Karla couldn't hide her surprise. Honestly, she didn't expect Oakley's recovery to be this fast.
Dr. Pope, her mentor, seemed just as amazed. He peered at Oakley's face, turning his head toward Karla. “Oakley's wound is healing so quickly. Your ointment is really something. Where did you get it?”
"We asked a friend for help. The scar cream was handmade by a doctor," Karla said.
She paused for a second, then decided Dr. Pope deserved the full story. "The doctor who made it... he passed away not long ago."
Dr. Pope frowned, genuinely disappointed. "That's really unfortunate. Is there a formula or a recipe for it?"
He quickly shook his head, as if to clear up any misunderstanding. “I'm not looking to steal it. I just think it's a loss for everyone."
"If this scar cream ever came on the market, it could help so many people."
Felipa, standing behind Dr. Pope, crossed her arms and spoke up, her tone a bit skeptical. “Dr. Pope, isn't it possible there are steroids in that cream?"
Dr. Pope's expression darkened. "Felipa, what makes you say that?"
He gave her a firm look. "You can't just make accusations without evidence. That kind of talk only makes patients feel more anxious."
Felipa clearly didn't expect her mentor to side with the others. Her cheeks turned pink. “Dr. Pope, I'm just worried. The effect is almost too good. I mean, isn't it strange for a cream to work so well, so fast?"
She looked at Karla, a little defensive. "Karla said it's traditional medicine. But everyone knows herbal stuff usually takes longer to work. Isn't it reasonable for me to be suspicious?"
Felipa didn't appreciate Dr. Pope calling her out in front of strangers, but Dr. Pope just shook his head. “That's pure prejudice.”
He spoke calmly, but you could tell he meant every word. "A cream made entirely from traditional herbs? It almost never contains steroids."
He leaned back, folding his arms. "Actually, creams made with Western medicine are much more likely to have those ingredients."
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Dr. Pope continued, "This was made by a doctor who isn't even alive anymore It was never sold anywhere. Doesn't that tell you it wasn't made to make money? Why would anyone spike it with steroids?"
He glanced at Oakley, whose skin was clearly improving. "Oakley's been using this for at least a week. No bad reactions, and his scar keeps fading. It's just a really effective cream."
"As Oakley's manager, Karla would make sure of anything he uses. She'd never give him something harmful."
He looked back at Felipa. “So before you make comments like that, think them through."
Not every patient or family was as understanding as Oakley. One careless word from a doctor could start an argument-sometimes even a bigger scene.
And here Felipa was, practically fanning the flames.
Felipa seemed to shrink into herself. "Okay, I get it. I was wrong." She glanced at Oakley, hoping for support, but Oakley just ignored her.
Karla smiled sweetly. "Dr. Pope's absolutely right. And just so everyone knows-I already had the scar cream tested by professionals. There's not a single harmful ingredient in it. In fact Oakley's skin, looks even better than before, doesn't it?"
She let that hang in the air. Felipa finally stayed silent.
Dr. Pope examined Oakley a bit more, then nodded, clearly impressed. "If there's ever a way to get that formula, Karla, let us know. I'd love to see it manufactured. Our hospital would definitely buy it."
He still remembered a young woman he had treated. Her face was scarred from burns, and it had destroyed her confidence. If she'd had something like this cream, it could've changed her life.
Karla nodded. "I'll talk to my friend about it."
She didn't say yes... but she didn't say no, either.