Chapter 75: Private Consulting Room

Picking up her son from the nurses’ station, Amanda Vance held his small hand as they walked to the hospital cafeteria. "I’m sorry," she said. "Mom was so busy today, I didn’t have much time for you."

Felix Ford shook his head. "It’s okay, Mom. You have to work."

He was hiding something. He desperately wanted to know about the child she had mentioned. He couldn’t shake the feeling they had been talking about him, but from his mother’s tone, it seemed something had happened to that child.

He couldn’t make heads or tails of it, and he didn’t dare ask her directly. There was probably only one person he could ask about this.

Thinking of Jean Vance made Felix Ford hesitate. He now knew he didn’t like Jean, and he definitely didn’t want Jean with his mother. If he went to school, would Jean make them switch back?

His small hands twisted together, his eyebrows knitted into a knot. When Amanda came back with their food, she saw her son’s grim and troubled expression and couldn’t help but find it a little amusing. She pinched his chubby cheek. "What’s wrong? What are you thinking about?"

Hearing her voice, Felix Ford looked up at her, opened his mouth, then shook his head. "Nothing."

’It might be good to get a clear answer, though,’ he thought.

’At least I know Mom wants me.’

’There’s just some kind of misunderstanding.’

He absentmindedly picked at his food. Amanda glanced up at him from time to time. When she saw him lift a bite of food toward his nose, she sighed and rested her forehead in her hand. She took his chopsticks, not trusting him to eat by himself anymore, and decided to feed him instead. She also took a napkin to wipe his face, but she didn’t press him with questions.

She knew he wouldn’t tell her even if she asked.

"Ahh, open wide."

His hands suddenly empty, he heard her words and opened his mouth before his brain could even process it. He felt the food being placed in his mouth and chewed mechanically. It took a moment for him to snap out of it, his big, round eyes staring intently at her.

He knew he couldn’t avoid it.

’I might as well just go ask him directly and get this cleared up.’

With this in mind, he suddenly spoke up. "Mom, I want to go to school tomorrow."

"Are you feeling better?"

Felix Ford nodded. "Uh-huh, I’m all better."

It hadn’t been serious to begin with—just an acute fever. He hadn’t had a temperature since that night. She knew this illness was more of a sickness of the heart, which also explained his current dazed state.

She didn’t know the specifics, only that it had something to do with someone at school.

Since he was willing to face it now, she certainly wouldn’t stop him. She nodded. "Okay, Mom will take you tomorrow."

"Okay." Felix Ford gave her an obedient smile, but it seemed a bit forced.

After he finished eating, Amanda Vance wiped his mouth, cupped his small face in her hands, and bent down to meet his gaze. "Don’t be afraid. Mom’s here."

His little hands at his sides twitched. Felix Ford sniffled and nodded. "Okay."

In the afternoon, Amanda continued seeing patients. Before leaving for the day, she checked Mr. Ford’s pulse, went over a few things to keep in mind, and then left.

Samuel Ford had offered to see her out, but she politely declined.

She was leaving work, not visiting his home as a guest. There was no need for him to escort her.

Samuel Ford didn’t insist. "In that case, Dr. Vance, would it be convenient to give me your phone number? That way, I can reach you if there’s an emergency."

’That’s true.’

Amanda Vance gave him her number directly. "Just call me if anything comes up. My phone is on 24/7."

"Great. See you tomorrow, Dr. Vance."

"See you tomorrow."

After nodding to Mrs. Ford, Amanda Vance turned and walked out.

The school was closer to the hospital than it was to her house. The next day, Amanda dropped him off first. She watched until he disappeared from sight before heading to the hospital.

’I wonder if he’ll be a little better today.’

It wasn’t time to start work yet, so Amanda first went to Mr. Ford’s room to check on him. When she arrived, she saw Samuel Ford washing his father’s face. His movements were meticulous and gentle, clearly mindful of his father’s comfort.

’I didn’t realize he was so attentive.’

’I thought he would just hire a nurse to do all this and be done with it.’

She watched for a moment, and only after he finished did Amanda walk into the room.

Samuel Ford had just taken the towel to the bathroom when he turned and saw her. He paused for a second, then gave her a slight nod. "Morning."

"Morning." Amanda stepped forward to take Mr. Ford’s pulse. While she did, Samuel put the towel away and returned, watching her expression. "How is he?" he asked.

"Not bad. He’s quite stable for now. You can give him the medicine I gave you yesterday in a little while. It’s for replenishing his qi and blood, which will quickly address his body’s depletion. The subsequent treatments will go more smoothly once his physical condition improves."

"Okay."

She had already gone over everything else yesterday. After checking his pulse, Amanda had a clearer picture of his condition. Seeing that Mr. Ford was awake, she said to him, "For today, just focus on getting some good rest. I’ll come back tomorrow to give you acupuncture."

Mr. Ford blinked and whispered, "Thank you."

His mouth was a little crooked, making his speech unclear, but Amanda understood him. She shook her head. "You’re welcome."

When she returned to her consultation room, she found the director was there as well. Seeing her, Director Jacobs looked over. He had a strange, almost incredulous look in his eyes.

Amanda was confused. Then she heard Mr. Lynch say, "Amanda is the real deal. You know Ford’s situation—she’s the one who saved him."

Mr. Ford was the hospital’s most important patient, so Director Jacobs was naturally well aware of his condition. Not long ago, they had held a specialist consultation regarding his case. The conclusion was that if he had another episode, his life would be in grave danger.

He had been out for a meeting yesterday and had only just returned. When he heard Mr. Ford had had an episode, his heart sank. He only breathed a sigh of relief when he learned the patient had been saved.

He had originally assumed Mr. Lynch was the one who’d handled it and had come to talk to him. He never would have imagined that the one who saved the patient was Amanda.

’Didn’t they say she only studied for two years in university? How could she be even more skilled than Mr. Lynch? Did I hear that wrong?’

The director still looked completely unconvinced, even suspecting that Mr. Lynch was pulling his leg.

Seeing this, Mr. Lynch huffed. "Fine, don’t believe me. But let me tell you, Amanda’s skills are more than enough for her to have her own practice. If you don’t treasure a talent like her, you’ll be kicking yourself when another hospital snatches her up."

Of course, it was good to treat patients anywhere. But if their hospital had such a skilled doctor, it would be a great source of pride for him as the director.

And Mr. Lynch didn’t seem like the type to joke around.

The director considered this and was now about seventy or eighty percent convinced. After he went to see Mr. Ford for himself, he was completely convinced.

’So she really did treat him.’

He couldn’t help but call the old headmaster to ask about Amanda’s situation. How could someone so young be so skilled?

"...What’s wrong with being young? Can’t young people be brilliant?" The old headmaster didn’t like the sound of that. "Besides, who told you Megan only studied for two years? She was devouring medical texts long before that. At school, she studied late into the night every day. She’s smart and she’s a hard worker. Why shouldn’t she be brilliant at a young age?"

After hearing this, Director Jacobs was completely persuaded. He could hear the anger in the man’s voice and knew he was defending a favorite junior. He quickly apologized, then added with a laugh, "Professor, you’ve really sent me a treasure."

’Mr. Lynch is already incredibly skilled, and now here comes Amanda, who’s even more capable and can even handle acute cases. Things are about to get lively in the Traditional Chinese Medicine department.’

Imagining the scene, the director couldn’t help but smile again.

’Mr. Lynch was right. I have to get her a private consultation room. A talent like this can’t be held back.’