Chapter 235 Too Arrogant
"Make way! Mr. Worthington's here. He'll definitely know what to do."
"Yes, with Mr. Worthington on the case, the patient is as good as saved!"
"Of course! Mr. Worthington is a renowned professor and physician in Serenity Province. His medical skills are unparalleled. With him here, there's no illness he can't cure, except terminal ones, of course."
"Exactly! Let those traditional medicine folks see what real medical expertise looks like!"
Nathaniel basked in the praise as he walked by, a smug smile gracing his lips. He made a show of humility, pressing his right hand down in a calming gesture. "You flatter me. I'm just a humble doctor serving the people. Now, let's see what we're dealing with."
His feigned modesty only deepened the younger doctors' respect and admiration.
Nathaniel reached the patient and immediately directed two young doctors to restrain the struggling individual. He began a cursory examination, spreading the patient's eyelids with two fingers and then moving on to other parts of the body.
Two minutes later, he announced with unwavering confidence, "I've got it. The patient is experiencing a seizure, likely brought on by calcium deficiency and exhaustion. Nothing serious."
He addressed the crowd with an air of authority, treating the case as an open-and-shut matter and outlining the standard procedures for handling seizures.
James couldn't help but chuckle at the man's self-assured pronouncements, especially when he saw the modern doctors nodding in agreement.
His laughter cut through the sudden silence, drawing everyone's attention, particularly Nathaniel's. The renowned physician's face contorted with rage upon seeing James.
'Him again!' Nathaniel exclaimed inwardly.
"What's so funny?!" he roared, jabbing a finger at James.
As a distinguished figure in Serenity Province's top hospital, Nathaniel was used to deference. James's laughter was a blatant sign of disrespect, an affront to his authority.
And then there was the matter of James using underhanded tactics to slander his apprentice!
To Nathaniel, James was nothing short of an enemy.
The modern doctors, taking their cue from Nathaniel, glared at James with open hostility. The combined pressure from over a hundred people was palpable. Even someone as esteemed as Edwin might have faltered.
But James remained unfazed, his expression calm and composed.
"Mr. Worthington," James said, still smiling, "this isn't a simple seizure. I urge you to reconsider your approach. Using the method you described could have serious consequences."
James's warning was sincere. Alleviating suffering was a doctor's duty, after all.
Nathaniel, however, was in no mood for advice. His eyebrows twitched, and his face flushed crimson with anger. He jabbed a finger at James and spat. "Who are you to question me?! You have no idea what you're talking about! Do you even know what a seizure is?! This is preposterous!"
He was beyond furious. James's challenge during the second round had already infuriated him; he couldn't bear more for James's question.
Many of the modern doctors joined in, pointing and yelling at James, accusing him of arrogance and disrespect for daring to question Mr. Worthington's diagnosis.
Even some of the traditional medicine practitioners felt James was being reckless. They knew Nathaniel's reputation. None of them believed they could surpass his skills.
And James, barely thirty years old, was a novice in comparison, a grade-schooler challenging a seasoned professor. It was absurd!
"James, what are you doing?" one of the senior traditional medicine practitioners chided. "Nathaniel is a highly skilled physician. He's received more accolades than you've read books. What makes you think you can question him?!"
"Confidence is good, but there's a fine line between that and arrogance," another added. "Don't forget, you represent traditional medicine here. Your actions reflect on all of us. Don't embarrass us!"
"Apologize to Mr. Worthington," another urged.
James, of course, ignored them. He was used to criticism and refused to let it get to him. He shook his head and said, "Just wait. This isn't a simple seizure. If Mr. Worthington proceeds with his treatment, the patient's condition will only worsen."
His words were met with even more anger from the senior practitioners. They saw him as arrogant, stubborn, and disrespectful. A young man with no future.
They were convinced the patient was simply experiencing a seizure, compounded by calcium deficiency and fatigue.
Many in the audience agreed, their opinion of James plummeting. He was being too arrogant.
James remained calm. He had given his warning, fulfilled his duty. If Nathaniel refused to listen, there was nothing more he could do. He was curious to see how everyone would react when Nathaniel's treatment backfired.
The heated competition was momentarily forgotten as everyone turned their attention back to Nathaniel, eager to see him silence the upstart and cure the patient.
Several news crews zoomed in, broadcasting the events live, their reporters narrating the drama unfolding before them.
The tension in the room crackled with anticipation.
Nathaniel, feeding off the attention, took a deep breath, barely able to contain his excitement. He thrived in the spotlight. To prove his expertise in this situation would be a triumph.
He shot James a disdainful look, a smirk playing on his lips. He thought, 'This is supposed to be our blunder. Even if I cured the patient, there wouldn't be any applause. But thanks to your interference, we're the heroes now. And I'm going to teach you a lesson.'
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