Sophie Winslow didn’t expect Julian Sterling to come over. She expected even less for him to strike up a conversation. It directly pinched her overly sensitive nerves. Traditional Chinese medicine was profound and expansive, and this was where its true power lay. Even though many years had passed since she gave birth, a truly skilled master could still tell with a single check of her pulse.
Peter Preston hadn’t anticipated this situation either. Suddenly, an indescribably bizarre atmosphere fell over the scene. Unaware of the complex underlying dynamics, the old doctor spoke bluntly, "The young lady’s pulse shows a severe deficiency in qi and blood. It’s as if her body suffered a depletion and was never properly replenished."
Julian’s gaze slowly moved down, landing on the back of Sophie’s unmoving head. His thick eyebrows drew together imperceptibly, his tone betraying neither joy nor anger. "Are you mistaken?"
Stella Sutton hadn’t expected this matter to actually draw Julian’s attention to Sophie. She pressed her lips tightly together and glanced at the old doctor, her eyes hiding her dissatisfaction. She felt the man was just talking nonsense! Was traditional Chinese medicine really that incredible? Could they really figure out everything just by taking a pulse? Besides, when had Sophie ever given birth? Most likely, Sophie was completely barren. Otherwise, after all these years, even a chicken would have laid an egg by now. Either Sophie was infertile, or Julian didn’t allow her to have children. She felt both were possible.
Due to Julian’s repeated questioning, a cold sweat broke out on Sophie’s temples. This time was different from the young mother’s casual curiosity last time. This was a genuine master of traditional medicine. If Julian became suspicious... Sophie couldn’t help but grit her teeth, terrified the old doctor would blurt out another shocking statement and confirm in front of Julian that she had given birth.
The old doctor’s hand remained resting on Sophie’s wrist. He shot her a suspicious look. He naturally sensed her sudden inner turmoil. Her heartbeat was accelerating. In traditional Chinese medicine, this was a panic imbalance.
The old doctor’s cloudy yet astute eyes darted around, and he said leisurely, "However, this isn’t absolute."
Meeting the old doctor’s shrewd, monkey-like gaze, Sophie couldn’t help but blink at him.
"Alternatively, if there are people or things in her life draining her qi, blood, and mental energy, it could also cause this condition," the old doctor continued leisurely.
Only then did Julian shift his gaze to the old doctor, looking thoughtful. "Is that so?"
When Finn Lockwood walked over, he had overheard the gist of the conversation. Seeing the situation, he stepped forward and said with a joking smile, "Sir, you might not know this, but this young lady has been married for seven years and has never had a child. Rather than looking at her qi and blood issues, it would be much more practical to see if she’s truly barren."
Peter’s expression instantly turned cold. How could he not tell that the man was mocking Sophie? He was deliberately dragging Sophie’s sore spot out into the public eye, making everyone look at her with peculiar judgments. It was a vicious attempt to make people mistakenly believe that Sophie was infertile, while also leading them to think her marriage was riddled with holes.
"That is an unreasonable claim," Peter said indifferently. "When a couple doesn’t have children, how can you only target the woman and shift the blame entirely onto her? Could it be that some husbands lack self-control, have terrible lifestyle habits, and suffer from worrying sperm quality? Instead of making women endure the pain of taking pills and getting injections, why not check if the men are actually functional?"
Finn was choked into silence. He subconsciously glanced at Julian, who hadn’t spoken a word. Julian didn’t seem angry at Peter’s words at all.
The old doctor slowly chimed in, "He makes sense. Aside from a deficiency in qi and blood, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this young lady’s body."
Only then did Peter smile. "Then it’s the man’s problem. Sophie, who is your husband? Call him over and get him treated immediately."
Sophie and Finn were both left utterly speechless.
