Chapter 105

His mentor’s voice was gentle but firm. Lawler couldn’t say the words hadn’t made him think. Still, his resistance to traditional medicine was deep.

“Professor, it’s not that I don’t see the value in traditional medicine. I just can’t believe it could actually change the course of life and death. Western medicine works the fastest. Daniel is already in the late stages of bone cancer. One acupuncture session isn’t going to save him p>

“Lawler.” Barry’s interruption was sharp, his tone more serious than usual. “I don’t care why you have your doubts, but traditional medicine has survived in Solenia for generations. It stands right alongside Western medicine p>

“I want you to remember, traditional medicine isn’t useless. It can exist with Western medicine. Both can move forward together p>

“I looked at the photos you sent me. I don’t know much about traditional medicine, but I can see that this doctor’s acupuncture made a difference p>

“I’m finishing up my meetings tonight. I’ll fly back to Apex early tomorrow. I want you to reach out to this doctor for me p>

“Tell her I’d like to discuss what comes next for the patient p>

It was already late, and their conference would probably run until ten. There was no way Barry could make it back tonight. He’d have to wait until morning.

Lawler was caught off guard. “Professor, weren’t you planning to stay a couple more days?” These conferences were a rare chance for experts to learn from each other, and Barry was a top specialist in bone cancer. Plenty of doctors wanted his advice. The organizers would never let him leave so soon.

Barry shook his head. “Talking to this traditional medicine doctor might help us find a better way to treat bone cancer. Lawler, this could be our breakthrough p>

“Don’t underestimate this doctor p>

Barry sounded genuinely excited. He’d never gone down this path before, but he was willing to try.

Lawler still didn’t quite buy it, but he couldn’t say no to his mentor.

“Lawler, I know you don’t trust traditional medicine, but you can’t turn your back on any chance to help a patient p>

With his mentor’s words hanging in the air, Lawler could only agree. “I’ll go find her now, Professor p>

Chrystal was in the patient’s room, keeping an eye on things. She was half-asleep when Lawler walked in and blinked in surprise. “Dr. Lawler? What are you doing here so late?” She thought he was being extra careful, checking in even after the emergency had passed.

Lawler hesitated, not sure how to ask.

Chrystal was quick to pick up on his mood. “Is something wrong?” Her mind jumped straight to her father. Was his stability just a brief calm before the end?

“It’s… Could you give me the contact information for the traditional medicine doctor you brought in p>

Chrystal was confused. She remembered how little Lawler seemed to think of Claire.

Seeing her uncertainty, Lawler explained, “My mentor wants to talk to her p>

Barry himself? Chrystal caught on fast. “I’ll check for you p>

“Thank you.” Lawler nodded and stepped out quietly.

Chrystal wasted no time and called Jennifer right away. She could tell from Lawler’s voice that Barry and Lawler saw things very differently. Maybe she and Lawler had been too harsh. Maybe traditional medicine actually worked.

Jennifer was almost home, driving Claire and Pandora back. When her phone rang and she saw Chrystal’s name, her heart skipped a beat. She immediately worried that Daniel’s condition had taken a turn for the

worse. Why else would Chrystal be calling again so soon?