Chapter 87

Rowan's actions left everyone stunned.

“No way! Dustin knows Dr. Cross? How is that possible?!”

“Oh my goodness, Dustin is incredible! He even made Dr. Cross apologize?”

Everyone exchanged shocked glances, observing Dustin's calm expression and the respectful look on Dr. Cross's face. They found it hard to believe someone they considered mediocre knew someone like Dr. Cross.

“Are my eyes playing tricks on me?” Florence was incredulous. The great Dr. Rowan Cross, the best doctor in the world, was apologizing to Dustin? Unbelievable!

“Could it be that Dustin's Hexanavir really was a gift from Dr. Cross?” Dahlia was equally shocked. To be honest, since the divorce, she'd noticed Dustin had become more discreet.

“What a nuisance!” Matt muttered gloomily. Dr. Cross's appearance had disrupted his plans.

“Sir… You really know this guy?” Ross asked incredulously, cradling his face.

“Know him? Mr. Rhys is my savior! You've got some nerve! How dare you disrespect Mr. Rhys? Hurry up and kneel! Apologize to him!” Rowan roared, slapping Ross twice more.

“I'm sorry. I was the one who didn't recognize my master's savior. Please forgive me!” Ross quickly knelt before Dustin, his arrogance gone.

“Mr. Rhys, this failure of an apprentice made a grave mistake. Please don’t pay any mind to what he says. Of course, if you need to vent your dissatisfaction, you may punish him as you see fit. I’ll take responsibility even if you hit him to death!”

Rowan's words shocked the injured doctor, who trembled in fear. He realized he'd messed with the wrong person. If Rowan didn't go easy on him, he was dead.

“I don't need to punish him. I just hope you will be stricter with your apprentices so they don’t ruin your reputation, Dr. Cross,” Dustin said gently.

“Of course, of course,” Rowan agreed, nodding. “I will make this one reflect on his behavior. If he doesn’t change his ways, I’ll kick him out!”

“That’s your decision,” Dustin added.

“Failure! Hurry up and thank Mr. Rhys for being so forgiving!” Rowan roared.

“Thank you, Mr. Rhys, for your kindness!” the doctor knelt.

“That’s enough. Get up,” Dustin waved him away.

“Mr. Rhys, it’s been so long since we last saw each other. Do you have some time for a meal with me?” Rowan asked.

Hearing the invitation, everyone was excited. What an honor to share a meal with Dr. Cross! Even the elites of Millsburg had to make reservations to meet him.

“Dammit! This Dustin guy really hit the jackpot!”

“I know, right? To get on Dr. Cross's good side, he must have a great life ahead of him.”

They were jealous. Dustin's reply to the esteemed doctor shocked them further.

“I don’t have the time right now. I’ll let you know when I’m free,” Dustin replied.

“He rejected Dr. Cross? The guy who got kicked out of the Nicholson family rejected an invitation from the great Dr. Cross? Did I hear that correctly?” everyone questioned.

“Oh, okay. I can always make time for Mr. Rhys.”

No one expected Rowan's response. He wasn't angry; he was even happier. Dustin hadn't explicitly rejected him, meaning Rowan still had a chance.

“Mr. Rhys, you’re busy. I won’t waste more of your time. Goodbye,” Rowan said tactfully, shaking Dustin’s hand. He dragged his apprentice by the ear and left.

After they left, the ward was in an uproar. They looked at Dustin in surprise.

“Dustin, how do you know Dr. Cross?” Dahlia asked.

“I helped him once, so he owes me a favor,” Dustin said bluntly.

“Just like that?” Dahlia was shocked.

“What else is there?” Dustin replied.

“So that’s how it is,” Dahlia trailed off.

Everyone else sighed in relief. They'd thought Dustin had curried Rowan's favor using mysterious means; it turned out he was just lucky.

“Humph! So what if you helped him once? You just got lucky! What’s so special about that!”

“He only owes you a favor. He already gifted you a bottle of Hexanavir, and now he’s saved your reputation. The next time you ask him for help, he won’t comply!”

“We should stand on our own two feet. You shouldn’t keep seeking out others for help. After all, it won’t last forever.”

Knowing the truth, the crowd made sarcastic comments. They still couldn’t accept that Dustin could be better than them.

“Dustin, thank you for what you did earlier,” Dahlia mumbled awkwardly. She never thought Dustin would know Dr. Cross. He even cured her grandfather's illness. Reflecting on her actions, she felt guilty.

“You don’t have to say anything. Saving Granddad was my decision. It had nothing to do with you,” Dustin replied.

Dahlia's gratitude vanished. She frowned, thinking, “I already expressed my gratitude. What else does he want? Should I apologize to him in front of everyone? Does he need to be so particular?”