The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 132
Leilani shook off his hand, took out her acupuncture kit from her bag, and spoke coldly. “Sit
still. Don’t move.”
Hale immediately sat up straight, obediently waiting like a scared child.
Leilani quickly inserted a few needles into his fingertips to release a small amount of stagnant blood, then placed needles into several pressure points on his back.
This time, intending to let Hale feel some pain so he would learn his lesson, Leilani didn’t hold back on the intensity. Hale grimaced in pain but didn’t dare make a sound.
Half an hour later, the treatment ended.
Leilani retrieved her needles, her tone stern. “If I find out you’ve been drinking or staying up late again, I’m dropping you as a patient. I don’t treat people who won’t listen.”
Hale nodded repeatedly. “Absolutely! I swear!”
Leilani couldn’t be bothered with him. She packed her things and prepared to leave.
Hale followed her closely to the door, looking pitiful. “Dr. Sloan, it’s so late. Should I drive
you?”
“No need.”
With the way Hale looked right now, she was afraid he would scare people on the street. Leilani walked toward the elevator without looking back.
Hale held onto the doorframe, unwilling to give up, and shouted, “Then… when is the next follow-up appointment?”
“Depends on my schedule. I’ll notify you.” Leilani pressed the elevator button, stared at him coldly, and dropped one last sentence. “If you mess around with your health again, don’t bother coming back. I don’t save people who are trying to kill themselves.”
Then the elevator doors closed.
But Leilani’s icy stare lingered in Hale’s mind. He touched his rash, which was already significantly less itchy, with lingering fear, and muttered softly, “Dr. Sloan is so fierce! But, even though she’s fierce… she’s really amazing.”
Just a few needles, and his rash had stopped spreading, showing signs of subsiding.
Leilani walked out of the residential complex, the night breeze brushing against her face. Only then did she remember the missed call from Milford.
She took out her phone, looked at the notification on the screen, and fell silent for a moment. Finally, she swiped the notification away and hailed a taxi.
172
18:54
Just as Leilani returned to Celestial Heights, the doorbell rang. She looked through the peephole and saw Marlon Watson.
Why was Marlon looking for her this late? Since the recovery banquet for Tilda, the matriarch of the Watson family, Leilani hadn’t seen anyone from the Watson family for a while.
Leilani opened the door.
“Dr. Cheney, sorry to disturb you so late.”
Marlon stood at the door in a sharp suit, but his expression was grave.
Leilani could tell he wasn’t here to catch up.
“Is something wrong?”
Marlon nodded, his tone sincere. “I have an elder acquaintance whose condition has suddenly deteriorated. The specialists are at their wits’ end. So, I would like to ask you to step in.”
Leilani frowned slightly. “What kind of illness?”
“I can’t explain the details clearly myself. I can only ask you to come with me, and a specialist will explain it to you there. But rest assured, you are a benefactor to our family. I wouldn’t put you in a difficult position. We just want you to see if there’s any possibility of saving him. Even if you can’t, they won’t give you a hard time.”
Marlon’s words were vague. Judging by his tone, this patient seemed to have a significant status. If even the Watson family had to be this cautious, Leilani felt this might be a thorny
issue.
She pondered for a moment. If it were anyone else, she might have declined. Given the special status of the other party, it meant she might not have one hundred percent freedom during the treatment and could face unexpected obstacles.
18:54
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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.