But in reality, Mary was quite pleased.
She just felt a slight twinge of jealousy. "I was the one who gave you your start in medicine, yet you use traditional techniques far more often than conventional ones."
Claire wrapped her arms around Mary's neck. "I just use whatever tool works best for the job, don't I?"
The older woman was easily pacified.
There was no real reason to be upset anyway.
She should be happy for her old neighbor, knowing that Claire had truly inherited his legacy.
As for herself, there were plenty of people studying conventional surgery these days, and no shortage of medical geniuses among them. She wasn't going to force her granddaughter down that path.
"Then I'll leave it in your capable hands, Claire," Dr. Duncan said, absolutely delighted.
He wasn't opposed to traditional medicine; he only studied conventional medicine because he believed it was the best way to save lives.
But traditional medicine wasn't something just anyone could master.
To put it bluntly, without natural talent, a person wouldn't even be able to take a pulse to confirm a pregnancy.
If someone like that opened a clinic, they would only end up as a quack.
One wrong move, and it would be a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Because Dr. Duncan held no prejudice against traditional medicine, he was more than willing to accept Claire's treatment plan.
Plus, he had been in the operating room and witnessed Claire assisting Mary firsthand. He knew better than anyone just how brilliant this girl, mentored by two legendary doctors, was destined to become.
Building a good relationship with her now was definitely the right move.
Dr. Duncan had also asked Barry about her, and upon learning that Claire was involved in a bone cancer research project, his admiration for the young woman skyrocketed.
Claire went home and got a good night's sleep. Because she had plans with Lawler, he was waiting at the entrance of her neighborhood bright and early.
Only, Claire had driven her own car out to meet him.
Lawler was momentarily confused.
He assumed that since he was inviting her, he would drive, and she could simply ride along.
Wasn't driving yourself exhausting?
As someone who constantly worked overtime and pulled all-nighters, he wasn't particularly fond of getting behind the wheel.
"I brought my car. Do you still want to take yours?" Lawler asked her.
Claire replied, "I prefer to drive myself. I like having my hands on the steering wheel."
"Besides, what if you end up staying. in your hometown for a few extra days? have things to do this afternoon, so i'll need to head back to the city."
Lawler thought about it and realized she made a great point.
He had purposely chosen the weekend to bring her down, so it was highly likely he would stay overnight.
He also wanted to host Claire properly at his house and have her help talk some sense into his father.
But if Claire had business in the afternoon, it made perfect sense that she would need to head back early.
"That works. You really thought of everything."
Lawler honestly hadn't thought that far ahead.
He gave Claire a thumbs-up.
He figured girls just had a keener
eye for detail Even though het
was young she knew exactly
handle herself.
The drive to the town took about two hours, which wasn't too far.
The Lawler family originally ran a traditional medicine shop in the town.
But ever since his wife's passing, Silas Lawler had stopped managing the shop entirely.
The person seeing patients now was Silas's junior colleague, a man who had been an apprentice to Lawer grandfather
Their first stop upon returning was the medicine shop.
Simon Vance's eyes lit up with pleasant surprise when he saw him.
"Lawler, you're back?"
Lawler nodded. "Simon, where's my dad?"
In the past, Lawler would only come back once or twice a year, and he always had a
cold look on his face.
The last time he visited was for visiting the cemetery in the spring.
To have him ask about his father the second he walked through the door was
something Simon had never expected.
"Your dad is in the courtyard drying herbs."
Ever since his wife died, Silas had stopped taking patients, but he still prepared the
medicinal herbs by hand.