Stella’s expression changed slightly. She still wanted to secure a collaboration with Peter’s company, Helios. So, despite her displeasure, she held back from arguing. Only... she instinctively and sensitively glanced at the nearby media. She believed she had always acted with integrity. But Sophie might not be above deliberately smearing her. It was never wrong to be on guard. She certainly couldn’t let the real situation be exposed through a careless mistake and end up with an unmanageable mess.
Sophie didn’t expect Peter to be so aggressive. He practically flipped the table right there and then, leaving the other party completely unable to back down gracefully.
Finn was quick to react. He immediately changed the subject, "Other people’s family matters have nothing to do with us. Since we have such an incredible master here today—Stella, haven’t you been feeling unwell lately? Why not let him take a look?"
Stella instantly froze at his words. She subconsciously glanced at the highly respected old doctor, then at Sophie. Pursing her lips, she finally said, "There’s no need. I’m perfectly fine. I also don’t like wasting resources and taking up the time and opportunities of those who truly need it."
As soon as she said this, Sophie could obviously hear the passive-aggressive undertone. Stella was accusing her of wasting resources.
Sophie pulled her hand back and stood up calmly. "Right. You’re in good health, but Mr. Sterling beside you might truly need it." After all, Julian had personally stated back then that he would never have children. It was high time he got treated! With that, Sophie turned and left.
Julian cast a casual, sideways glance at her. He knew exactly what she meant. Ignoring the emotional remark, he simply checked his watch. "Alright, let’s get down to business."
Hearing this, Stella’s expression finally lit up with excitement. "Will Mr. Caldwell be here today?" She had been brought here by Julian today specifically to meet Hector Caldwell, the pinnacle figure in the field of traditional medicine. If she could directly become his student, wouldn’t collaborating with anyone be as easy as saying a single word? Julian was directly helping her solve her problems from the root.
Finn looked around and comforted her, "As long as he meets you, Mr. Caldwell will definitely like you. You’re practically a public figure now, complete with the aura and exposure. You are absolutely the best candidate to drive the promotion of traditional medicine."
Stella couldn’t help but curve her lips into a smile. She felt that Finn’s words made perfect sense. The decline of traditional medicine was a major trend. It needed fresh blood, as well as exposure and positive impact. And she was the most perfect candidate. By then, Mr. Caldwell, Helios, and Calyx would all serve as her endorsements.
Peter hadn’t gone far and caught the gist of their conversation. He couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle. After finding Sophie in a corner, he said, "Isn’t that Stella Sutton a bit too delusional? Mr. Caldwell has only accepted three students in his entire life. One is my dad, one is the currently renowned National Medical Master, and the other is you. You’re the only hand-picked sole successor, as well as his Closed-door Disciple. Does she think Mr. Caldwell has no standards?"
His father was now the chairman and director of Calyx, managing over a dozen top-tier private hospitals nationwide. Back then, it was because of his extraordinary talent that Mr. Caldwell had chosen him. Even a prestigious and powerful figure like his father had to address Sophie as a fellow disciple. Stella Sutton? She had no qualifications.
And they wouldn’t be able to wait for Mr. Caldwell to show his face today anyway. Ever since Sophie sent Lydia to keep the old Caldwell couple company, Mr. Caldwell had been too busy raising and playing with the little one!
Sophie hadn’t realized Stella’s ambitions were this big. That was one thing. More importantly, she knew that the one fueling this and building the high stage for Stella was actually Julian. When you love someone, you truly spare no effort to elevate them. She shrugged. "Let them mess around however they want."
The grand ceremony lasted for two hours.
After it ended, Peter was called away for some social engagements. Sophie went alone to the parking area to get her car. Just as she walked over and before she could even open the door, she heard a displeased voice behind her.
"Sophie, don’t you think you’re being a bit too much?"
Sophie turned around and saw Stella. Her pretty face was covered in mockery as her gaze drifted between Sophie and Sophie’s car. Beside Stella stood Julian and Finn.
"What is it now, my dear Madam?" Sophie simply leaned against the car door, waiting to see what kind of nonsense she was going to spout.