Chapter 211: You Asked, How Could I Not Go?

Chapter 211: Chapter 211: You Asked, How Could I Not Go?

Early morning, in the Kensington family’s dining room.

Sebastian Kensington was quietly having breakfast with Miss Kensington. After a moment of deliberation, he slowly began to speak.

"Grandma, are you still going to the Sterlings’ later?"

"Yes, it was arranged a while ago. I’ve invited a theater troupe to perform today." Miss Kensington set down her teacup, a flicker of sorrow in her eyes.

"Sterling’s health is failing. I need to spend more time with her, so she doesn’t pass away with any regrets."

She sighed softly and turned to her grandson, her tone growing serious.

"If Sean Sterling runs into any trouble in the future, you need to help him out. The Sterling family’s fortune must not fall into the hands of someone with ulterior motives."

"I understand, Grandma," Sebastian replied. His fingertips tightened slightly. After a moment’s hesitation, he lowered his voice to ask, "Grandma, do you know if anyone holds a mortal grudge against the Sterling family?"

Miss Kensington’s brow furrowed in confusion. "Why on earth would you ask that? The Sterlings have been merchants for generations. Sterling is kind and generous to everyone; she shouldn’t have made any enemies."

’The rivalries and underhanded dealings of the business world are unavoidable. Isn’t that just part of doing business?’

She knew her grandson. He wouldn’t ask such a question without a reason.

"Sebastian, what exactly are you trying to say?"

"I suspect someone is secretly poisoning The Sterling Family."

Sebastian’s voice was calm, but Miss Kensington’s heart pounded with alarm.

Her expression darkened, and her tone grew heavy. "Have you discovered something?"

"There’s no solid proof yet, only a suspicion." Sebastian analyzed the situation with a serious expression. "The Sterling matriarch, Silas Sterling, and Julian have all fallen ill, one after another. You remember how healthy they all used to be. The family doctor gave them monthly checkups, but now every single one of them is sick. This can’t possibly be a coincidence."

"But if someone really is poisoning them, how could the renowned medical experts who were brought in to treat them find absolutely nothing? Sterling has been kind her entire life and has never wronged anyone. Who would harbor such malice toward the Sterling family?"

"Even the most brilliant specialists have their limits; there are rare and complex illnesses they’ve never encountered. Just because routine tests can’t detect it doesn’t mean a poison isn’t there. Grandma, we always have to prepare for the ’what if’."

’What if someone really is poisoning them, trying to take their lives?’

At his words, Miss Kensington’s brow furrowed even more deeply. ’If someone really did dare to poison them in secret, that is an act of pure evil. It must be thoroughly investigated, and the culprit must be severely punished!’

"Alright, I understand. When I get to the Sterlings’ later, I’ll find a chance to probe a little."

"They don’t even realize they’ve been poisoned, so what could you possibly find out? It would be best to bring in a few itinerant folk doctors to give Sterling and the others a thorough examination."

"Itinerant doctors?" Miss Kensington asked, puzzled. "The people treating the Sterlings are all top-tier medical professionals, renowned experts. You think they’re less capable than some unknown, wandering doctors?"

"Everyone has their own area of expertise," Sebastian explained calmly. "Those specialists are incredibly knowledgeable and skilled with conventional illnesses and modern medicine. But itinerant doctors travel all over, so they’ve seen and handled countless rare and complex cases. They might be able to spot clues that a regular doctor would miss."

"Then where would I find these itinerant doctors?" Realizing the gravity of the situation, Miss Kensington relented.

"You don’t need to worry about that; I’ve already made the arrangements. When you go to the Sterlings’ later, just take him with you. And whatever you do, don’t reveal his true identity. We don’t want to tip our hand."

The previous night, after consulting Miss Grayson, Vesper Grayson had stopped him as he was leaving. She gave him an address in the old district, telling him to find a traditional folk doctor named Limping Lawson.

Seeing he already had a plan, Miss Kensington didn’t press for more details.

After breakfast, Sebastian personally escorted his grandmother out and drove straight to the old district. After navigating a maze of winding streets, they finally found an inconspicuous traditional medicine shop on a quiet old street.

Inside the shop sat a man approaching his sixties. His hair and beard were gray, but he sat ramrod straight, his eyes clear and his spirit vigorous. It was Limping Lawson.

When Sebastian Kensington entered, Limping Lawson glanced up and asked slowly, "Young man, are you here for herbs or a consultation?"

"I am Sebastian Kensington. Miss Vesper Grayson sent me to find you," Sebastian said, his tone gentle and respectful.

Hearing this, Limping Lawson immediately set down his medical book and looked up, studying the young man intently.

"Who are you to Vesper?"

"A friend of hers." Sebastian did not hide his purpose, explaining solemnly, "Miss Grayson said the illnesses afflicting the Sterling family are peculiar, and that you might be the only one who can see what’s really going on."

Limping Lawson stroked his gray beard, his eyes flickering as if weighing the pros and cons.

"If you don’t believe me, you can call Miss Grayson right now to confirm," Sebastian offered, sensing the man’s caution.

"Wait here," Limping Lawson tossed out before turning and heading into the back courtyard to dial Vesper Grayson’s number.

The call connected quickly. Limping Lawson chuckled into the phone, "Vesper, a young fella named Sebastian Kensington just came by, said you sent him to find me?"

Vesper’s voice was soft. "Mr. Hitch, I’m pregnant, so it isn’t convenient for me to go. I’ll have to trouble you to make a trip to the Sterlings’ and assess the situation."

"You’re pregnant?" Limping Lawson was stunned for a moment before teasing with a smile, "Is it with that Lockwood boy? When are you planning the wedding?"

Three years ago, he had even gone to Ashmore to celebrate the New Year with her and consult her on some medical issues.

Back then, she and the Lockwood boy were in the honeymoon phase of their relationship.

’If I recall correctly, his name was Luke Lockwood, right?’

The young man was handsome and distinguished, refined and elegant. Although he was an orphan, he was extremely considerate of Vesper.

It was enough to make a lonely old man like him want to find an old woman and fall in love.

"It’s not him. We broke up a long time ago."

"Why did you break up?" Limping Lawson’s voice became stern. "Did he mistreat you? Did he do something to wrong you?"

Vesper Grayson teased, "You really hit the nail on the head. Maybe you should switch careers and become a fortune-teller."

"You little rascal, always teasing me. So what really happened?"

"It’s a long story. I’ll tell you all about it when I get the chance." Vesper glossed over it, instead giving Limping Lawson a brief rundown of the Sterling family members’ conditions.

"Vesper, it’s not that I’m trying to back out of it, but you know my abilities better than anyone. Even if I go, I doubt I’ll be able to cure them," Limping Lawson said, exasperated. ’Don’t be fooled by his age; his medical skills were nowhere near as good as Vesper’s. At best, he was just a dabbler.’

"Mr. Hitch, please don’t sell yourself short," Vesper said gently. "For this trip, I just need you to examine their pulses and confirm the root cause of the illness. We can discuss the actual treatment in detail when you get back."

"Fine, I get it. Since you’re the one asking, how can I say no?"

He didn’t usually make house calls, preferring to see patients and sell medicine at his shop.

The old man had no grand ambitions; he was content to live out his retirement minding his little shop.

Limping Lawson hung up the phone and returned to the front of the shop. He casually picked up a plain, old cloth tote bag and looked at Sebastian Kensington.

"Let’s go. This old man will accompany you to the Sterlings’."

A flash of joy appeared in Sebastian Kensington’s eyes. He immediately stepped aside, making a respectful gesture.

"Sir, after you."