As the old saying goes, when a man is lustful, the answer is when he is hanging on the wall.
For various reasons, these so-called authorities in traditional medicine across the U.S. had completely ignored Tracy up to this point.
So when Holbrook introduced Tracy and stated bluntly that she was his master, the room fell into stunned silence.
Bernard, furrowing his brows, was the first to speak. "Dr. Davis, now is really not the time for jokes."
"President," Holbrook replied with a bitter smile, "I'm not joking. Miss Linch is truly a rare genius in acupuncture."
He didn't repeat the word master aloud, but the implication hung heavily in the air.
If these people were to witness Tracy's needle techniques firsthand, Holbrook was certain they'd be floored by her ability.
The group once again turned their scrutinizing eyes toward Tracy, confusion written all over their faces.
Tracy responded with a gentle nod. "Dear colleagues, I was fortunate enough to learn a few unique acupuncture methods. So, perhaps I do have a slight edge when it comes to acupuncture."
Her tone was humble.
But instead of easing their doubts, her modesty only made their expressions even more suspicious.
A few unique acupuncture methods?
Everyone in the room knew that extraordinary acupuncture techniques—those rare, mysterious needle arts—were fiercely guarded secrets, often lost to time. Even in medical lineages that had lasted for centuries, a single advanced technique was considered a treasure. For a young woman to claim she had learned a few? It bordered on absurd.
Bernard's expression grew visibly displeased.
They had traveled from the Traditional Medicine Association in search of a hidden master—an expert who could elevate their reputation. And this… was not what they expected.
Had they made a mistake?
Worse yet, had they been tricked?
Jasper looked the most offended. He wore his distaste like a badge.
Once hailed as the "Genius of Acupuncture," Jasper had been a rising star in the field until a few years back when some scandal had tarnished his reputation. Even so, his talent remained undisputed.
And now Holbrook, in front of everyone, was saying this girl was even more gifted than him?
It was hard not to take that personally.
Jasper sneered. "Miss Linch, if I may… how old are you?"
"Twenty-five," Tracy answered plainly.
"Twenty-five… Ha!" He laughed coldly, shaking his head with exaggerated disbelief. "Heh…"
That one "heh" was enough to drip with disdain.
The idea that a twenty-five-year-old woman could be a magic doctor was a joke to him.
Tracy blinked, then frowned slightly.
She could clearly feel the contempt radiating from Jasper—the same man she had once admired during her university days. Her disappointment cut deep.
If he had any decency, he would have at least let her demonstrate her needlework before sneering.
The cold arrogance of someone who bore the title "Master of Acupuncture" yet couldn't show basic courtesy—it was disheartening.
Her enthusiasm for this gathering faded. All she wanted now was to wrap up the conversation and be done with them.
Watching this unfold, Holbrook's face twisted with rage. He wished he could slap Jasper right then and there.
What the hell made Jasper think Tracy couldn't be a genius doctor at twenty-five?
His own master had been younger than that—and already unmatched.
If Jasper knew the truth, he'd be ashamed enough to throw himself off a building.
But Holbrook managed to contain himself. Barely.
He turned to John, waiting for his reaction.
John, however, was as calm as still water.
He'd expected this.
After all, even he had been questioned, doubted, and humiliated when he first started treating patients. Youth always drew suspicion.
A highly skilled doctor emerging at such a young age was, understandably, hard to believe—unless you'd lived through the kinds of extraordinary experiences John had.
To be accepted by these traditional medicine elites, Tracy would have to showcase her unmatched skills.
Just as John thought that, Bernard finally spoke again.
"Miss Linch, it's not that we doubt you out of spite. But to claim you've mastered multiple extraordinary techniques at your age is… difficult to believe. Would you be willing to demonstrate your ability?"
John silently approved. Yes, make them eat their words.
But to his surprise, Tracy's face turned cold. She shook her head.
"I'm sorry," she said calmly. "My medical skills exist to heal, not to perform. I have no need for your approval, and whether or not you believe me is entirely irrelevant."
The room fell into stunned silence.
John was taken aback—but only for a moment. He quickly understood what had changed.
Jasper's arrogance had poisoned the atmosphere.
Tracy had likely looked forward to exchanging knowledge and techniques with these seasoned elders. She respected them.
But being treated with such condescension—especially by someone she once idolized—had crushed that hope.
In situations like this, there were typically two kinds of people.
One would rise and make a statement by force, smashing arrogance with undeniable proof. John was that type. If he were in Tracy's shoes, he would've gone on the offensive and humiliated them in return.
Tracy, however, was different.
She was gentle, indifferent to fame, and uninterested in clashing with egos. She had only taken on the title Magic Doctor of New York to encourage professional exchange and learning.
Had these men been humble, respectful even, she would have happily demonstrated her techniques.
But Jasper's sneer—the disdain behind that single word "heh"—had ruined everything.
Now, she had no interest in associating with them or their Traditional Medicine Association.
At that moment, Jasper scoffed again. "Mr. Luker, I believe our visit to New York has been a complete waste of time. We should leave early. I have patients waiting for me back home who actually need acupuncture."
"Stupid and ignorant—will it kill you to shut up for once?"
Holbrook exploded, beard quivering with fury.