Chapter 35: News from the Hospital

"Twenty thousand??"

"That's not much different from scrapping a piece of equipment in the lab..."

Luca, who had been excited about Baymax's combat capabilities, felt his mouth twitch upon hearing the price. No matter how wealthy his family was, this was no way to burn through money.

However, the experiment had reached a point where it was sufficient. Although the carbon fiber outer plating had not yet been installed—which, apart from the inflatable design causing slight deformation during movement, did not significantly hinder Baymax's combat performance—it was enough. After all, Baymax's internal mechanical power was already incredibly strong, and its carbon fiber composite skeleton offered decent defense. Furthermore, the hands and feet had been designed with excess strength and output, originally intended to ensure balance and to handle heavy loads during nursing tasks.

As it stood, Baymax was already an outstanding combat robot with a highly deceptive exterior.

'Still, the skeleton has many exposed wires and critical components. External armor is necessary for true security. I wonder if the armor components will finish printing by the time I get back tonight.'

'It's a shame. Even though I’ve imported motion modules for firearms, Baymax’s palms are too large. I’ll need to have custom weapons made later.'

In fact, Luca was already considering whether he should use Baymax as a prototype to develop a line of pure combat bodyguard robots. After all, while Baymax was certainly more mature in its medical nursing functions, the medical equipment industry was a deep pool. His company had no prior connections in that sector, and jumping in blindly could lead to a backlash.

'Hmm, all of that will have to wait until I have absolute control over the company.'

Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, a bulletproof vehicle from the company pulled up outside the villa courtyard.

"Young Master, when would you like to depart?"

"Let's go now!"

...

New York, Brooklyn, Wellhaven Hospital.

Although this hospital lacked the long history and comprehensive excellence across all medical fields found at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, it was undeniably at the forefront of neurology and neurosurgery in the entire United States. Otherwise, Luca would not have specifically transferred his mother to this facility.

In the VIP ward, Samira was discussing her condition over the past two days with Gina's attending physician, while Luca stood silently to one side, watching his mother.

Even though Gina was in her forties, her delicate features made her look more than ten years younger than her actual age. Especially now, in her comatose state, the aura of the iron-willed businesswoman had vanished, replaced by a sense of quiet fragility. If one didn't know the truth, it would be hard to imagine that she had once been a powerful warrior who held her own on the chaotic battlefields of Sokovia, let alone believe that she had managed to take down three Chitauri soldiers before falling into her current state.

'And so, you went to such lengths for an interloper like me. If you knew the truth, you would surely regret it, wouldn't you?'

As Luca stared at Gina in a trance, Samira's voice suddenly rose, drawing his attention.

"So, Dr. West, are you saying there is now a possibility of recovery for the Madam?"

Samira stared at the doctor with excitement, her hands hovering as if she wanted to reach out and grab his arm, though she held back for fear of being too intrusive.

The attending physician, seeing her reaction, cast a subtle glance at Luca before speaking with a hint of embarrassment.

"Er... it is only a possibility. Since several families with similar severe cases chose to discontinue treatment, the hospital, after communicating with the families, has decided to assemble a specialist team to conduct experimental treatments on these patients."

"If the treatment is successful, perhaps Mrs. Orange can also receive effective care."

Luca's mouth twitched. This so-called "specialist experimental treatment" sounded impressive, but the only keyword that mattered was "experimental." Performing such procedures was even more complex and tedious than the organ donation process. It was essentially no different from human experimentation, and under normal circumstances, no hospital would take such a massive risk.

"Dr. West, do you know what the success rate of this experimental treatment is?"

Samira asked the question. Although Luca had told her last night that there was a chance to cure Gina, she clearly viewed the hospital as the higher authority. Dr. West, however, looked even more uncomfortable being asked this.

"Well, this... the expert panel is currently just in the preparation stage, so no one can determine the exact success rate. However, we are inviting Dr. Strange and several other prominent figures in neurology to join the team; their expertise is guaranteed."

Hearing this, Luca frowned deeply. When his mother was first diagnosed, he had tried to invite Stephen Strange through intermediaries, only to be rejected outright without even getting a meeting. Why, then, would the man decide to get involved in this mess now?

He called it a "mess" because, by Dr. West's account, the expert panel didn't even have a clear treatment plan yet; it hadn't even been formally established. In such a situation, the probability of finding an effective treatment in the short term was extremely low. Added to the negative connotation of "experimental treatment," who could possibly have the influence to sway that incredibly arrogant man?

One had to remember, before he became Doctor Strange, Stephen Strange was hardly a saint. To maintain his surgical success rate and his reputation in the medical world, he usually wouldn't touch surgeries he deemed hopeless. Of course, given Strange's skill, if he felt a surgery had no chance of success, it was effectively a death sentence.

'So then...'

"May I ask, who proposed the formation of this expert panel?"

Luca stared unblinkingly at Dr. West, waiting for his answer. Facing the young man's piercing, questioning gaze, Dr. West shifted his eyes away before composing himself.

"I don't know. Even if I did, I wouldn't be able to disclose that to you."

Luca watched him for a few moments longer, then simply nodded calmly.

"Thank you, Dr. West, for informing us."

"Now, I would like to spend some time alone with my mother."

With that, Luca signaled for Samira to show the doctor out. He turned away, ignoring the man, and pulled out the medical case containing Baymax.