The loudest complaints came from a sharp dressed middle - aged man who clearly had some pull in the Wade family . As soon as he spoke up , the others followed his lead , trying to shove past Brandon at the door to get inside . Briar might've looked absorbed in her phone game , but she was fully aware of the noise outside . The noise was getting on her nerves . She paused the game , glanced at Griffin , and noticed his face had more color now . The acupuncture was doing its job . Even the military doctors who had doubted her at first had gone quiet . They didn't want to get caught in the middle of anything . Everyone knew Griffin's body was worn out , and his age didn't help either . The best most people could do was keep him alive a little longer . Briar saw how the crowd was reacting and muttered to Ashton , " It's too noisy . He needs peace . " Ashton wasn't known for his patience to begin with , and the only reason he hadn't exploded already was because he was worried about his grandfather . He didn't know much about medicine , but after dealing with Griffin's condition for so long , even he could tell the treatment was working , So when Briar said the word , he gave Brandon a nod . Brandon didn't waste a second - he cleared the room and pushed everyone back out into the courtyard . Finally , things went quiet again . An hour would go by quickly , but Briar had no interest in awkwardly staring at the others . She kept her head down , focusing on her game instead . The cheerful game music and occasional gunshots helped Briar relax . She leaned into the chair , totally chill . Ashton couldn't take his eyes off her . In all his years , he'd never met anyone - especially not a teenage girl - who acted this calm and unbothered in front of him . It made him even more curious about who she really was . Briar could feel his intense stare , but she didn't say anything . She always kept her work and personal stuff separate . Sure , she'd shown up partly because Ashton was easy on the eyes , but now that she knew Griffin had once been close with Tristan , she had to take it seriously . After all , Tristan barely called anyone a friend . Briar knew she had to do her best to help , or Tristan would never let her hear the end of it . About twenty minutes later , she shut off her game and walked over to Griffin . She checked his pulse , looked at his face , and nodded to herself before pulling out the needles . Then she glanced at her watch . " It's working , " she said . " He should wake up in about half an hour . " Honestly , the results were even better than she'd expected . At this rate , Griffin might wake up even earlier . Ashton didn't say much , but his expression changed . His eyes lit up - this was the best news he'd gotten all day . Outside the door , the Wade family had been waiting , listening in . When they heard what Briar said , they started laughing again , still thinking she was full of it . They couldn't wait for the moment Ashton tossed her out . They were convinced she'd made a fool of herself . The doctors looked uneasy . It was the first time they'd just stood by and done nothing while Griffin was in a coma . Half an hour later , the people waiting outside couldn't hold back any longer - they pushed past Brandon and stormed in . When Arlette saw Griffin still lying there , eyes shut , she thought she had her chance . She snapped with a smug tone , " Ashton , it's been thir and he's still out cold . What now ? Are you finally ready to admit this girl is a fraud and let us have her arrested ? " She acted like she had the moral high ground , but after being kicked out by Brandon earlier , she didn't actually dare lay a finger on Briar . utes , Chapter 5 The whole room tensed up . All eyes were on triar r game and beating the final enemy . Their she calmly did it into her parked But Briar didn't even flinch . She tapped her phone one last time , finishing her stood up , met Ashton's gaze , and spid , " What's the rush ? He's already waking up . " The doctors were closest to the bed . They immediately turned to Griffin , and sure enough , his eyelids started to twitch before slowly opening He still looked a little dazed , his old eyes stiff and unfocused , but he was definitely awake , just like Briar had said . Ashton rushed over , leaned in , and said softly , " Grandpa , you're awake ." Griffin's eyes moved slightly . He gave a faint nod and let out a low hum . The room fell into stunned silence . Everyone This girl , even without a license , had done what the top military doctors in all of Dasmieca couldn't . Ashton finally let out a breath of relief . " Miss Jennings , thank you . I mean it . " Briar stayed as laid - back as ever . Her face didn't show much emotion as she stood there and said casually , " No big deal . But just because he's awake doesn't mean he's in the clear . The pill will only last about a month . Without regular acupuncture , he'll fall back into another coma . " Then she looked at Ashton , her eyes cool and sharp with just a hint of playfulness . " So yeah , you should find a doctor who knows acupuncture . Soon . " Of course , she was being a little dramatic on purpose- -just to keep them on their toes . Ashton gave a small , refined smile . " Miss Jennings , didn't you say you could fully cure my grandfather in a week ? Would you consider staying and continuing the treatment ? " Briar glanced at the stunned Wade family , then gave a dry , sarcastic smile . " Me ? Aren't I just some shady girl with no license and a sketchy background ? You guys should look for someone more qualified . Maybe even try tracking down Tristan . " If Tristan ever found out his old friend had been sick for this long , he'd definitely show up in Shoneport and raise hell . Ashton shot a cold look at the Wade relatives . One by one , they lowered their heads , too scared to speak . Ashton's anger cooled a little . He turned back to Briar . " Miss Jennings , please stay and treat my grandfather . I'll add another 3 million dollars to your payment . And take this as a personal favor - I owe you one . If you ever need anything , just say the word . " As for finding Tristan , Ashton would keep looking . But he was like a ghost , and Griffin's condition couldn't afford to wait . Right now , the best choice was standing right in front of him , and Ashton wasn't about to let her go . AD Comment Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!