Chapter 7

Micah didn't answer Lucas's question. Instead, he jumped up in a panic and grabbed Lucas's arm.

"Lucas, you gotta find someone else. I can't deal with these two!"

With that, he left his assistant behind and bolted out of the villa.

Lucas stood there, staring at the muddy handprint on his arm, deep in thought.

The servant beside them vividly recounted what had just happened, and Lucas's face turned completely sour.

He shouted, "Bring them to me!"

Soon, Richard and Catherine were brought before Lucas.

Lucas spoke earnestly, "Richard, why'd you treat Micah like that? I went through a lot of trouble to get him here to help you."

Richard grinned foolishly and said, "I'm not sick, I don't need a doctor. She's healthy too."

Catherine, surprised that Richard was defending her, quickly nodded in agreement. "I'm not sick, you're the one who's sick!"

Lucas forced a smile, but a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. They were just two fools; how could they possibly have tried to bury the doctor alive? Could it be that they were just pretending to be stupid?

But looking at them, it didn't seem like it.

After pondering for a moment, Lucas put on a fake smile and said to them, "Richard, Catherine, since Micah has left, you can go play. This was my fault for not considering things properly. If you don't like Micah, I'll find another doctor."

He closely watched their expressions but saw nothing unusual, easing his suspicions a bit.

No matter what, a doctor's examination was necessary. They might have dodged it this time, but they wouldn't escape next time!

Richard glanced at Lucas, then took Catherine's arm and went upstairs to the playroom.

Catherine, maintaining her act as a fool, sat on the floor and started playing with dolls.

Servants came in a few times, likely sent by Lucas to keep an eye on them.

"I'm a bit tired. You play here, I'm going to sleep," Richard said.

Catherine looked up from the dolls, delighted. Finally, some freedom!

"Go ahead, I'll protect these dolls."

She couldn't help but blush at her own words.

"Catherine, you're amazing!" Richard's praise didn't make Catherine feel relaxed; instead, she felt like he saw right through her.

By the time she realized it, Richard had already left the playroom.

Outside, Richard's expression changed instantly, his smile fading. His expression was calm and mysterious, and his eyes were like the ocean, deep and unfathomable.

This was his true self, the genius strategist of the Smith family.

Richard stretched his neck and took out his phone to dial a familiar number.

"Hey, what's up? Aren't you busy with your fiancée?" A voice answered.

Richard replied, "Be serious, I have important matters to discuss. Contact Lucas, he'll tell you what to do."

Brent Lewis gasped. "Aren't you and Lucas like oil and water? Why do you want me to contact him?"

Richard's voice was low, a playful smile on his lips. "Only then will he believe I'm really a fool."

Brent paused, then sighed. "Alright, I get it. I'll find a way to contact Lucas. But seriously, the Smith family has been at this for years..."

Before he could finish, Richard hung up.

Almost simultaneously, the door opened, and Catherine walked in, looking confused.

"Richard, I'm tired too. Were you on the phone?"

Richard, holding his phone, excitedly called her over. "Check this out, this guy is so silly."

Catherine saw that Richard had somehow turned on a news program, where the anchor was reporting a story.

She pouted, thinking she might catch Richard pretending to be stupid, but it was just the news.

Reluctantly, she clapped her hands. "Wow, that's amazing!"

When she looked up, Richard accidentally met her clear, bright eyes, reflecting his image.

Richard was momentarily stunned.

"What's wrong?" Catherine asked.

Richard quickly looked away, a rare hint of embarrassment on his face. "Nothing, nothing, I'm fine!"

Catherine was puzzled but didn't press further. Dealing with Micah today had been mentally exhausting.

It was time to rest.

But Lucas didn't give them a chance to rest.

At 3 PM, the doorbell rang, breaking the usual calm of the Smith Villa.

Brent, dressed in a white suit, and his assistant carrying professional equipment, appeared at the villa.

Lucas personally came down to greet them.

"Hello, Dr. Lewis! It's a pleasure to finally meet you. You truly are a remarkable talent and exceptionally handsome!"

Brent gave a polite, fake smile and stopped Lucas from shaking his hand. "Sorry, I have a bit of a germ phobia. I don't shake hands."

Lucas's face showed a brief moment of awkwardness before he said, "I understand, doctors often..."

"I'm not like those quacks, Lucas. By the way, my fees are quite high."

Lucas sneered. "Dr. Lewis, don't worry about money. The Smith family has plenty of it!"

"As long as my nephew gets better, I'll pay whatever it takes."

Brent smiled but kept his thoughts to himself. 'What a shrewd man. All that money came from Richard's stock trading. Without Richard, who knows what would have happened to the nearly bankrupt Smith family.'

"Richard is lucky to have an uncle like you," Brent said cryptically, leaving Lucas puzzled.

As Lucas pondered, Richard and Catherine came out of their room, looking wary.

Lucas was about to warn Brent to be careful, but to his surprise, they cooperated with the examination.

No more digging holes to bury doctors.

Hope sparked in Lucas's heart.

Under Lucas's expectant gaze, Brent finished the examination, his professional smile in place. He turned and said, "Lucas, I'm sorry to tell you, Richard's brain is being compressed by an unknown object, reducing his intelligence to that of a three-year-old. As for Catherine, though the cause is different, her intelligence is also at the level of a five-year-old."

Lucas's face lit up with excitement, but realizing many were watching, he quickly put on a sad expression.

"So that's it. Thank you, Dr. Lewis. My poor nephew, what a tough life he's had."