Chapter 2

Weeks passed, the city' s elite still buzzing about Ethan Miller' s shocking refusal to treat Bree Vanderbilt.

Ethan kept to himself, trying to process his new chance at life, the weight of his past memories still heavy.

Then, an invitation arrived, embossed with the Vanderbilt crest, for their annual charity gala.

Eleanor Vanderbilt had sent it, a silent plea perhaps, or a power play.

Curiosity, and a premonition, made Ethan accept.

He arrived at the opulent ballroom, a sea of diamonds and designer gowns.

Eleanor greeted him, her smile strained, her eyes pleading. "Mr. Miller, thank you for coming."

Before Ethan could reply, a commotion near the grand staircase drew everyone's attention.

Chad Kensington stood there, tanned and triumphant, holding a small, intricately carved wooden box.

"My dearest Bree," Chad announced, his voice resonating through the suddenly silent room, "I' ve returned, and I bring your salvation!"

Bree, wheeled to the front by a tearful Eleanor, gasped, her eyes wide with adoration.

Chad strode towards her, a conquering hero. "This," he declared, holding up the box, "is the legendary Amazonian Sunpetal, it will restore your legs!"

A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd.

Eleanor turned to Ethan, her voice a desperate whisper. "Mr. Miller, can you... can you verify this? Is it real?"

Ethan looked at the box, then at Chad' s overly confident smirk. He remembered the truth about Chad' s "heroic" trip.

Before Ethan could speak, Chad spotted him.

"Well, well, if it isn' t the esteemed Mr. Miller," Chad said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Come to witness a real miracle, something beyond your limited capabilities?"

He gestured to a group of distinguished doctors standing nearby. "Or perhaps you and these other so-called experts want to inspect my findings? Though I doubt you'd understand its complexities."

Bree, her face alight with renewed hope, latched onto Chad' s arm.

"Oh, Chad, you' re amazing! Unlike some charlatans who offer nothing but doom and gloom." She shot a venomous glare at Ethan.

Ethan remained impassive, his gaze steady.

Chad, clearly enjoying the spotlight and seeking to further assert his dominance over Ethan, stepped forward.

"In fact," Chad announced, his voice booming, "let' s make this interesting, a public demonstration of true healing versus... whatever it is Mr. Miller claims to do."

He turned to Ethan, a malicious glint in his eyes.

"I propose a wager, Miller, a high-stakes bet, right here, right now, in front of New York' s finest."

The crowd gasped, then fell into an excited hush.

"I, Chad Kensington, will cure Bree Vanderbilt' s paralysis before you, Ethan Miller, can awaken Sarah Chen from her coma."

Sarah Chen, still comatose, her mother Linda growing more desperate by the day.

"The loser," Chad continued, his smile predatory, "must publicly admit their inferiority and leave New York City in disgrace, never to practice their 'art' here again."

He paused for dramatic effect. "What do you say, Miller? Or are you afraid to put your reputation on the line against a true healer?"

Ethan felt a familiar anger rise, the same anger he' d felt in his past life watching Bree' s blind devotion to this fraud.

But this time, he also saw an opportunity, a way to save Sarah, a way to expose Chad, and perhaps, a way to finally sever his ties to the Vanderbilts.

He met Chad' s challenging gaze.

"I accept your bet, Kensington."

A collective intake of breath from the audience.

"However," Ethan continued, his voice calm and clear, "I will focus my efforts on Sarah Chen, she deserves a chance at life."

Chad laughed dismissively. "Suit yourself, Miller, choose your lost cause, it only makes my victory sweeter."

Eleanor looked torn, hope for Bree warring with a flicker of doubt about Chad.

Bree, however, was ecstatic. "You' ll lose, Ethan! Chad is a hero, and you' re nothing!"

Ethan ignored her, his focus on the terms of the bet.

"Ten days," Ethan stated. "We have ten days, the one whose patient shows definitive recovery first wins."

The elite of New York City erupted in excited chatter, wagers already being whispered.

The gauntlet was thrown.