"Claire, what brings you to Cabinda?"
What?
Sloane thought she was hallucinating.
Why was her strict grandfather acting so warm and affectionate toward Claire?
The realization that he never spoke to her with that kind of doting tone made a sour feeling twist in her stomach.
"Dr. Sterling," Claire greeted him with a bright smile. "I took my university entrance exams this year. I'm here for college."
Dr. Sterling studied her approvingly. "In the blink of an eye, you're already in university. Time really does fly."
Sloane was panicking internally. Why were they catching up like old friends? She interrupted them again, completely oblivious to the mood. "Grandpa, you know Claire?"
He never showed this much patience to the younger generation.
"Claire is a junior at your school?" Dr. Sterling picked up on the phrasing.
"Yes," Claire nodded, offering no further explanation.
It didn't really matter whether she went to Sloane's school or not.
"That's wonderful." Dr. Sterling's admiration for Claire was painfully obvious.
He suddenly remembered something and fixed her with a pointed look. "You haven't abandoned the skills Hale taught you, have you?"
When Claire was just fifteen, she had utterly stunned Dr. Sterling.
Now that she was older, assuming she hadn't dropped her study of traditional medicine, she had to be even more formidable.
"I haven't. How could I ever drop it?" Claire chuckled.
The older doctor was endlessly amusing.
"Good. As long as you haven't lost your edge, Hale's legacy is safe in your hands."
An idea struck him, and he pointed a finger toward Nolan and Julia.
"Those two foreigners are here seeking medical help. Go check the girl's pulse."
"See what the problem is."
His casual command made Sloane's jealousy spike.
Who exactly was this Claire?
Her grandfather completely ignored her, yet he was ordering Claire to diagnose Julia.
Did he really think she was inferior to some freshman?
"Dr. Sterling, I actually know her. I've already examined her before."
"Her heart condition is severe. She's undergone several surgeries, but her health is rapidly deteriorating."
"I believe alternative medicine is the
only way to extend her life. Putting her through the trauma of more surgeries won't do her any favors."
*High
"Did you use acupuncture to stabilize her in an emergency?"
Dr. Sterling stroked his chin, quickly piecing together why the wealthy siblings were so desperate to find her.
If they hadn't witnessed a successful intervention firsthand, they never would have believed it.
Few Westerners ever placed their faith in Solenia's traditional medical practices.
Claire nodded gracefully. "Yes. I ran into Julia while attending the IMO."
"She was in critical condition. If I
hadn't stepped in..." Julia et
have survived long enough to hear the ambulance sirens.
Claire rarely showed off her skills.
But standing back in a life-or-death situation went against every ethical fiber in her
body.
She intervened to save a life, not to cure the disease.
Guiding Julia to seek treatment in Solenia was also a calculated move.
Claire hoped it would foster stronger economic ties between the Ford family and her country.
It was a win for Solenia.
After all, the Ford family controlled an empire of cutting-edge technology.
To save their only daughter, they would be willing to make significant concessions.
Dr. Sterling was the perfect conduit for this.
He had the ear of the highest authorities in the nation.
If he took the lead, facilitating a high-level technology transfer would be a breeze.
Claire didn't view it as manipulative.
Looking out for her country was simply ingrained in her nature.
Dr. Sterling didn't fully grasp the immense leverage the Ford siblings represented
just yet.
But once he connected the dots, he would undoubtedly realize just how brilliant Claire truly was.
Was it really that she couldn't cure Julia?