CHAPTER 21: CHAPTER 21: DO YOU WANT US TO DIE AT THE HANDS OF A QUACK?

Ann Vaughn returned to the Vaughn Clinic in a daze. Just as she sat down, the long-waiting customers filed in, brazenly scrutinizing the clinic’s interior.

The longer they looked, the more apparent the disdain in their eyes became.

"I heard such miraculous tales and thought it was some renowned doctor’s clinic, but it turns out it’s run by this death-causing Traditional Chinese Medicine and claims to treat only ten patients a day, playing the role of The Divine Doctor?"

A woman dressed luxuriously and fashionably glanced contemptuously at Ann Vaughn sitting behind the desk, "My father-in-law died from this kind of medicine, so who knows what sort of ill intentions are behind these rumors, hoping we’ll fall into the hands of these frauds?"

Among those present today were people who had witnessed Ann Vaughn pull Old Master Church back from death’s door with just a few needles.

But the deeply ingrained belief that Traditional Chinese Medicine preys on the sick wasn’t something easily overturned.

"I don’t trust these Chinese medicine doctors; they’ll find something wrong with you even if you’re fine." Someone immediately became apprehensive and left straight away.

Ann Vaughn, unfazed, lifted her eyes to look at the woman who had just confronted her. After assessing her for a moment, she said, "Do you find it hard to fall asleep, waking with a start even when you do, have frequent palpitations, and feel sudden bursts of anger?"

The woman’s expression faltered with a hint of shock in her eyes, "How did you know?"

She had been troubled by this condition for over two months, visiting several hospitals with her husband’s support. Injections and medication only provided temporary relief, with relapses occurring within days.

The doctors insisted it wasn’t a major ailment and that proper care would solve it, but despite her best efforts, no improvement was seen. Her exhausted spirit couldn’t support her life and work, driving her nearly insane.

This woman... Without even feeling her pulse, she had seen through her ailment with just a glance?!

Astounded, the woman hesitated for a moment before sitting in front of Ann Vaughn, deciding to give it a try, "Miss, I apologize for my previous attitude. Can you help with my illness?"

Ann Vaughn smiled faintly, taking a small herbal sachet from the wooden cabinet and handing it to the woman. Then she started writing a prescription, "This contains dried herbs that have calming and sleep-inducing effects. Drink the prescribed herbal medicine for three days, and then come back for a change in the prescription."

Half-skeptical, the woman accepted the herbal sachet. As she inhaled its light, fresh aroma, her long-fatigued mind seemed to be infused with new vitality, calming her restless heart.

Almost instantly, all her doubts vanished.

She took a deep breath and bowed to Ann Vaughn, "I apologize for my reckless and biased comments earlier. Please forgive me."

"Ignorance warrants no blame," Ann Vaughn shook her head slightly, unconcerned, "The consultation and the herbal sachet together cost six hundred sixty. Will you pay by card or cash?"

The woman hurriedly took out cash to pay, cherishing her herbal sachet as she left the clinic.

Nobody had expected this outcome, but Ann Vaughn’s display of skill had been truly eye-opening.

Though some remained doubtful, others were willing to trust her and sat down to be treated by Ann Vaughn.

This small clinic welcomed its first customers; the future was at stake, and Ann Vaughn dared not be careless, treating each patient with utmost caution, but limiting it to ten patients a day.

For now, she managed everything alone, and with more people, mistakes could be easily made; controlling numbers was the safest bet.

The Vaughn Clinic’s reputation began to spread in a limited way; at least, when mentioning Ann Vaughn’s clinic, no one expressed disdain or contempt anymore.

This was a good omen.

However, Ann Vaughn’s good mood vanished completely when she returned to The Water Terrace.