The Head of the Board cleared his throat, cutting through the tension that filled the room. "Mr. Hudson," he began, his voice steady and authoritative, "are you admitting that you cannot perform a diagnosis at this moment? This would substantiate the claims against you, indicating that you are indeed a fraud."Calvin felt a lump in his throat as his heart pounded. His mind raced, weighing his options. Admitting defeat now would mean the end of everything he had worked for. Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady his voice. "I'm not feeling well at the moment," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "I need more time. I promise I will prove my abilities in front of everyone."Kevin Lang seized the opportunity, his voice dripping with contempt and mockery. "This is pathetic," he sneered. "He's just buying time because he knows he can't do it. Head of Board, I urge you to make the decision now. He should be permanently barred from practicing. He's a disgrace."Lionel Lang leaned forward
Calvin drove home, his mind a whirlwind of frustration and anxiety. Every event seemed to conspire against him, and the absence of his amulet only intensified his helplessness. The thought of who might possess the amulet and what they might do with it gnawed at him, adding another layer of worry to his already overwhelming stress. His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he navigated the familiar streets, each turn bringing him closer to home but offering no solace from his turbulent thoughts.Pulling into the driveway, Calvin took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He turned off the engine and sat in the car for a moment, letting the quiet of the evening wash over him. The house stood still and silent, a stark contrast to the chaos in his mind. With a sigh, he got out of the car and walked to the front door, his steps heavy with the weight of the day.As he entered the house, Calvin immediately noticed something unusual. Lizzie was seated on the floor in the living room, h
Calvin pulled up to the airport on the outskirts of the city, the dimming light of the evening casting long shadows across the tarmac. The sense of urgency between him and Lizzie was palpable as they hurried out of the car and into the terminal. The airport, a modest structure compared to the bustling international hubs, was relatively quiet, with only a few travelers scattered around.Inside, Calvin and Lizzie made a beeline for the ticket counter. The woman behind the desk looked up as they approached, her expression a mix of curiosity and professionalism."We need the earliest flight to Tarius," Calvin said, trying to sound composed despite the nervousness in his voice.The clerk tapped on her computer, her fingers moving quickly over the keys. "Let me check the schedule... There's a flight departing in two hours. Would you like to book it?"Calvin glanced at Lizzie, who nodded in agreement. "Yes, please. We'll take it."As the clerk processed their tickets, Calvin’s mind raced. Ta
After several hours in the air, Calvin and Lizzie finally touched down in Tarius, Barrion. As they stepped off the plane, the weight of their mission pressed heavily on them, their anxiety palpable. The scene before them was one of organized chaos. Aid from various countries was being sorted and distributed to makeshift tents that served as shelters for refugees and the wounded.Calvin looked around, taking in the makeshift tents and the hurried movements of aid workers. Lizzie stood beside him, her expression one of concern. "We need to get back to Bacca from here," she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "But I don't know how we're going to do that. The distance between Tarius and Bacca is still quite far."Calvin thought for a moment, then a spark of an idea lit up his eyes. "I have an idea," he said, his tone resolute. He approached a nearby aid worker, who was busy organizing supplies. "Excuse me," Calvin said, trying to catch the worker's attention. "I have medical knowledg
Calvin and Lizzie finally arrived at the main camp. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of urgency and exhaustion as volunteers and aid workers moved swiftly to unload the patients and transfer them to more adequate treatment areas. Lindsay, with her dark brown hair tied back and her sharp eyes focused, immediately took charge, directing the flow of people and resources with practiced efficiency."Everyone, we need to get these patients to the medical tents immediately," Lindsay called out, her voice carrying over the noise of the camp. "Let's move quickly and carefully."Calvin and Lizzie joined the other volunteers, helping to lift stretchers and support those who could walk. The sight of the severely wounded weighed heavily on Calvin's heart. The injuries ranged from shrapnel wounds to severe burns, each one a stark reminder of the brutal conflict between Han Xin and Barrion. The casualties of power struggles and territorial disputes lay before him, suffering and vulnerable.As t
The next morning, the sun cast a soft, golden glow over the camp as Calvin and Lizzie resumed their work at the main treatment center. The air was filled with the sounds of hurried footsteps, hushed conversations, and the occasional cry of pain from a patient. Calvin moved with purpose, his hands deftly cleaning and dressing wounds, checking vitals, and offering reassuring words to those in distress. His skill and efficiency were apparent, and it didn't take long for Lindsay to take notice."You're really good at this," Lindsay remarked, her voice cutting through the ambient noise as she watched Calvin expertly tend to a deep laceration on a young man's arm. Her dark brown eyes, sharp and discerning, fixed on him with a mix of curiosity and admiration. "Are you a doctor?"Calvin hesitated, the question hanging in the air for a moment. He glanced at Lizzie, who was busy comforting a small child nearby, then shook his head. "No, I just know how to do this. I've had some training and exp
As the convoy rumbled through the war-torn landscape of Barrion, Lizzie turned to Calvin, her eyes wide with fear. The moonlight flickered through the shattered windows of the truck, casting eerie shadows on her face. "Calvin, I'm really scared," she admitted, her voice trembling like a fragile whisper against the growl of the engine.Calvin squeezed her hand reassuringly, his grip warm and steady. "Don't be afraid, Lizzie," he said, his voice a steady anchor in the chaos around them. "We have to do this. It's for what we believe is right. We're going to find the answers we need," he said firmly, trying to instill confidence in her.Lizzie nodded, trying to draw strength from his words, but then shook her head slightly, her expression still troubled. "It's not just that," she whispered, glancing around to make sure no one else could hear. The shadows seemed to dance with her anxiety. "Since we've been back in Barrion, I can feel the power of my amulet growing stronger. I'm scared that
As soon as Calvin and Lizzie stepped into their old house, the distant sound of footsteps and vehicles shattered the silence. It was a patrol of Han Xin soldiers. Calvin and Lizzie quickly ducked inside, their hearts pounding in unison. The familiar walls, now shrouded in dust and decay, offered a haunting sense of refuge. Unfortunately, one of the soldiers decided to check Calvin's old house. They couldn't afford to be caught.Calvin tensed up, his ears straining to pick up the rumbling engines and the clatter of boots drawing nearer. "That's a Han Xin patrol," he whispered, his eyes wide with controlled panic.Lizzie felt her blood run cold. "We have to hide," she said, her voice trembling but firm. They quickly scanned the room, searching for a hiding spot in the house they once knew so well.Calvin pulled Lizzie toward an old wardrobe in the corner of the room, its door half-broken and covered in thick dust. "Here," he said, opening the wardrobe door and helping Lizzie inside. The