Chapter 222 Derrick's Outburst
"Dr. Wheeler!" James exclaimed, taken aback by the older doctor's resolute action.
The room buzzed with astonishment. Everyone stared at Edwin, their faces etched with a mixture of disbelief and apprehension. Edwin, despite his age, was a pillar of the traditional medicine community, his mind as sharp as ever, his presence a source of comfort and strength. Even the most renowned doctors in the room, though loath to admit it, felt a twinge of inadequacy in his presence.
The news that he was relinquishing his place to James, a young man with unconventional methods and no formal training, sent a ripple of panic through the room. With Edwin at the helm, they had a sense of security, a belief that even in defeat, their honor would remain intact. But without him, they felt exposed and vulnerable.
The weight of responsibility now fell on their shoulders, and the prospect was daunting.
Derrick, his face contorted with a potent cocktail of rage and betrayal, trembled with barely suppressed fury. His own grandfather, his own flesh and blood, had chosen an outsider over him. The injustice of it all was unbearable to him.
'Why? Why did James, this interloper, this upstart, garner such unwavering faith from his grandfather?'
'I had strived for his grandfather's approval his entire life, only to be outshone by a man who seemingly appeared out of nowhere.'
After thinking about It, he lowered his head; the pain was a bitter pill to swallow.
James, caught in the crossfire of emotions, felt the weight of expectation settle upon him like a physical burden. Edwin, a man who had dedicated his life to traditional medicine, was placing his hopes, his dreams, in his hands. The realization was both humbling and terrifying.
"Dr. Wheeler, please reconsider!" A chorus of voices rose in unison, their earlier defiance replaced with a desperate plea.
"You are the heart and soul of our team! Without you, we are lost!"
"This exchange is crucial! We cannot afford to lose, not again! Please, Dr. Wheeler, don't abandon us!"
The senior practitioners, their faces etched with anxiety, surrounded Edwin, their pleas growing more desperate with each passing moment. Even Octavius, his pride momentarily forgotten, looked visibly concerned.
But Edwin, his resolve unshaken, simply shook his head. "My decision is final," he stated, his voice firm yet laced with a hint of sadness. "I have placed my trust in Mr. Smith. I will not go back on my word."
Desperation morphed into despair as the practitioners realized the futility of their pleas. Some, their faces pale, muttered darkly about the impending doom of traditional medicine, their confidence shattered.
"It's over," one muttered, his voice laced with defeat. "We're finished."
"Without Dr. Wheeler, we don't stand a chance," another lamented, shaking his head. "This will be a massacre."
Derrick, his gaze fixed on the floor, remained silent, his silence speaking volumes.
Edwin, ignoring the wave of negativity washing over the room, turned to James, his eyes filled with a quiet intensity. "Mr. Smith," he said, his voice firm yet kind. "I entrust you with the honor of our art. Do not let me down."
James, his throat suddenly dry, nodded solemnly. "Dr. Wheeler," he replied, his voice steady despite the pressure he felt, "I promise you, as long as I stand here, traditional medicine will not perish."
His words, spoken with unwavering conviction, echoed through the room. It was a bold statement, perhaps even arrogant to some, but it was a promise made with absolute sincerity. James, for all his flaws, did not make promises he couldn't keep.
A flicker of hope ignited in Edwin's eyes. He had made the right decision; he knew it. This young man, this unconventional practitioner, possessed a spark, a fire that burned bright with passion and belief.
The others, however, remained unconvinced. They saw only James's youth, his lack of experience, and their hearts sank.
Suddenly, Derrick, who had been eerily silent until now, erupted like a volcano. He shot to his feet, his face contorted with rage, his eyes blazing with a terrifying intensity.
"James! It's always James!" he screamed, his voice cracking with raw emotion. He pointed an accusing finger at James, his entire body trembling with barely contained fury.
"I'm your grandson!" he roared, his voice thick with anguish. "Why do you never see my efforts, my accomplishments? Why do you only criticize, never praise?"
He rounded on Edwin, his voice filled with a lifetime of resentment. "This exchange, this… this farce… it means everything! And he… he's the one who almost ruined it! He was late, disrespectful, incompetent! Yet you defend him! You give him your place! You ask me to follow his lead?"
Derrick choked back a sob, his voice breaking. "Why? He knows a few acupuncture points, cures a couple of patients in front of you, and suddenly, he's the chosen one? I'm your own flesh and blood! Why do you trust an outsider more than your own grandson?"
His voice cracked with pain and betrayal. "It's not fair! It's not fair!"
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