The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 131

“Dr. Sloan! Help me! Do I look like I’m beyond saving?”

Hale wailed on the other end of the video call. Although he looked terrifying, his voice was still full of energy, despite the pained expression on his face.

Leilani frowned. Hale’s condition had looked much better after the last treatment. How could it have suddenly become so severe again?

“Did you eat something you shouldn’t have recently?” Leilani began to question him.

Hale was different from other patients. He suffered from a rare chronic skin disease. He needed to maintain a bland diet and couldn’t eat indiscriminately. Moreover, while taking his medication, eating the wrong foods would neutralize the medicine’s effects, making the

treatment ineffective.

Hale’s eyes darted around evasively. “Uh… just, just normal food…”

His demeanor clearly suggested otherwise. Leilani let out a cold laugh. He had definitely failed to follow medical advice and had eaten something prohibited.

“Tell the truth.”

Seeing Leilani’s cold expression and rising anger, Hale instantly deflated. He didn’t dare hide it anymore and confessed honestly.

“…I went to a bar yesterday, had a few drinks, and ate some barbecue. I really followed your orders for a while, but yesterday I couldn’t get out of it, so I drank.”

Hale thought a sip or two would be fine. Who knew that tonight, everything would flare up aggressively? He was terrified.

This was Leilani’s first time dealing with a disobedient patient. Her emotional reaction was much more visible than when she was dealing with the Sloan family. She closed her eyes, suppressed her anger, and asked Hale to send her the address.

“Send me the location. I’m coming over now.”

Hale’s residence was an old-style townhome in the city center. The environment was quiet, and the interior was furnished elegantly. The bookshelves were filled with old books and art pieces. It didn’t look like the home of an edgy, immature young man at all.

The moment Leilani rang the doorbell, the door was yanked open. Hale stood there with messy hair, wearing only a loose T-shirt. His exposed arms and neck were covered in red

rashes.

The moment he saw Leilani, he acted like he was seeing his savior and immediately lunged forward. “Dr. Sloan! You’re finally here!”

10.5A

Leilani sidestepped to avoid his “hug” and spoke coldly. “Take off your shirt. Let me take a look.”

Hale paused, taken aback by the command to strip as soon as she arrived. He hesitated. “That… that’s not very appropriate, is it?”

Leilani kept a poker face. Hale’s failure to take his medicine properly had annoyed her. She didn’t look as easygoing as she did back at Pure-Spring Clinic; her entire demeanor had

hardened.

“I am the doctor, you are the patient. If I tell you to take it off, you take it off. Cut the

nonsense.”

With her cold expression, Leilani had an imposing presence. Hale laughed dryly and obediently took off his shirt.

Leilani carefully examined the rash on his back and chest, her frown deepening.

“You didn’t just drink; you stayed up late too, didn’t you?”

Hale lowered his head guiltily. “…I only stayed up for three days.”

Leilani took a deep breath, forcing down her rage. “Hale, didn’t I say that during treatment you must watch your diet and keep a regular sleep schedule?”

Hale shrank his neck back and whispered, “You said that…”

“So, my words just went in one ear and out the other?” Leilani’s tone was icy. “Acupuncture

can only relieve symptoms. A cure depends on you. If you can’t even manage the most basic dietary restrictions, don’t come to me in the future.”

Hale panicked instantly and grabbed her wrist.

“Dr. Sloan! I was wrong! I promise to watch my diet from now on! Please save me. This rash is itchy and painful. I really can’t stand it anymore!”

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Olivia Harris

Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.