Chapter 8 Sara Awakens

“Sara!” Audrey was sitting by the bedside. When she turned and saw Sara waking up, she cried out with joyful excitement, tears welling in her eyes. She clutched Sara’s hand tightly, laughing and crying at once. “Sara, you’re finally awake! I’ve waited for this day for six whole months! Thank goodness, you’re finally alright!” Chuck trembled all over, his face lit with excitement, his body shaking slightly. He hurried forward, gazing fondly at his precious daughter, a relieved smile spreading across his lips as he murmured, “It’s good that you’re awake.” Even Micah’s aged face broke into a smile. He stepped closer to check on Sara and then said, “Call the private doctor to give Sara a full physical examination.” Soon, the Stewart family’s private doctor arrived with several medical staff and equipment, beginning a detailed examination of Sara. “Dr. Lockhart, how are all my daughter’s physical indicators?” Audrey asked, her voice tense. “Mrs. Stewart, after examination, Ms. Stewart’s physical indicators are all within normal ranges. She is just slightly weak, which can be restored with rest and nourishment.” Holden Lockhart reported. He couldn’t hide the astonishment in his voice, feeling this was nothing short of a medical miracle. As the Stewart family’s private doctor, he had been regularly monitoring Sara’s condition. Just a few days ago during a check-up, Sara’s brain had shown activity almost consistent with brain death, with only minimal fluctuations—medically speaking, she was effectively in a vegetative state. Not only had she now miraculously awakened, but her brain function had also fully recovered. It was utterly incredible to him. “Haha, this is truly wonderful!” Chuck burst into hearty laughter, the gloom that had hung over him for the past six months completely dispelled. “We owe it all to Mr. Bryant. If he hadn’t stepped in, how could Sara have woken up?” Audrey spoke up, not forgetting Stefan’s role. She turned to look at him, her tone sincere. “Mr. Bryant, I really can’t thank you enough.” Stefan, however, turned to look at Hewitt with a faint, knowing smile. “You went to such trouble to call all these people here, and now you’ve stopped? Should I wait for them to rush at me?” Hewitt gritted his teeth, his face ashen. He never dreamed he’d be proven wrong so quickly. As for Hank, his expression looked like he’d swallowed something foul. He refused to acknowledge that Stefan was the one who had awakened Sara. Burning with shame and anger, he retorted, “What skills could an ex-con possibly have? It must be thanks to Mr. Hale! Mr. Hale treated her earlier, and you have the nerve to claim credit for yourself!” “Yes, that must be it,” Hewitt chimed in, agreeing. “Enough!” Micah reprimanded them, glaring at Hewitt. “Aren’t you ashamed enough? Take these guards and leave.” Then, turning to Stefan, he said, “Mr. Bryant, since you have awakened Sara, as promised, I hereby give Sara to you in marriage. Your engagement with her is settled.” Upon hearing this, Stefan remained remarkably calm, but Sara, lying in bed, was anything but composed. Her beautiful eyes widened as she looked from her grandfather to Stefan, her mind flooded with confusion. She had just woken up from a coma, and her lifelong commitment had already been decided? Sara quickly tugged at Audrey’s sleeve beside the bed, whispering to ask what was going on. “Dad, I think this matter still needs careful consideration. For Sara to wake up, it might not necessarily be this young man’s doing…” Chuck hurriedly spoke up, attempting to halt the marriage arrangement. He hadn’t liked Stefan from the start, and now that Sara was awake, he found it even harder to accept his precious daughter marrying him. Sara was renowned throughout River City for her beauty, and her talent and intelligence were no less than her looks. The number of young masters from prominent families and talented suitors pursuing her was countless. Any one of them would be far better than an ex-con who had just been released from prison. By now, Audrey had briefly explained the situation to Sara. Hearing Chuck’s words, her temper flared. “Chuck Stewart, what do you mean by that? If it’s not Mr. Bryant’s doing, whose could it be? I think you’re just being ungrateful!” Chuck said coldly, “Sara waking up is due to her own good fortune and Mr. Hale’s treatment. What does this kid have to do with it? He’s been in prison for three years—where could he have learned medicine? If you don’t believe me, ask Mr. Hale.” With that, he pulled Valka forward and asked, “Mr. Hale, tell everyone openly: is my daughter’s awakening due to the acupuncture treatment you performed earlier?” “I…” Valka instinctively glanced at Stefan, breaking out in a cold sweat, feeling uneasy. He would have loved to claim the credit, but deep down, he knew he had no confidence in treating Sara’s condition. And remembering the energy needle he thought he’d glimpsed earlier… Now that Sara was awake, he had his answer. It wasn’t his eyes playing tricks—it was Stefan’s technique of manipulating energy to form needles. Immediately, he said, “Mr. Stewart, I dare not claim this credit.” “All of you, stop arguing.” Micah looked at Chuck and Audrey, then said, “Regardless, Sara awakened after Mr. Bryant arrived. Therefore, this marriage is settled.” Celeste’s eyes shifted, and she smiled sweetly, her tone laced with sarcasm. “Oh my, congratulations. A double celebration. Sara’s awake, and you’ve gained a fine son-in-law. Once word gets out, your family’s reputation will surely soar.” Zoey also walked over, expressing warm concern for Sara. Then, shifting her tone, she said with a smile, “Congratulations on gaining a fiancé as soon as you wake up. I hope you two have a long and happy union. “Oh, I forgot to mention—this fiancé of yours is actually someone I rejected.” Zoey finished with a haughty tone. Stefan glanced at Zoey, a slight curve lifting the corner of his mouth. You’d better hope you never need my help in the future. “Sara’s awakening is a joyous event, worthy of celebration.” Frazier from the second branch said with a smile. Beside him, Hank had been staring intently at Sara for a while before discreetly averting his gaze, lowering his head slightly. What he was thinking was anyone’s guess. “Zoey, did the mouthwash I recommended to you before not work? Why does your breath still smell as foul as ever?” At that moment, Sara, still lying down, spoke up, then added, “I’m a bit tired from just waking up. I’d like some peace. If you have things to say, please do so outside.” “Yes, Sara, you need plenty of rest after just waking up. I’ll prepare some nourishing food to help you recover,” Audrey quickly said. “Sara, rest well and focus on getting better.” Micah spoke, then addressed everyone in the room, “Everyone, step outside. Let’s not disturb Sara’s rest.” Upon hearing this, everyone left the room. Stefan thought for a moment and began to follow them out, but from behind came Sara’s slightly weak yet melodious and captivating voice. “That… Stefan, please don’t leave just yet. I have something to say to you.”