?Chapter 1260:


    Lenny’s eyes widened in horror as panic seized his voice. “Wait… what are you nning to do?!”


    If Hurst had randomly plunged that needle, who would shoulder the me once ine’s situation got worse?


    Yet Hurst remained utterly unbothered. Gripping the glinting needle, he pinpointed a location just behind ine’s lobe with surgical precision. With a sharp twist of his fingers, the needle embedded itself swiftly and wlessly into the targeted spot.


    “Ah!” A sudden gasp escaped from the figure on the hospital mattress. ine, who moments before resembled a corpse, suddenly tightened his brow, a grimace crossing his face as though weathering invisible torment. Then, beneath Tina’s and Lenny’s stunned stares, ine’s eyelids began to lift — unhurried but unmistakable.


    Lenny stood frozen, mind wiped clean. Just a single motion… and the man had stirred. Could this be real? Lenny was sure it defied reason. Dread washed over him, but years of managing emergencies taught him to mask his emotions fast.


    He stretched his lips into a strained grin, his voice shaking faintly. “He woke up! Mr. Castro woke up!”


    Lenny spun toward Hurst. His expression was conflicted, but aweced his words. “Dr. Lawson… what you’ve done is unbelievable! Aplete phenomenon!” Lenny couldn’t afford to slip. Hisposure needed to stay wless.


    Hurst retrieved the needle and casually dropped it back on the tray. ncing sideways at Lenny’s theatrical disy, he let out a cryptic smirk. Then, turning smoothly to Tina, he arched a brow. “Well? Impressed now? I charge what I’m worth—fair enough, right?”


    Tina, however, wasn’t listening. Her eyes were glued to the man who had just awakened. Tears brimmed instantly as she bent closer, voice trembling with disbelief. “You’re really awake? How do you feel? Can you speak?”


    ine’s eyes drifted toward her, catching her delighted expression.


    He lifted the edge of his lips into a crooked grin, yful yet faint from exhaustion. His throat rasped as he spoke. “Tina… where… where am I?”


    He tried to shift, but his limbs protested, rigid and sore like rusted machinery. “Feels like I got steamrolled. Did you sneak in a few punches while I was out?” That familiar teasing tone nearly made Tina cry harder, equal parts irritation and relief washing over her.


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    Of all times, he still had the energy to joke.


    Still sobbing, she gently tapped his shoulder, barely making contact. “Seriously? I wouldn’t even waste the effort! You’ve been out forever—you scared the hell out of me!”


    ine suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit, each hack more intense than thest. Hisplexion flushed deeply, and he weakly reached toward her for support.


    Tina stared at her own hand, stunned. She’d barely touched him. No pressure at all. How could he react like that? rm surged through her chest. Her voice cracked. “Dr. Lawson! Please! Something’s wrong again!”


    Hurst, observing from nearby, nearly choked on augh. In all his days, he’d never seen anything this ridiculous. He threw up his hands. “I’m done. Goodbye.” And with that, he spun around and started to leave.


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