Chapter 1385

It was clear they didn't believe her explanation. Roxanne glanced at Jack, hoping for help. He merely smiled, changed the subject, and said, "Regardless of our relationship, it won't affect your treatment. Next, please."

He didn't deny their assumptions, emboldening them. They looked at Roxanne and Jack with affectionate speculation. Realizing she couldn't change their minds, Roxanne dropped the subject, though she remained careful to avoid any further misunderstandings.

She consulted dozens of elderly patients, finding their ailments common and relatively mild. Relieved to find them better than expected, she was grateful their conditions weren't as dire as she'd feared. However, some were indeed in worse shape.

While examining an elderly man with rheumatic heart disease, Roxanne visibly slowed. He was old, childless. A heart attack... she couldn't bear to contemplate the consequences.

Noticing her distress, Jack approached. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Roxanne offered the man a reassuring smile, then whispered to Jack, "He has rheumatic heart disease. I'm afraid acupuncture won't suffice. Should we send him to the hospital?" At least there he'd receive proper care.

Jack frowned slightly, then smiled gently at the man. "Let me examine you as well." The elderly man, liking them both, readily cooperated.

Jack narrowed his eyes, carefully examining the man. Confirming the diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease, his expression grew somber.

"How is he?" Roxanne asked.

Jack, already holding his acupuncture kit, replied, "I'll use acupuncture. Watch closely. This is the Damaris family's ancestral needling technique, Root Thirteen—what I'll be teaching you this time."

As he spoke, Jack inserted a sterilized needle into the man's acupuncture point. Respect filled Roxanne's face. Like a student observing a master, she watched intently, studying his movements and the points he chose.

She'd heard of Root Thirteen from her professor. Even Harvey admired it, frequently praising it to her, piquing her interest. When she'd expressed a desire to learn it, however, he revealed it was a unique Damaris family technique.

At the time, overseas, she'd only known the Damaris family as elusive. Her professor's secretive demeanor had led her to wonder if the technique was even real. She never imagined the heir would one day teach her.

Her long-held admiration for Root Thirteen focused her attention completely on Jack's performance. He noticed, a subtle smile playing on his lips. He thought, She's as passionate about medicine as I thought. I may not be as skilled or have known her as long as Lucian, but I'm the only one who can help her improve.