chapter637

Lydia barely paused, her hands moving quickly as she glanced up at Larry. "So?"

Larry couldn't believe this was happening. He'd dropped every hint he could, but Lydia was still determined to use acupuncture on Mabel. He started to seriously doubt her intentions.

He turned to Nathaniel, searching for backup. "Sir, she's from the Norwood family. The Robinsons and the Norwoods haven't spoken in years. Isn't it a little convenient that today, of all days, they show up to treat the mistress?"

Nathaniel had his doubts about Lydia's skills, but he wasn't about to go full conspiracy theorist. He frowned. You're reading too much into it. She said she could help."

Larry wouldn't let it go. "Asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Doing acupuncture in an emergency like this takes real expertise. She looks like she just graduated high school. Are you sure you want to trust her with your mother? What if she messes up and things get even worse?"

"If you keep rambling, that's when something bad will really happen," Lydia said, cutting him off. She nodded at Nathaniel. Help her sit up.

She reached to unfasten the buttons on Mabel's blouse and, without looking up, told the men in the room, "All men, please step out."

Connor and Elliot instantly understood and slipped out of the office.

Larry was practically sweating bullets now. Sir! You're making a mistake! She... she..."

Nathaniel looked exhausted. Just go. I'm trusting her this time. If anything goes wrong, I'll deal with my dad myself, okay?"

Larry stomped his foot, but as he saw Lydia undo the first button on Mabel's blouse, he realized he had no choice but to leave.

For an asthma emergency, Lydia targeted three acupuncture points. The first was at the center of the chest to open the airways. Next was a spot on the back that helped the lungs function better. The last point was near the spine, meant to calm coughing and ease the attack.

Nathaniel watched with his heart in his throat, worried that Lydia might make things worse. But after she placed the third needle he could hardly believe what he was seeing Mabel's harsh, desperate breathing faded almost instantly, her breaths becoming smoother.

Three minutes later, color started coming back to Mabel's lips. The sound of her gasping was all but gone.

Nathaniel was stunned. It felt unreal. Just three needles and she was okay?

He turned to Lydia, still in shock. "She's... she's fine now?"

Lydia shot him a look. "What else did you expect?"

Nathaniel covered his mouth, then nervously patted his own

let out a shaky breath The

She's okay She's really okay."

Before he could say more, there was a frantic knock at the door. Larry's voice came through. "Sir! The ambulance is here!"

Nathaniel rushed to the door and called out through the gap, "We don't need them anymore. Tell them to leave."

"What? But... they're supposed to take Mrs. Robinson to the hospital!"

"My mom's fine now. There's no need for a hospital."

Larry stood outside, completely lost. He'd been sure Lydia would make things worse, not better. How could the mistress be fine already? It just didn't make sense

No... something had to be wrong. Was Nathaniel being threatened?

"Sir! Is everything really alright in there? I'm coming in!"