Chapter 7 Parlor Tricks

Silas felt warmth rising in his chest cavity. His weak heart jumped into rejuvenation, and the beats became rhythmic again.

The billionaire sat up, wheezing uncontrollably. His eyes ran wild, and he went into a seizure.

Natalie rushed at Tyler and slapped him hard across the face. 

"You fraud! What have you done to my father?!"

Tyler took a step back in surprise. He had been focused on healing and had not expected the heiress to assault him physically.

"I'll sue you into oblivion!" She screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You monster!"

"Calm down," Tyler said. "He's already recovered."

Natalia looked like she didn’t believe it at all.

"It's okay, Nat…" Silas said, stepping down from the car and getting to his feet. 

His skin looked more youthful, and his breathing had become normal.

Natalie watched her recovered father with widened eyes. 

Did the homeless man really heal him? Were such miracles actually possible? She began to have an existential panic.

"Thank you, young man," Silas said, patting Tyler's shoulder. 

"You possess a special gift, and I am blessed to have met you. I owe you my life."

Tyler, still annoyed by Natalie's slap, shook his head at the billionaire. 

"The healing is temporary. I merely extended your lifespan by a week. You can spend it in the hospital if you must. But even the most talented doctors can't help you."

Silas laughed a hearty laugh. 

"I must thank you, regardless. It gives me sufficient time to solve a few pending issues.”

He extended a debit card to the young man.

“I wish to give you a million dollars for treating me. Kindly accept the same."

Tyler shook his head again. 

"As I mentioned earlier, I won't charge a penny for my services. If that is all, I will take my leave from you. I have somewhere important to be, and time is running out."

But Silas firmly shoved the credit card into his pocket, not giving Tyler any chance to refuse.

Tyler raised an eyebrow. 

Was the old man trying to bribe him? Did he think Tyler would be able to heal him completely?

Natalie was still adamant. 

"Dad, let's go to the hospital. These parlor tricks won't help you. You need an actual doctor and medical intervention."

She avoided Tyler's gaze and left in the Lamborghini.

"What a rowdy and ungrateful girl," the young man said to himself as he turned and walked away. "I hope I don't run into her again."

 ***

The unexpected encounter with the Anderson patriarch and his arrogant daughter didn’t bother Tyler too much—he was too focused on rushing to his girlfriend, Erica Sinclair’s, place.

Just thinking about her filled him with worry.

Did Trent Cooper arm-twist his girlfriend to marry him? If so, the trauma she must have gone through was unimaginable.

Regardless, the poor girl wouldn't have to worry anymore since her savior had arrived.

Things didn't turn out as Tyler expected. He could barely recognize the Sinclair compound. Three years back, the family lived in an ordinary two-bedroom house. Now, in its place stood a new mansion! Did the Sinclairs win a lottery?

Tyler stepped through the iron gateway, bewildered by the transformation. The place was decked up in bridal decorations and swarmed with people. Relatives and uniformed servants rushed around, making arrangements for some occasion. Were they preparing for the wedding?

A familiar face emerged from the main entrance as soon as Tyler stepped into the driveway.

"Is that you, Tyler?" the middle-aged lady asked. It was Gertrude, Erica's mother.

Three years back, she used to pamper him as her future son-in-law. Now, the woman's voice was laced with derision, and she glared at him with narrowed eyes.

"Who allowed you to enter the premises? Ex-convicts need to stay out! Shall I call the cops?"

Tyler was taken aback by the woman's hostility. "Gertrude! That was uncalled for! I am here to rescue Erica."

"I know Trent is forcing her to marry him. Don't worry. Now that I am back, she can call off the wedding. I'll protect Erica."

Gertrude scoffed at the young man. "Rescue? Force? Has prison rotted your brain, punk?"

"Who asked you to come back, huh? We don't want your stink in our mansion! We don't want you anywhere near our daughter! Get lost!"