Chapter 4 Treatment

• Upon reaching Jennifer's ward, Catherine swiftly briefed Finnian on the urgent situation.
• Having heard of Catherine's compassionate nature from his father, Finnian recognized her as an exceptionally caring person. Throughout his mother's hospitalization, Catherine had demonstrated remarkable attentiveness, proving herself to be an extraordinary doctor.
• Moreover, moved by the innate kindness deeply instilled within a doctor's heart and compelled by the gravity of the situation, Finnian found it impossible to refuse Catherine's plea. With a nod of agreement, he followed Catherine to the operating room.
• “Excuse me, may I inquire about your name and your place of practice as a doctor?” William scrutinized Finnian, his expression a mix of confusion and skepticism. As the head of the internal medicine department at the hospital, William held a notable reputation in the field. He had encountered nearly every prominent expert in internal medicine in Newcove, yet Finnian was unfamiliar to him.
• “My name is Finnian, but I'm not a doctor,” Finnian replied calmly. “I've simply learned some medical skills from an elderly traditional medicine practitioner. Medicine is more of a personal interest for me.” Stepping forward, he assessed Kenneth's complexion before performing a pulse diagnosis.
• “This is ridiculous! You're not even a doctor. How could you possibly perform surgery? Do you even know how?” William's countenance darkened. As an esteemed expert in internal medicine, he harbored doubts about his own ability to treat Kenneth. Finnian, on the other hand, wasn't even a half-baked doctor. William found it implausible that Finnian could possess such advanced medical skills.
• “William, trust me. Mr. Lambert's medical abilities are extraordinary. I've seen it firsthand, and I have full confidence in him,” Catherine interjected firmly. Though she had only just met Finnian, she had inexplicable confidence in him.
• “What right does a mere resident doctor have to offer assurances? Mr. Kenneth is a distinguished person. If anything were to go wrong, who would be held accountable?” William demanded, his tone laced with anger.
• “If there are any complications, I will bear the responsibility,” Finnian asserted icily. Having conducted a preliminary diagnosis of Kenneth's condition through observation and pulse examination, he had identified an asymptomatic congenital heart defect, distinct from the acute coronary syndrome Catherine had mentioned. The hospital's diagnosis was incorrect. While both conditions affected the heart, one was congenital while the other was acquired. A slight misstep could lead to grave consequences.
• “You're not even a qualified doctor! How can you possibly assume responsibility?” William's voice boomed, his frustration mounting as he inwardly chastised Finnian's ignorance. Kenneth's condition was grave; if any amateur could treat it, what purpose did hospitals serve?
• “You must understand, it was you who begged me to intervene in treating this illness, not the other way around. If you have faith in my medical abilities, I'll proceed with the treatment. If not, you're free to seek assistance elsewhere!” Finnian, typically composed, was now visibly provoked. With a cold snort, he turned on his heels to leave.
• “Mr. Lambert, please, don't be upset. We have faith in you,” one of the bodyguards interjected hastily, offering a placating smile as he stopped Finnian from leaving. “How confident are you in treating Mr. Kenneth's condition?”
• “I'm eighty percent confident,” Finnian responded, his demeanor softening slightly. If his goal was merely to alleviate Kenneth's symptoms, he was completely assured of success. However, to fully cure Kenneth's ailment, his confidence level wavered at eighty percent.
• “Bullsh*t! Even Dr. Quinton wouldn't be more than thirty percent confident with such a severe case. Who do you think you are, boldly claiming you're eighty percent certain? Do you even think before you speak?” William sneered, wondering if Catherine had hit her head on a wall. Where on earth did she find this oddball?
• “Shut up! If you're so competent, then you treat him. If not, then keep that foul mouth of yours shut!” The bodyguard raged. They barely managed to make Finnian stay. If William's words drove Finnian away, they'd be left without any hope for Kenneth's treatment.
• “I...” William was at a loss for words. He lacked the capability himself but couldn't place trust in Finnian either. With a tinge of resentment, he stated, “Just so we're clear, Catherine brought this amateur doctor in. If anything happens during Mr. Kenneth's treatment, the responsibility lies solely with him and Catherine. I wash my hands of it.”
