Given Upton''s status, what could he possibly have to trade? What did he have that Upton would want?


    "Mr. Thorne, please, we need your help!" Lisette snapped back to reality, quickly jumping in to plead on Horatio''s behalf. "My brother''s legs are in critical condition, and only she can help him!"


    Upton nced at them, his lips curling into a cold smirk. "You really don''t know who she is, do you?"


    "If we knew, we wouldn''t be here begging you!" Lisette shot back anxiously.


    "You''re the ones who pissed her off, and now youe running to me for help? That''s hrious." Upton let out a chuckle. He didn''t bother wasting any more time on them and simply turned to leave with Baber in tow.


    Baber nced back and stuck out his tongue. "Bunch of idiots-clutching a rotten apple like it''s gold while tossing away real treasure!"


    Horatio and the others frowned, confused by Baber''s remark, and even more confused by Upton''s words.


    What did he mean by that? Had they somehow offended the Miracle Doctor?


    Impossible. They didn''t even know who she was, let alone have the chance to offend her.


    "You lot still standing around for what? Get moving!" one of the security guards barked at them, snapping them out of their daze.


    With no other choice, they left the hospital.


    Inside their car, uncertainty filled the air.


    "How could we have possibly offended the Miracle Doctor? We don''t even know her! Upton''s probably just making excuses because he doesn''t want to help us," Valerian huffed, his frustration evident.


    "That''s what I think too," Lisette agreed, before turning toward Horatio.


    Horatio''s expression was grim. They hade all this way looking for the Miracle Doctor, but not only had they failed to find her, they hadn''t even gotten the slightest lead.


    If they couldn''t track her down, then he''d be stuck in this damn wheelchair like before.


    No, he refused to ept that. He needed to walk again. He wasn''t going to be a cripple.


    ...


    That evening, Calliope received an iing video call from Baber.


    At the time, she was sprawled out on a plush rug, leaning against Million while casually ying a game.


    When she answered, Baber''s chubby, rosy-cheeked face popped up on the


    screen.


    "Mommy! What are you doing?"


    "ying a game," Calliope replied with a gentle smile. "What about you? Did you eat?"


    "Yep!" Baber grinned. "Mommy, are you free tomorrow? I wanna go out and y with you!"


    "Tomorrow? Sure. What do you want to do?" Calliope propped her chin on her hand, watching him.


    "I heard there''s a huge amusement park nearby! Daddy''s busy tomorrow, so can you take me instead?"


    "Of course."


    "Yay! I knew you were the best!"


    "Obviously. I love you the most."


    "Oh, Mommy! Speaking of which, those annoying Jewell family people were asking about you today! Daddy and I didn''t tell them anything! They want you to heal that guy''s legs, the one in a wheelchair, so shameless! They kicked you out, but now they want your help? The nerve! Baber eximed, his exasperation evident. "Mommy, do you need me to handle them?"


    "Not necessary," Calliope chuckled and said softly. "Thanks for keeping my I can handle them myself."


    sweetheart. And I


    "Actually, you should just tell them


    you''re the Miracle Doctor and


    them" Baber huffed


    watch


    indignantly.