Chapter 1006: Expecting Someone Else
After some time, Roxanne asked concernedly, "Do you feel any discomfort?" The boy shook his head. He felt nothing except when the needles were inserted.
Only then was Roxanne relieved. She waited a while longer before removing the needles. Seeing this, the boy sat up and asked naively, "Ms. Jarvis, am I healed?"
A sharp pang struck Roxanne's heart. "No," she said gently. "We'll need to continue monitoring you. Remember to take care of your health and avoid strenuous exercise, okay?"
The boy nodded. Roxanne then prescribed some traditional medicine, incorporating several of Jack's suggestions after careful consideration. Once this was completed, the boy took the prescription and went to find the staff responsible for dispensing the medicines. A wave of sadness washed over Roxanne as she watched him go.
Perhaps it was because the consultation had gone so well, and the boy's illness wasn't too severe, but Roxanne still felt a pang of sympathy for him. An ordinary child would have parents to care for them if they knew of their condition. But this child was an orphan... Without this consultation, he would have...
Just as sorrow threatened to overwhelm her, Jack's voice came from behind. "Don't worry," he said. "Follow-up treatment from my family's clinic is free. We'll continue monitoring his condition until he's recovered."
Roxanne turned, offering a grateful look. "Thank you to your family on the boy's behalf," she said.
Jack chuckled heartily. Composing himself, he raised an eyebrow at the remaining gifts by the wall. "What are you going to do with those?"
Following his gaze, Roxanne grabbed the bags. "Please wait," she said. "I'll distribute these to the other children."
Jack nodded patiently. As soon as Roxanne stepped out of the tent, the children's cheers erupted. Jack smiled; he'd anticipated their enthusiastic reaction to her.
An employee approached, handing Jack a folder. "Mr. Damaris, this is the log for today's consultations. Please review it."
Jack accepted the folder and had just opened it when a phone rang. He saw Roxanne's phone flashing on the table; they'd placed their phones there for convenience earlier, and she'd forgotten it.
Smiling at the employee, Jack walked to the table and looked at the phone. The caller ID displayed Lucian's name. He raised an eyebrow and glanced at the tent entrance. The children's cheers continued, punctuated by Roxanne's laughter. She was clearly enjoying herself and wouldn't be back soon.
Jack retracted his gaze and answered the phone. Lucian didn't speak immediately, so Jack remained silent. After a moment, Lucian's deep voice filled the air. "What are you doing?"
As if startled back to awareness, Jack replied in a slightly exaggerated tone, "Mr. Farwell? Goodness, I was expecting someone else. Why didn't you say anything? What is it? Do you need something from Ms. Jarvis?"
A heavy silence descended. Although Jack said nothing more, his expression might have been easily misinterpreted. Only their breaths were audible through the phone, a tense standstill. Neither spoke, nor hung up.