• “I have faith in Finnian. If any problems arise, I'll share the burden with him,” Catherine affirmed.
• “Very well, Mr. Lambert, we place Mr. Kenneth's well-being in your hands. If there's anything you need, just say the word,” the bodyguard conceded through gritted teeth. He was desperate. With Kenneth's condition permitting no delay, he reluctantly placed his trust in Finnian.
• “I need nothing else. Simply stand guard outside and ensure no interruptions,” Finnian directed as he pushed the patient into the operating room, nonchalantly locking the door behind him.
• Outside the operating room, the onlookers exchanged puzzled glances. Finnian was about to perform surgery without even a scalpel, and he hadn't requested any assistance from a nurse. How is he going to proceed with the surgery?
• Aside from Catherine, who had witnessed Finnian's medical skills, the rest were filled with unease, a sense of foreboding rising within them. This was especially true for the two bodyguards, who were beginning to doubt whether their decision just now had been a mistake.
• Meanwhile, inside the operating room, Finnian meticulously sterilized the silver needles before unbuttoning Kenneth's shirt. Using his inner vitality, he executed the Mystic Heaven Sixteen Needles technique, deftly inserting each silver needle into the precise acupoints surrounding Kenneth's heart.
• After the needles were inserted, Kenneth's condition improved. His previously labored breathing gradually steadied under Finnian's ministrations. Next, Finnian channeled his vital energy, transmitting it into Kenneth's body through the palm of his hand.
• With the Mystic Heaven Sixteen Needles effectively quelling Kenneth's ailment, Finnian employed a combination of acupuncture and his own vital energy to address Kenneth's congenital heart disease. Although doing so would deplete his vital energy, Finnian remained steadfast in his mission to save a life.
• Outside the operating room, Matthew Hubbard and his wife, Claudia Lemore, along with Henry Weber and James, arrived one after another.
• “How is Kenneth? What's his condition?” Claudia asked anxiously.
• William hesitated before responding, “Mr. Kenneth is currently undergoing surgery in the operating room.”
• “Who is performing the surgery?” Henry looked at William in puzzlement. Knowing William's specialization in surgery, he had assumed William would be leading the procedure. However, it seemed that wasn't the case.
• “The surgeon's name is Finnian.”
• “Who is Finnian?” Henry furrowed his brow in thought but couldn't recall any doctor by that name in the hospital.
• “He... He's not a member of our hospital staff. He's merely an amateur enthusiast who has studied traditional medicine for a few years,” William admitted reluctantly, the words sounding strained as he forced them out.
• As soon as the words left William's lips, the expressions of everyone present changed.
• “This is preposterous!” Matthew erupted in fury, wishing he could slap Henry in the face. “Mr. Weber, are you trying to kill my son by allowing an outsider to conduct surgery?”
• “Listen here, Weber, Kenneth is the only heir of our family. If anything happens to him, it'll be the end for you!” Claudia jabbed a finger in Henry's direction, her voice trembling with anger.
• “Um...” Henry's heart raced, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he struggled to maintain composure. Offering a placating smile, he hurriedly said, “Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard, please, don't be upset. I assure you, I will provide a thorough explanation.”
• “William, how could you allow an amateur to perform surgery on Mr. Kenneth? Who gave you the authority?” Henry's glare bore into William as he cursed inwardly.
• “Mr. Weber, this has nothing to do with me. It was Catherine who brought him here. I tried to intervene but failed,” William defended himself, gesturing toward Catherine beside him, seeking to absolve himself of blame.
• “Mr. Weber, please trust me. Despite Finnian not being a doctor, his medical skills are exceptional. I firmly believe he will successfully treat Mr. Kenneth,” Catherine interjected, her tone earnest.
• “How skilled can an amateur truly be in medicine? Is he more adept than esteemed experts like Dr. Quinton?” Henry's tone was laced with anger. “Catherine, mark my words. If any harm befalls Mr. Kenneth, both you and this Finnian will face the consequences. Jail will be the least of your worries!”