Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System

Chapter 178: The Frog Beneath the Well

The Frog Beneath the Well

Julian rubbed his chin.

"There are doctors who can treat symptoms."

His tone turned thoughtful.

"And there are doctors who understand cause."

Yana’s orange eyes narrowed.

"You mean only some doctor treats symptoms?"

Julian gave a harmless smile.

"I didn’t say that."

A faint spark almost lit in Yana’s gaze—then a heavier older voice cut in from the side.

"Yana, there’s no need to trouble Young Master Julian. Lucas is enough to help me."

Wren Tyson frowned slightly.

There was pride in that expression.

And caution.

He disliked troubling others.

Disliked owing favors even more.

Especially to someone like Julian D’Aurelius, whom in his heart he had dismissed as a pampered heir wrapped in family prestige.

Noticing the trace of disdain in the older man’s eyes, Julian almost rolled his eyes.

Internally, he did.

This again.

Classic feel-good novel setting.

As long as you were marked antagonist, people were instinctively predisposed to dislike you.

And every supporting character around the so-called protagonist would naturally see you as frivolous.

His thoughts began firing one after another.

( Brother, why are you acting all high and mighty with me? I don’t owe you money. )

Yana’s lashes twitched.

Here we go again.

Julian kept smiling politely while inwardly grumbling.

( Still counting on Lucas—if he treats you three more times, your legs will be fine. )

Wren remained composed.

Then—

( Then just count the days until you’re lying in a coffin crying for burial. )

Yana nearly inhaled sharply.

The contrast between his courteous face and outrageous inner voice was absurd.

And terrifying.

Though annoyed, Julian could not argue openly.

Instead he spoke aloud.

"I have a good relationship with Miracle Doctor Amara. Uncle Wren can have her take a look."

Wren Tyson’s brows moved.

Before he answered, Yana gave a bitter smile.

"Miracle Doctor Amara... we’ve already visited her, but it didn’t seem to help much."

But inwardly she was shaken even more.

Because Lucas had indeed told her exactly that.

Three more treatments.

Her father would walk again.

And Julian had somehow known.

Julian leaned forward a fraction.

"Have Miracle Doctor Amara check again. Maybe she’ll find a way."

His tone stayed casual.

But the meaning beneath it sharpened.

"Her medical skills are far superior to those unknown quack doctors."

A subtle jab.

Yana caught it.

So did Wren.

And then Julian’s mind continued mercilessly.

( Sigh, I’ve said all I can, can’t you take a hint? )

( Quickly have Amara take a look, she can definitely find the problem. )

(Otherwise, when the funeral comes, don’t blame me for not warn you)

Yana’s expression turned slightly grim.

Having Miracle Doctor Amara confirm it...

That did sound reasonable.

But Wren Tyson was already displeased.

His regard for Lucas bordered on admiration.

A young genius of cultivation and medicine.

How could this black-haired rich heir casually dismiss him?

A faint sneer touched Wren’s mouth.

"Young Master Julian," he said coolly, "there are countless hidden experts in this world."

His voice carried old martial pride.

"Get out more and see. Sitting in a well and looking at the sky only invites laughter."

The words were not loud.

But sharp.

Julian forced a smile.

A very strained one.

Inside—

(Damn, I really don’t want to bother with you.)

(If it weren’t for not wanting to see your Tyson Family become Lucas’s pawn, causing trouble for my D’Aurelius household...)

(I really wouldn’t waste my breath on you.)

Then the harshest thought yet—

(Getting killed, daughter given away, family handed over... you supporting characters are worse off than me, the antagonist.)

Yana heard every word.

And awkward heat climbed her neck.

Because for all his arrogance and nonsense—

he truly meant well.

No malice.

Only frustration.

She suddenly felt a little guilty for nearly punching him.

So she looked toward her father.

"Alright, Dad, stop it. Young Master Julian means well."

The defense came out softer than she intended.

Julian blinked.

She defended me?

Wren Tyson turned sharply to his daughter.

His face darkened.

Silence.

Heavy silence.

Could it be...

his daughter really had her eyes on such a useless pretty boy?

The thought alone offended his martial soul.

His daughter?

His exceptional daughter?

The genius of the Tyson Family?

Did this boy deserve her?

He studied Julian anew.

Black hair.

Golden eyes.

Too handsome.

Too relaxed.

Too unserious.

And worst of all—

he lacked the strength to support all those good qualities.

A waste.

In Wren’s eyes, weakness could ruin even the finest potential.

Dangerous qualities in a future son-in-law.

His gaze sharpened unconsciously.

Julian, meanwhile, felt the scrutiny and stiffened a little.

He forced a small smile.

"...Uncle Wren?"

No response.

That only made it worse.

Internally—

(Why is this man looking at me like he’s evaluating a future son-in-law... and deciding whether to test my bones?)

Yana nearly choked.

Future son-in-law?!

Her ears flushed.

She glared.

Hard.

Julian noticed.

(Ah... Battle girl angry again. Cute when angry too...)

Her hand twitched.

One punch.

One punch would solve everything.

But instead, she lowered her voice.

"Don’t mind my father rude words."

Julian looked at her.

And unexpectedly answered seriously.

"I don’t mind his rude words."

A pause.

Then with a faint smile.

"I mind whether he survives."

That struck both father and daughter.

Wren Tyson’s fingers tightened subtly on the wheelchair arm.

The leather beneath his grip creased.

He did not answer at once.

But something in his gaze shifted.

Only slightly.

Respect did not appear.

Yet dismissal weakened.

Yana caught it.

So did Julian.

For a fleeting moment, the air between them no longer felt like idle conversation, but the edge of something heavier.

The boarding line began moving.

Travelers shuffled forward.

Announcements echoed overhead.

The world resumed motion.

Wren Tyson finally spoke, his voice stiff, formal, carrying the stubbornness of a man who had already made peace with his own decisions.

"Thank you for your concern..."

A brief pause.

"...but I believe in Mister Lucas’s treatment."

His tone made it sound final.

As though the matter was closed.

Yana lowered her eyes faintly, saying nothing.

Julian merely looked at him for a moment.

Then inclined his head.

"As you wish."

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

With a deep sigh, he turned slightly.

Internally—

[Whatever. The choice is yours—what do you prefer, die or leave?]

A trace of helpless amusement lingered beneath the thought.

As if he had already said more than he intended.

Yana heard it and almost fall in deep thought.

She lowered herself beside her father in silence, movements controlled, almost mechanical, yet her thoughts were nowhere near calm.

Her orange eyes seemed distant.

Beside her, Wren Tyson remained silent, his face wearing a deep-thinking expression.

He did not speak.

But his gaze shifted once toward Julian, then back to his daughter.

His brows subtly drew together.

Could it be...

Could his daughter really have her eyes on such a useless pretty boy?

The thought made his expression grow even stranger.