Scott Henry’s expression was dark and brooding as he thought about the situation throughout the day.
Scott Livinus and Sophia?
It seemed impossible!
At noon, Olivia invited him to lunch and noticed his distracted look. She asked, “Henry, what’s on your mind?”
“It’s nothing. This morning, I saw my Uncle Livinus with Sophia.”
“Scott Livinus and Sophia?” Olivia frowned and said, “Those two together? Impossible. Sophia is preparing for a divorce, has a poor reputation, and her family isn’t prestigious. Scott Livinus is the head of the Scott family; even if he lost his mind, he wouldn’t go for someone like her—a secondhand woman!”
Scott Henry nodded in agreement but then felt offended. He responded, annoyed, “What do you mean? Are you saying I was blind when I married Sophia?”
Seeing his displeasure, Olivia softened, hugging him and playfully saying, “Of course not. If you were blind, would you have chosen such a wonderful woman like me?”
She snuggled up to him, and her sweet scent eased Scott Henry’s mood.
“But…” Olivia recalled something and said, “Do you remember that time I took you to catch her cheating at the hotel? I said I saw Sophia checking into a room with a man, and we ended up finding Scott Livinus there. Now that I think about it, don’t you find it odd?”
Scott Henry frowned, “You mean…”
“I mean, it’s not entirely impossible! A man like Scott Livinus can have any woman he wants, so he wouldn’t be interested in Sophia romantically. But disinterest doesn’t rule out a physical connection.”
Olivia’s insinuations left Scott Henry uncomfortable, and he retorted with a stern expression, “Impossible! My uncle isn’t that kind of person. Besides, Sophia is his nephew’s wife—how could he have an affair with her?”
“Why not? I don’t think she’s a good person! You haven’t touched her in two years; do you think she’s really been waiting faithfully for you all this time? And here you are, still defending her!” Olivia’s tone was harsh.
“That’s not what I meant,” Scott Henry explained. “I just think they’re not connected in any way—it’s impossible!”
Olivia eyed him, scoffing, “You’re a man. Don’t underestimate what men are capable of. Just keep an eye on her! If we can catch her with another man, then she’ll have to leave with nothing.”
Scott Henry didn’t respond, his face darkening as he fell into contemplation.
—
Sophia wasn’t very familiar with the hospital environment, but her fellow students under the professor’s guidance were very supportive. Knowing she was a “struggling student,” they frequently assisted her, explaining relevant knowledge, helping her to catch on quickly.
Suddenly, a pediatric doctor from upstairs knocked on the door:
“Professor Michael! Dr. Cooper from Pediatrics is asking you to come up for a consultation.”
“Pediatrics?” Professor Michael put down his notes and said firmly, “Let’s go! All of you, follow me upstairs!”
Barbara nudged Sophia, who was leaning against the wall, urging her, “Come on! We’re going for a consultation!”
Sophia was startled, realizing that after a day of busy work, she’d finally get to see patients!
Professor Michael led a group of students upstairs to the Pediatrics Department.
Upon entering, Dr. Cooper brought Professor Michael to a patient room, where the patient’s family immediately gathered around.
Dr. Cooper introduced, “This is Dr. Michael. He’s a professor from the University of Traditional Medicine, specializing in traditional treatments.”
The family was visibly distressed, but they remained polite and greeted Professor Michael courteously.
Dr. Cooper then handed the medical records and diagnosis reports to Professor Michael, saying, “Professor Michael, the infant was diagnosed with jaundice from birth, and it’s been nearly three months now. We’ve tried all the conventional treatments, but there’s been little improvement. The baby has never been home since birth and has been in the hospital this entire time. Initially, he cried loudly and seemed healthy, but now…”
Sophia stood behind Professor Michael, quietly observing the infant’s condition.
From the moment they entered, despite the crowd and noise, the infant hadn’t opened his eyes. He had cried briefly but so softly that Sophia, standing nearby, could barely hear it. His cry was weak, a far cry from the usual piercing cries of a healthy baby.
The baby’s skin was dark yellow, his eyes clouded, his skin wrinkled, and his breathing faint. He barely moved.
“His jaundice is quite severe. A blood test should be conducted for further examination, but the family refuses,” Dr. Cooper explained.
The baby’s father, Colton, a modest-looking man, sighed and said, “Our baby has endured so much suffering since birth. The treatment has been nonstop with constant tests, but he hasn’t improved. I’ve consulted many doctors, and they all say it’s infant hepatitis. If it truly can’t be cured, we don’t want to subject him to more suffering. He’s already this thin, barely cries, his voice is as soft as a kitten, and he won’t even open his eyes. Drawing more blood might not kill him, but it would be t*****e. We decided to let it go.”
The mother, holding her baby, was in tears, “He refuses to nurse or eat. What are we supposed to do?”
The baby’s grandparents were also crying, and the aunt tried to comfort the mother, saying, “We’ve done everything we can to save him. As long as we do our best, whatever the outcome, he won’t blame us!”
For a moment, the room was filled with sorrowful emotions.
Professor Michael unwrapped the infant’s blanket and examined him, then said, “His liver and spleen are enlarged compared to other infants. Early intervention with traditional methods might have cured him, but after nearly three months, I fear that traditional treatments may not be effective. Additionally, traditional medicine can be bitter, and with his difficulty eating, his body might not be able to handle it.”
Because the infant was so young, Professor Michael didn’t keep the diagnosis confidential from the family.
Upon hearing his words, the family’s expressions darkened. They hadn’t initially believed in traditional medicine, but with modern treatments failing, they’d hoped for an alternative. Now it seemed the result was the same.
Due to the infant’s condition, Professor Michael didn’t allow the students to examine the patient. Instead, he provided an in-depth explanation of the baby’s condition, and the students nodded along, their expressions sympathetic as they looked at the baby. Families usually leave the hospital joyfully with a newborn, but this family had been struck with misfortune. The infant’s condition had dragged on for nearly three months, and the prognosis was grim. Everyone knew the high mortality rate for such cases, making it difficult to treat effectively.
