As the taxi pulled up to the clinic, the headlights washed over the building’s modest facade, casting long shadows across the sidewalk. The clinic stood in a quiet part of town, its large windows darkened, and the sign above the entrance barely visible in the dim light. Calvin quickly paid the driver and helped Lizzie out of the taxi. She winced slightly as she put weight on her still-sore ankle, but Calvin’s earlier healing had done its job—she could walk, albeit carefully.The night air was cool, and the silence of the deserted street pressed in around them, amplifying their every movement. Calvin scanned the area one last time before guiding Lizzie to the clinic’s front door. His fingers fumbled slightly as he unlocked it, his nerves still on edge from the chase. Once inside, he closed the door behind them and quickly turned the lock, the soft click of the mechanism sounding unnaturally loud in the stillness.Lizzie looked around the darkened clinic, her breath coming out in shallo
As the first light of dawn filtered through the blinds, casting a soft glow across the clinic's interior, Calvin stirred from his uneasy sleep. He sat up abruptly when he heard the unmistakable sound of a key turning in the front door lock. His heart raced as the tension of the night before surged back to the forefront of his mind. For a brief moment, panic gripped him—had their enemies found them already?He quickly stood up, careful not to disturb Lizzie, who was still resting on the cot. But just as he moved toward the door, it swung open, and to his immense relief, it was not an intruder but Tina, his trusted employee. She stepped into the clinic, her expression one of mild surprise when she saw Calvin already inside."Dr. Hudson?" Tina said, her eyebrows raised in curiosity. "I wasn’t expecting you to be here so early. Did you stay the night?"Calvin let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding and smiled at Tina. "Good morning, Tina. Yeah, I had some things to take care of
As the sun climbed higher into the sky, casting golden rays through the clinic’s windows, the hum of life outside grew steadily louder. Calvin stood by the large front window, rubbing his temples to push away the last vestiges of fatigue. He hadn’t slept much, and the events of the past few days still weighed heavily on him. But when he glanced outside, his tiredness was momentarily replaced by disbelief.A line of people stretched far down the street, their faces filled with a mix of hope and impatience. Families with children, elderly couples, and individuals of all ages were eagerly waiting for their turn. The sight was overwhelming—Calvin had anticipated a modest crowd, but nothing like this.Tina, standing by the front door with her hands full of paperwork, followed his gaze. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene. “Dr. Hudson, look at that line! I didn’t think we’d have such a crowd. The phones have been ringing off the hook since early this morning.”Calvin nodded, still try
As the day wore on, the clinic remained a whirlwind of activity. Calvin, Tina, Lizzie, and the rest of the staff worked seamlessly together, tending to the endless stream of patients. Despite the busy atmosphere, Calvin couldn’t help but feel a growing unease. Something was off.Between examining patients and reviewing charts, Calvin’s sharp eyes began to pick up on small details. A few men had been lingering around the waiting area for too long. They seemed out of place among the sick and injured. While most patients were anxious or impatient, these men appeared unusually calm, their gazes sweeping across the clinic as if they were taking everything in.Calvin’s instincts kicked in, a cold knot forming in his stomach. He made sure not to let his concern show as he moved through the clinic, but his mind was racing. Could these be Han Xin’s men? He had hoped they wouldn’t find them so soon, but perhaps it was inevitable. Trying to push down the rising tension, Calvin focused on finishi
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