Chapter 227 Talking Freely
"Dr. Smith," Nathaniel began, his eyes narrowed, a challenging glint in them as he fixed his gaze on James. "Using your traditional Chinese medicine methods, how would you treat a patient with mid-stage cancer?"
The question, posed the moment Nathaniel arrived, hung heavy in the air.
Cancer, a disease that had plagued humanity for centuries, remained unconquered, a fortress modern medicine had yet to breach. Traditional Chinese medicine, with its ancient roots and practices, offered no proven cure, no documented case of complete remission. Nathaniel's question, especially directed at James, the youngest of the traditional medicine practitioners, was a deliberate test, a gauntlet thrown down.
All eyes in the room followed Nathaniel's gaze, settling on James. He had, of course, anticipated this line of questioning, and a flicker of amusement crossed his face. The seasoned practitioners around him, however, were visibly nervous, their apprehension palpable.
A murmur rippled through the audience. "Isn't that Professor Worthington from the Provincial Hospital?" someone whispered. "Why is he challenging that young man?"
"He's targeting the weakest link, obviously," came the cynical reply.
"Let's see how he wriggles out of this one," another voice chimed in, laced with amusement. "Maybe he's a hidden genius." The comment sparked a wave of laughter, skepticism evident in every chuckle. No one held out much hope for James.
Unfazed by the scrutiny and the whispers, James rose slowly, his demeanor calm, a faint smile playing on his lips. "An excellent question, Dr. Worthington," he began, his voice amplified by the microphone. "In fact, the treatment of cancer has been a subject of much contemplation for me recently."
"Medically speaking," he continued, his voice steady and clear, "cancer, particularly carcinomas, arise from epithelial tissue. These malignant tumors are characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, invasion of surrounding tissues, and potential for metastasis. The development of cancer is a complex process, a multi-step cascade involving initiation, promotion, and progression, often linked to factors like smoking, infections, environmental exposure, diet, and genetics."
James's calm and articulate explanation, delivered with an air of quiet confidence, surprised many in the audience. The initial skepticism gave way to curiosity. Even those who had been whispering amongst themselves fell silent, their attention drawn to the young practitioner.
Nathaniel, however, felt a surge of annoyance. The composure James displayed, so incongruous with his youthful appearance, irked him. Guadalupe, seated beside him, her face a mask of displeasure, shared his sentiment.
Unperturbed by their reactions, James continued, "It's a tragic reality that many cancer patients succumb not to the disease itself, but to the debilitating effects of treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Yet, we attribute these deaths to cancer, failing to acknowledge the limitations and potential harm of these interventions. Surgery, while effective in removing visible tumors, does not address the underlying causes of the disease."
"Absurd!" Nathaniel's voice boomed across the room, cutting James off mid-sentence. "You speak with feigned understanding, peddling utter nonsense! Are you even aware of the true nature of cancer, its devastating effects on the body?"
"Cancer patients suffer excruciating pain, develop debilitating ulcers, experience internal bleeding – their suffering is unimaginable. Do you truly believe your herbs can alleviate that, can offer a cure where modern medicine has failed?"
Nathaniel's outburst, fueled by a mixture of professional indignation and personal animosity, sent a shiver through the room. His reputation as a formidable figure in the medical community, coupled with his furious demeanor, was intimidating, to say the least. Many in the audience shrank back in their seats, afraid to meet his gaze.
However, compared to James's composure, Nathaniel's reaction seemed excessive, even to some in the Western medicine camp. They exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what had provoked such an outburst from the usually unflappable Dr. Worthington.
Nathaniel himself realized he had overreacted. A wave of regret washed over him, but it was too late to retract his words without losing face. Guadalupe's influence, his own simmering dislike for James, and the young man's self-assured demeanor had all contributed to his outburst.
James, however, seemed unfazed by the tirade. He smiled, his expression disarmingly calm. "Dr. Worthington," he said, his voice even. "I merely expressed my opinion. I meant no disrespect, so why the hostility? Your flushed face, the slight tremor in your voice, the faint coating on your tongue – these all point to an imbalance, an excess of internal heat. I suggest you moderate your intake of fried foods and perhaps prioritize rest over late nights."
Nathaniel's anger, momentarily abated, flared anew. The audacity of this young upstart, diagnosing him in front of this esteemed gathering! He felt a surge of rage, a primal urge to lash out. However, a restraining hand on his arm, and a whispered admonition from a colleague, brought him back from the brink. "Dr. Worthington," the colleague hissed, "control yourself! This is a professional conference, not a playground squabble. Think of your image!"
The words jolted Nathaniel back to his senses. He was, indeed, at a conference, with thousands of attendees and countless more watching the live broadcast. The realization hit him like a bucket of cold water. He had almost made a colossal fool of himself.
Taking a few deep breaths, he forced himself to calm down. The anger remained, simmering just below the surface, but he managed to maintain a semblance of composure. His gaze, however, when it fell on James, was glacial.
James, for his part, felt a twinge of disappointment. He had deliberately provoked Nathaniel, employing subtle cues, calculated pauses, and carefully chosen words to elicit that very reaction, to expose the renowned doctor's temper in front of everyone. It was a tactic he rarely used, but it was undeniably effective.
Nathaniel's outburst, though quickly contained, had already left its mark. Many in the audience, including some of the judges and organizers, regarded him with newfound skepticism. His image, carefully cultivated over years of practice, had been tarnished.
James, on the other hand, had garnered a surprising amount of respect. His composure, his eloquence, and his audacity in the face of such a formidable opponent had won over a significant portion of the audience. His youth, once seen as a liability, now worked in his favor, making his performance all the more impressive.
Harmony, seated among the judges, observed the exchange with keen interest. A small smile played on her lips as she watched James, her eyes filled with an unreadable expression. The camera, panning across the judges' panel, captured that fleeting smile, broadcasting it to the thousands watching the live stream, including Jennifer and her family, gathered in their living room.
"Isn't that Harmony?" Dennis exclaimed, his eyes glued to the screen. "What's she doing there?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
