Calvin had just started examining the next patient when a soft knock came at the door. He looked up, surprised, and saw Tina standing in the doorway, her face a mix of professionalism and subtle concern."Dr. Hudson, I'm sorry to interrupt, but there are some people from the health department here to see you. They said it's urgent," she said quietly, glancing nervously at the patient in the room.Calvin's heart skipped a beat. The health department? His thoughts immediately flashed to the possibility that something had gone wrong with the reopening. He nodded to Tina and turned to his patient, a middle-aged woman with a persistent cough.“I’m terribly sorry for the delay. I’ll be right back with you in just a moment,” Calvin said gently, offering an apologetic smile. The patient nodded, though concern clouded her eyes.As Calvin stepped out of the room, he was greeted by the sight of two men waiting just outside the office. One of them was tall, with a stern expression and a neatly pr
As the door to the examination room clicked shut behind the last patient, Calvin finally allowed himself to collapse into his chair. The weight of the day bore down on him like a heavy blanket, his body screaming for rest after hours of nonstop work. He rubbed his eyes, trying to blink away the exhaustion that clouded his vision. Every muscle in his body ached, and his mind buzzed with fatigue. The clinic had been a whirlwind of activity, and now, all he wanted was a brief moment to catch his breath.Before he could fully sink into his much-needed rest, the soft sound of footsteps drew his attention. He looked up to see Lizzie approaching him, her face etched with a blend of concern and frustration. She moved cautiously, glancing around the room as if ensuring no one else was listening. Her usually vibrant eyes were dark with anger."Calvin," she began, her voice a low whisper that carried the weight of her emotions. She hesitated, as if searching for the right words, but the irritati
Calvin took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil churning inside him. His eyes briefly flickered shut as he struggled to push past the exhaustion that clung to him like a heavy shroud. Every muscle in his body ached, and the familiar hum of energy he usually relied on was now reduced to a faint whisper. Yet, as he opened his eyes, he knew he had no choice but to press on. James stood before him, his arms crossed with that ever-present air of entitlement, while the health department officials loomed in the background like silent judges.The room felt stifling, the pressure nearly suffocating. Calvin could sense James’ impatience, a tangible force that threatened to boil over. And with the health officials watching his every move, their expressions cold and unreadable, Calvin knew the stakes couldn’t be higher. James had influence—enough to jeopardize everything Calvin had worked for if he didn’t handle this situation perfectly."Alright, James," Calvin said, his voice steady despi
Calvin closed his eyes, allowing himself a brief moment to connect with the system that had become both his greatest asset and his hidden burden. Time was of the essence—he couldn’t afford to browse through the various options available to him. The pressing demands of the situation forced him to make a quick decision. He mentally commanded the system to exchange 1 point for stamina and energy, hoping it would be enough to get him through the next crucial moments.A wave of warmth surged through his body as the system responded with a clear, mechanical voice in his mind:[Exchange of 1 point for stamina and energy successful.]Immediately, the crushing fatigue that had threatened to overwhelm him began to lift. The heaviness in his limbs dissipated, replaced by a newfound vitality. The fog that had clouded his thoughts cleared, allowing him to focus sharply on the task at hand. It was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and he stood a little taller, more composed, ready t
The room was filled with a charged silence, punctuated only by the subtle hum of the clinic's equipment. The official’s eyes glinted with a malevolent satisfaction, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as he crossed his arms over his chest. His posture was rigid, every inch of him radiating an air of superiority and disdain."If you fail, Dr. Hudson," Mr. Roland Price declared, his voice dripping with menace, "I'll see to it that your clinic is shut down for good. No more appeals, no second chances. Your license will be revoked permanently. The end of your career, just like that."James, standing close beside Mr. Price, interjected with a tone that cut through the room like a knife. His eyes were cold and accusing as he addressed Calvin. "You made a promise, Calvin. One more treatment, and you said I'd be cured. Don't think you can dodge your responsibility now."Calvin’s face remained a mask of calm resolve, despite the immense pressure bearing down on him. He met James' inten
Calvin drew in a deep, steadying breath, his mind sharpened by the urgency of the task at hand. The weight of the moment bore heavily on him; this was the final phase of the treatment, and it demanded every ounce of his remaining strength and focus. He focused his gaze through his X-Ray vision, allowing his supernatural sight to penetrate James' skin and reveal the intricate, hidden structures beneath.Before him, the complex network of James' body unfurled in a vivid panorama of biological detail. Calvin's eyes honed in on the malignancy—a cluster of cancerous cells lodged in James' pancreas. They were a glaring, malignant blot amid the otherwise healthy tissue, their dark, irregular forms starkly contrasting against the vibrant, living backdrop. The cancerous cells were an ominous sight, their chaotic, disordered growth pattern visible with unsettling clarity. Calvin's X-Ray vision provided him with an almost surgical precision, illuminating the exact nature of the threat.He exhale
Once they were in the car, Lizzie sank back into the seat with a deep, grateful sigh. The softness of the leather against her back and the steady rumble of the engine beneath her were soothing contrasts to the chaos they had just left behind. The city lights outside flickered past in a mesmerizing blur, each one a small beacon of hope cutting through the encroaching darkness of their situation. Lizzie stared out the window, letting the familiar rhythm of the car’s movement calm her frayed nerves. The journey to the hospital was a crucial step towards safety, and she took solace in the thought that the bustling, always-active environment of Lang Hospital would offer a buffer against Han Xin’s men.She glanced sideways at Calvin, whose face was illuminated by the soft glow of the dashboard lights. Their eyes met, and in that fleeting moment, they shared a profound, wordless exchange. The silent communication between them was a testament to their deep sibling bond. They didn’t need words
The hospital lobby buzzed with activity, but for Lizzie, the crowd did little to ease the gnawing anxiety in her chest. She could feel it tightening like a coil, winding tighter with every passing minute. The harsh fluorescent lights cast a sterile glow over the room, and the faint scent of antiseptic lingered in the air. Every noise—every footstep, every voice—felt amplified, feeding her growing unease.Lizzie leaned closer to Calvin, her voice barely a whisper as she tried to keep her fear in check. "Cal, we can’t stay here too long. Han Xin’s men… they won’t just sit around waiting. They’re bound to have something planned."Calvin turned to look at his sister, his eyes meeting hers with a steady gaze. He could see the worry etched on her face, the way her brow furrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line. She was right. The longer they stayed in one place, the more exposed they were. The hospital might be bustling with people, but it wasn’t immune to the dangers lurking outside.