"What bad luck! Such awful luck—it's ruined the reputation of our Feazer Medical Clinic!"
Holbrook showed no mercy. He grabbed a broom and started sweeping it toward Bernard and the others as if chasing off flies. As he swept, he muttered under his breath, full of disdain.
Bernard and the others immediately darkened.
This old man held a grudge. And once offended, he was difficult to appease.
"Miss Linch, I sincerely apologize for our rudeness. And this gentleman… may I know your name, sir?" Bernard asked awkwardly, dodging Holbrook's broom.
He turned to look at John, only now realizing he didn't even know the man's name.
But John didn't even glance at him. He simply turned to Tracy and said, "Second Sister, I'll leave the rest to you."
Then he walked out of Feazer Medical Clinic.
He ignored Bernard entirely.
Bernard flushed with embarrassment but didn't dare show a hint of anger. After all, they had been the ones to offend the two medical masters in the first place.
All he could do now was apologize again and again, hoping to demonstrate sincerity.
Jasper stepped forward as well. He bowed deeply and said, "Miss Linch, this is all my fault. Please forgive my ignorance."
Tracy frowned and said coldly, "You can leave now."
Though her words were curt, her heart was soft. Seeing them apologize so earnestly, she couldn't bring herself to say anything harsher. She just wanted them gone.
Bernard and the others felt a deep bitterness.
In the past, they had gone to great lengths to find hidden medical masters—and failed.
Now that they had finally found two, they had managed to offend both.
Their regret was indescribable.
Seeing Tracy had no desire to speak with them further, Bernard turned to Holbrook with a forced smile. "Holbrook, for the sake of our long-standing friendship, could you please put in a good word for us with Miss Linch?"
"What was that? What did you say?"
"I said… for the sake of our long-standing friendship—"
"Don't even start with that," Holbrook interrupted. "I don't know you. And besides, I'm not a member of your so-called Traditional Medicine Association anymore. You'd better leave quickly and stop interfering with my cleaning."
Without even looking up, Holbrook continued sweeping—right onto Bernard's expensive shoes.
The corners of Bernard's mouth twitched. "Holbrook, how can you say that? We've always reserved the vice president's position in the Association for you, but you've never accepted it."
Holbrook sneered. "I'm sorry, I don't deserve it. Your Association is so powerful—how could a small fry like me fit in?"
"Holbrook—"
"Get lost! Do you want me to beat you with this broom next?"
Bernard could only force a bitter smile. He finally gave up and left with Jasper and the others—for now—so as not to further wear out their welcome.
They could only wait until Holbrook and the others had cooled down.
The next day.
Tracy was performing acupuncture on a patient when she heard Holbrook shouting outside.
She frowned, wondering what that old man was up to now.
She stepped out of the treatment room and saw a short man standing at the entrance.
It was the Australian man—the same one who had volunteered as an acupuncture model the day before.
After a night's rest, he looked mostly recovered.
Tracy's tone turned cold. "Why are you back again?"
The moment he saw her, his eyes lit up. He smiled brightly and said, "Miss Linch, I'm here to learn from you."
His speech was much smoother than his teacher Jeff's.
Tracy frowned. "Learn from me? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, no. I'm fine. I was so impressed by your acupuncture skills yesterday—I've come to learn from you," he said earnestly.
"Did your teacher agree to this?" Tracy asked suspiciously.
He grinned. "Ha, that old man? His skills are so poor, he's not qualified to be my teacher. You're the only one I admire."
"I'm not your teacher," Tracy said flatly. "Your behavior yesterday was disgraceful. I refuse to take you as my disciple. You'd best go back to Jeff."
"Miss Linch, don't be so heartless. I'm sincere!" the Australian man pleaded.
Holbrook snapped, "Hey, you bastard! Can't you understand her words? Get out of here now! Or do you want to taste my broom again?"
He raised his broom threateningly.
The Australian man shot Holbrook a fierce look, but then turned back to Tracy. "Miss Linch, please think it over. I'll wait for your answer."
Then he walked out of the clinic.
But he didn't go far.
Instead, he sat down on a stone bench right outside the Feazer Medical Clinic, clearly intending to wait for her to change her mind.
Holbrook fumed. "That guy really needs a beating!"
"Let it go, Dr. Davis. If he wants to sit there, let him. Just ignore him," Tracy said with a shake of her head. She didn't take it seriously. She figured he'd give up and leave once she paid him no attention.
But to her surprise—
He didn't leave.
He stayed. All day.
Even when Tracy was getting ready to close up shop for the evening—
He was still outside.
What patience.
Holbrook muttered, "Miss Linch, I think this guy may have other intentions. It's not safe for you to go home alone. How about I walk you back—or have your teacher pick you up?"
Since he lived in a different direction from Tracy, he was genuinely concerned that this weird man might do something sinister after hours.
Tracy thought for a moment, then said, "I'll call my little brother."
She dialed John and told him about the situation. He chuckled and replied,
"So the guy really wants to learn from you? Interesting. I'd like to see whether he's after your medical skills… or something else entirely."