When Calvin nodded at Tina, she went to the front door and passed out numbered tickets to the crowd streaming out of the waiting room. "Take a number and wait your turn," she said, cutting through the sound of the crowd. "We will start seeing patients at nine o'clock. Thank you for your patience."The patients were relieved, thankful to have some semblance of order amidst the rush. As Tina began distributing the tickets, Calvin went back inside, where his staff were already making last preparations, almost scurrying with enthusiasm."I need to ensure we are prepared to handle this number," Calvin briefed his team. "This has to be carried out fast and with cool heads. After all, we are here to serve as many as possible."Then, just as quickly, the surprise dissolved away, and the staff got back to work. They were suddenly setting up more seating in the waiting area, making sure that all necessary medical supplies were at hand. The small space of the clinic took on a frazzled bustle of
Kevin Lang frowned at the screen of his television set, watching the feature news story on the opening of the new clinic by Calvin Hudson. Elongated lines of patients snaked through opened doors and poured from one picture to another, and the bustling activity had all the surrounding streets jammed. The voice of the reporter, filled with admiration, contrasted sharply with the eerie silence that reigned throughout all the corridors of the Lang Hospital.Kevin felt his fingers tighten on the remote, his knuckles turning white. "How does such a small-time healer outshine us with our state-of-the-art facility?" he muttered.The simmering anger rubbed itself against the racing thoughts he was having. Quite suddenly, that spark of inspiration was ignited deep within, born from the frustration in his head. He wouldn't let Calvin Hudson outdo him at his own game. A sly smile curved his lips as he picked up his phone. Very calculatedly, he pressed the following number and planned his next mov
Calvin took a deep breath as he entered his private meditation room. Dimly lit and filled with the subtle scent of incense, the room was a sanctuary. Anticipation buzzed within him, a mix of excitement and responsibility. Granted two new levels of cultivation, he knew mastering them was essential for helping those who sought his aid.Sitting cross-legged on the cushion, he closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. Gradually, the world faded, and he delved deep into his core where his cultivation energy resided. The familiar warmth of his powers—the ability to solidify air, move objects from a distance, and see through matter—was there. But now, new depths awaited him.Concentrating, he felt the first surge of new energy. His mind expanded, and he became acutely aware of every detail in the room—the flicker of the candle flame, the hum of the air conditioning, the rhythmic beating of his heart. This was Enhanced Perception. He could see, hear, and feel with overwhelming intensity.
Calvin received his last patient for the day. The hours had flown by, and now it was already late into the night. A man entered, his face etched with worry. "Good evening, Doctor. I’ve been having trouble breathing at night," he said, his voice tinged with anxiety."Please, have a seat," Calvin responded, gesturing to the examination chair. As the man sat down, Calvin began his scan, his powers allowing him to examine the man's body in intricate detail. He focused, scanning for any abnormalities, but found nothing seriously wrong. Aside from some minor issues like occasional acid reflux and signs of sleep deprivation, the man appeared to be in good health.Calvin's brow furrowed as he finished the scan. "You’re healthy," he said, meeting the man's eyes. "There's nothing in your body that should be causing severe breathing problems. Are you sure you’re not leaving anything out?"The man, whose name tag read "Daniel," looked taken aback. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I... I did
Calvin walked through the clinic, thanking each member of his staff for their hard work. "Make sure you all get enough rest," he reminded them. "Don't forget to stick to your shifts."One of the nurses, Emily, looked at him with concern. "Dr. Hudson, we've all been rotating our shifts, but you've only taken two short breaks all day. Aren't you exhausted?"Calvin smiled, though fatigue was evident in his eyes. "I am tired, but I'll be fine. Thank you for your concern. I'll see you all tomorrow."As Calvin left the clinic, he got into his luxurious car, the interior a comforting blend of leather and modern technology. As he drove home, the memory of Lizzie from the previous night surfaced in his mind. Her body floating above her bed, bathed in a strange green light, had been alarming. Calvin knew he had to make sure she was truly okay.He dialed Lizzie's number, holding the phone with one hand while steering with the other. The phone rang a few times before Lizzie picked up."Hey, Lizzi
In the middle of the night, Calvin woke up abruptly, thoughts of Lizzie still swirling in his mind. He quietly got out of bed and tiptoed to Lizzie's door, pressing his ear against it to listen for any unusual sounds. There was nothing but the gentle rhythm of her breathing. He sighed in relief and returned to his room, his mind racing with plans to find a way to temporarily take the pendant from Lizzie.Calvin lay awake for a while, thinking about the pendant and its potential dangers. He needed a good reason to ask Lizzie for it without alarming her. Eventually, sleep claimed him again, though it was a restless and uneasy slumber.The next morning, Calvin awoke to the smell of breakfast cooking. He got up and went to the kitchen, where he found Lizzie bustling about, looking healthy and cheerful. The sight of her well-being brought a smile to his face and a sense of relief to his heart."Good morning," Calvin greeted, his voice still groggy from sleep."Good morning, big brother," L
Calvin nodded, though inside he was seething. "Of course. I’ll do whatever it takes to get this sorted out."As the health inspectors began their work, Calvin stepped aside, pulling out his phone to call Tina. "Tina, we have a situation. The Department of Health is here, and we need to comply with their inspection. Please tell all the patients that we are closed for today. Can you ensure all the staff are prepared and have all our documentation ready?"Tina's voice was steady. "Got it, Dr. Hudson. I'll handle everything on my end."Calvin hung up, taking a deep breath. He glanced at the crowd, still being held back by security. Among the faces, he spotted a man who seemed oddly familiar. It was Daniel, the man who had pretended to be a patient the previous day. Calvin's eyes narrowed. He had a feeling this was no coincidence.Determined to clear his name and keep his clinic open, Calvin knew he had to play by the book and cooperate fully. He approached Cynthia again. "Is there anythin
Calvin's heart sank, a heavy weight settling in his chest, but he maintained his composure. "May I see the email?" he asked calmly, though his voice held a slight tremor. Cynthia handed him the tablet, her expression a mix of professionalism and sympathy. Calvin took it, his eyes scanning the official message. Each word seemed to blur into the next, but the gravity of the situation was unmistakable. Someone had acted swiftly and decisively to undermine his practice."There's got to be a mistake," Calvin said, handing the tablet back to Cynthia. "These licenses were all valid and properly obtained. There must be some misunderstanding." Cynthia nodded, though her demeanor remained stern. "I understand your frustration, Mr. Hudson. However according to this email, you need to close your clinic until you can regain the proper permissions. There’s nothing we can do about it right now."Calvin felt a surge of frustration but knew arguing wouldn't help. He took a deep breath, trying to stead