Chapter 111

Lawler shot a quick look at Claire. He didn’t want to say anything too blunt with her standing right there.

“We really should bring in someone with more experience in traditional medicine p>

Claire heard him, but she didn’t react. Honestly, his hesitation made sense. There’s that old saying, you can’t trust someone who’s too young and inexperienced. She knew she looked young. It was normal for people to doubt her.

Barry just shook his head. “No need to get someone else involved p>

“Claire’s acupuncture has been spot-on. There’s no reason to look for anyone new p>

Lawler fell quiet. He still didn’t agree, but even he knew there was no changing his mentor’s mind now.

Barry turned to Claire. “So, Claire, do you feel confident about working with us p>

He’d been waiting to ask her. Barry was genuinely interested in seeing if traditional and Western medicine could work together to treat bone cancer. He wanted to try something new, even if it was a big risk. But besides Claire, he’d also have to convince the patient’s family. It didn’t matter how good the treatment was if the family wouldn’t agree.

Of course Claire wanted to work with a big name like Barry. Still, she hesitated.

“I’d love to work with you, Dr. Barry, but I have a lot of classes. My schedule’s pretty packed, so I might not be able to help much p>

Lawler stared at her in disbelief. Was she really turning down an opportunity like this for school? Didn’t she realize how valuable hands-on experience was for someone in medicine? Or was she just making excuses?

It wasn’t a crazy thought—her answer really did sound like she was brushing them off.

Barry looked surprised too. He frowned, thinking it over. “Which university are you at? And what’s your major? Maybe I can talk to your professors and arrange something p>

Claire hesitated, kind of at a loss for words.

“Not Apex Traditional Medicine University? Then maybe Apex Medical College p>

Barry figured she was just shy. There were only two medical schools in Apex. The medical college didn’t have the best reputation, but it wasn’t like they didn’t have good students. He wouldn’t judge her for that.

Claire shook her head. “Neither. I’m actually still in high school, so my classes keep me really busy p>

The room went silent.

Barry stared at her like he’d misheard. He glanced at Lawler.

Lawler looked back at Claire, his eyes wide and full of shock. “You’re still in high

school?” He looked like he just couldn’t process it.

Claire couldn’t help but laugh at his expression. “Is that a problem p>

Lawler was absolutely floored. “That’s a huge problem p>

“You’re a senior in high school. How

shouldn’t

can you just”. He couldn’t even finish. Treating be something a high schooler did.

“It was an emergency,” Claire said, reading his mind. “I had to step in p>

Lawler was at a loss for words and turned to Barry for help.

But Barry just looked at Claire with

even more interest. He thought she had serious potential she was calm, mature, and didn’t panic under pressure.

He couldn’t help asking, “Claire, did you start learning traditional medicine when you

were little? Who was your teacher p>

“I did start young. My teacher was an old neighbor,” Claire replied simply.

“Your teacher must have been

amazing, Barry said, hoping Claire could troduce him. If Claire was busy with school, maybe her teacher could help instead. It seemed like a reasonable idea.

Claire shook her head. “My teacher passed away a while ago p>

Barry looked genuinely sorry. “I’m so sorry to hear that p>

“It’s alright,” Claire replied softly.

Barry thought about it for a moment, then decided to invite her anyway. He said he’d work around her schedule.

“But will this get in the way of your studies? You’ve got your college entrance exams coming up soon p>