News from the Hospital

"Twenty thousand??"

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

Luca, who had been quite excited about Baymax's combat capabilities, felt his mouth twitch at these words.

No matter how wealthy the family was, this wasn't how money should be burned.

However, the experiments had actually reached a sufficient point.

Although it wasn't equipped with carbon fiber outer plating yet, aside from the slight deformation in movement caused by its inflatable design, it didn't really impact Baymax's actual combat ability.

After all, Baymax's own mechanical power was incredibly strong, and its carbon fiber composite skeleton possessed decent defensive capabilities.

Furthermore, the strength and output of its hands and feet were intentionally over-engineered, both for balance and to handle heavy lifting during nursing duties.

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

"Still, there are too many exposed wires and vital components on the frame. Relying on external armor is the only way to be safe. I wonder if those armor components will finish printing by the time I get back tonight."

"It's a pity. Even though I've imported action modules for firearm usage, Baymax's palms are too large. I'll need to have specialized weapons custom-made later."

In fact, Luca was already considering whether to use Baymax as a prototype to develop a line of pure combat bodyguard robots.

After all, while Baymax was certainly more refined for medical care, the medical equipment industry was deep and murky. His company lacked connections in that sector, and rushing into it could easily lead to a backlash.

"Hmm, all of that will have to wait until I have complete control of the company."

Just as Luca was thinking this, the company's bulletproof vehicle pulled up outside the villa's courtyard.

"Young Master, when shall we depart?"

"We leave now!"

New York, Brooklyn District, Wellhaven Hospital.

While this hospital didn't have the long history or the comprehensive excellence across all medical fields that Presbyterian Hospital possessed, it was absolutely at the forefront of the entire United States when it came to neurology and neurosurgery.

Otherwise, Luca wouldn't have specifically transferred his mother to this facility.

In the VIP ward, Shamira was discussing Gina's condition over the past two days with her attending physician.

Luca simply stood to the side, quietly watching his mother.

Although Gina was already in her forties, her exquisite features made her look more than ten years younger than her actual age.

Especially now, in her comatose state, the aura of the ruthless businesswoman she once was had vanished, replaced by a sense of stillness and fragility.

If one didn't know her true circumstances, it would be hard to imagine that she had once been a powerful female warrior on the chaotic battlefields of Sokovia, let alone believe she had managed to take down three Chitauri Soldiers before falling into a coma.

So, to go to such lengths for a cuckoo like me—if you knew the truth, you'd surely regret it, wouldn't you?

While Luca was lost in thought, watching Gina, Shamira's voice suddenly rose, drawing Luca's attention.

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

Shamira stared at the doctor with excitement, her hands hovering as if she wanted to grab his arm, but she held back, fearing her actions might be too abrupt, and instead kept clenching her fists in the air.

The attending physician, seeing Shamira's reaction, cast a subtle glance at Luca, who was also watching, before explaining with a hint of awkwardness.

"Er... it is only a possibility. Since several families with similar severe cases chose to forgo treatment, the hospital has communicated with the families and is preparing to form an expert panel to conduct experimental treatments on these patients."

"If the treatment is ultimately successful, perhaps Madam Orange could also receive effective care."

Luca's mouth twitched at this.

This so-called "expert panel experimental treatment" sounded impressive, but the actual keyword was "experimental."

Performing such procedures was even more complex and cumbersome than the process for signing up for organ donation.

Essentially, it was no different from conducting human experimentation. Under normal circumstances, no hospital would take such a massive risk.

"Does Dr. West know what the success rate of this experimental treatment is?"

Shamira asked the question. Although Luca had told her last night that it was possible to cure Gina, she clearly still viewed the hospital as the higher authority.

However, Dr. West became even more awkward when asked this.

"This, well... we have only just begun to assemble the expert panel. No one can determine the exact success rate yet. However, we will be inviting Dr. Stephen Strange and several other heavyweights in neurology to join the panel, so the expertise is guaranteed."

Hearing this, Luca's brow furrowed deeply.

When his mother, Gina, was first diagnosed, he had pulled strings to invite Stephen Strange, only to be flatly rejected without even getting a face-to-face meeting.

Why on earth had the man decided to wade into these muddy waters now?

He called it "muddy waters" because, judging by Dr. West's tone, this so-called expert panel didn't even have a treatment plan yet—it hadn't even been officially formed.

In such a situation, the probability of finding an effective treatment in the short term was extremely low. Added to the negative stigma of "experimental treatment," who could possibly have the influence to move that incredibly arrogant man?

One had to remember, before he became Doctor Strange, Stephen Strange was certainly no saint.

To protect his surgical success rate and his reputation in the medical community, he generally wouldn't even touch a surgery he deemed to have no chance of success.

Of course, given Strange's level of expertise, any surgery he deemed to have little chance of success could effectively be considered a "death sentence."

"So then..."

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

Luca stared at Dr. West without blinking, waiting for his answer.

Facing the young man's questioning gaze, Dr. West's eyes flickered slightly, though he soon regained his composure.

"I don't know. Even if I did, it wouldn't be something I could disclose to you."

Luca continued to stare at him for a moment longer before finally nodding with a calm expression.

"Thank you for sharing this information with us, Dr. West."

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

With that, Luca signaled for Shamira to see the guest out, then turned away, ignoring the man entirely as he pulled out the medical case containing Baymax.