Chapter 101

Claire took the golden needles from Jennifer and nodded, her voice steady. “Let me do some acupuncture for Daniel first. We need to get his condition under control p>

If he kept coughing up blood like this, he might not make it.

“Okay, please,” Jennifer said, her hands shaking as she stepped back, afraid to touch her father.

Claire didn’t waste a second. Her movements were quick and sure, and she handled everything on her own. Soon enough, Daniel looked like a human pincushion, needles sticking out everywhere, but at least the coughing had stopped for now.

Chrystal packed up their things and called for a driver. Together, they carefully got Daniel to the hospital.

Daniel’s regular doctor had already been notified, but he was out of town at a conference and couldn’t get back. Instead, he sent one of his best students to handle the checkup.

The attending physician was a senior doctor with a great reputation. He’d assured the family that his student was more than capable until he could return.

That student, Dr. Lawler, worked at the same hospital. He looked to be in his early thirties, confident and competent. But the second he saw Daniel bristling with needles, his face twisted in disbelief.

“Who did this? Seriously, who thought this was a good idea?” he demanded.

“The patient already had the needles in when he arrived,” a nurse replied quickly, trying to calm him.

“Where’s the family?” Lawler’s expression was all business.

The nurse looked over at Jennifer and the others. Chrystal stepped forward first. “Dr. Lawler, hi. I’m Daniel’s daughter p>

Lawler turned to her, frown deepening. “Why would you let someone stick needles in a patient in this state? He’s already in serious condition. What if something goes wrong? Who’s going to take responsibility p>

Chrystal was at a loss. She looked to Jennifer, hoping for backup.

Jennifer cleared her throat and spoke up. “My father was in a lot of pain and coughing up blood, so I asked a traditional medicine practitioner to help stabilize him p>

Claire glanced at Jennifer, a bit surprised she was taking all the responsibility onto herself.

Lawler let out a short, humorless laugh. “You’re telling me you called in traditional medicine for an emergency? I’m not saying there! aren’t a few talented people out there, but most of them are just after their own fame p>

“And since when can traditional medicine handle emergencies p>

“That’s honestly the funniest thing I’ve heard all week p>

He looked completely unimpressed, his face full of skepticism.

Jennifer felt her anger rising. She shot a worried look at Claire, silently hoping she wouldn’t lose her temper and cause a scene.

But Claire just stood there, calm, not saying a word, her gaze steady on Lawler.

Jennifer hurried to defend her. “But after the acupuncture my dad really did get better. He stopped coughing up blood, and the pain eased up. Isn’t that what matters p>

Lawler shook his head, clearly not buying it. “Pure luck, nothing more p>

Jennifer was about to argue but Lawler cut her off. “Where’s this so-called practitioner? She needs to take these needles out right now p>

Claire finally spoke, her voice cool and clear. “It’s not time yet. The needles have to stay in a little longer p>

That’s when Lawler actually looked at her — and he seemed a little taken aback. She was beautiful, but he didn’t let it distract him.

“What do you mean, it’s not time? Are you the one who did this p>

He sounded doubtful. Claire looked way too young for something like this.

“Just to clarify, these are golden needles,” Claire replied. The set she used was the one Hale had taught her with, marked with the Carter family crest, passed down through generations.

Hale had never married, never had kids, so he’d handed the golden needles to his favorite student, hoping she could carry on the Carter family’s legacy.

Lawler paused, thrown for a second. Alright, golden needles p>

“But whatever they are, I need you to take them out now. I have an examination to run. Don’t get in my way p>