pure Yang Body, the cold can be neutralized—even cured completely.
And as it happens… I possess the Pure Yang Body."
The atmosphere instantly grew strange.
But no one dared say a word.
After all, they had just watched him pull Oliver back from death's door.
If Veil had been present, he probably would've given Caden a sarcastic thumbs-up for pulling off this shameless declaration with such conviction.
Impressive!
Only a true Child of Destiny could say something so absurd and still make it sound like a selfless act of heroism.
Not like Veil—uncultured and lacking in noble ideals. All he'd say was: "If you want to live past thirty, let me have a turn."
And if once wasn't enough? "Then I'll just have to try a few more times!"
Caden took a deep breath and continued. "Professor Lyra's symptoms have already subsided somewhat. I'm guessing she had a flare-up not long ago?
That's expected as she ages. The attacks will become more frequent, until eventually, her entire body succumbs to the cold—frozen solid."
"No! That can't happen!" her father cried. "She's still so young—she has her whole life ahead of her! Miracle Doctor, please—you must help her!"
Old Master Oliver stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Caden's shoulder. "You said you're Joseph's private doctor and bodyguard, yes? Would you be willing to work for our Chandler family?
Whatever Joseph's paying you, we'll offer ten times that!
Better yet, since Lyra's condition is so unstable, why not have the two of you live together? That way, if anything happens, you'll be right there to help."
Lyra's father immediately nodded. "Yes! Father's idea is brilliant—this way, not only can you look after her, but Lyra can also take care of your daily needs. It's a perfect arrangement!"
Caden offered a modest smile. "Well… I suppose it's not out of the question. With Professor Lyra's condition, she might not survive another attack…"
Just like that, the three men casually decided Lyra's future.
But did Lyra herself want any of this so-called "kindness"?
As she watched Caden chatting amiably with her father and grandfather, a wave of pure disgust surged through her.
How could someone be so shameless?
Wasn't this exactly what Veil had warned her about—this sanctimonious fraud pretending to be a man of virtue?
If she hadn't already experienced how easily Veil neutralized her last cold episode, maybe she really would've believed Caden's nonsense.
Compared to Veil—who might act cheeky in daily life but was dependable in serious moments—Caden Voss was a hundred times more loathsome: a man whose appearance of righteousness masked a filthy, manipulative soul.
Old Master Oliver gave a firm order: "Good. The villa in Purple Gold District is right next to Veyport University. You and Lyra will move in there together—it'll be convenient for both your schedules."
Caden was delighted and nodded in agreement.
But before he could say a word—
Lyra cut in coldly, "If you're so eager to move in with him, why don't you go live with him yourselves?"