Chapter 14: Identity Verification - The Hospital Director's Call
BOOM!
The moment Dr. Zhang Zizhen's words landed, Charlotte Xiao felt as if a thunderbolt had struck her skull.
The herbal formula?
How could he know—just from taking her pulse—that the medicine hadn't been prepared according to his prescription?
Unless... unless the changes Dr. Lin Tong had made to the formula were problematic?
With dawning horror, Charlotte turned to stare at Lin Tong.
For the first time, doubt crept into her unwavering trust in the renowned physician.
Under her gaze, Lin Tong's confidence wavered.
But it shouldn't be possible...
I only substituted two herbs—and their medicinal properties were nearly identical...
"You didn't follow the prescription?"
Daniel's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
He had entrusted Charlotte with preparing the medicine precisely because of her loyalty to Elena.
Could she have betrayed that trust after all?
Charlotte flinched under Daniel's scorching glare.
"I... I showed the original formula to Dr. Lin Tong," she admitted hesitantly. "He modified two of the herbs..."
CRACK.
Something in Daniel's mind shattered.
A volcanic rage erupted through his veins as the truth crystallized:
Lin Tong had poisoned Elena.
The realization hit Daniel like a physical blow—Charlotte had gambled with Elena's life.
But compared to her naivety, Lin Tong's arrogance was unforgivable.
"Lin Tong," Daniel's voice dropped to a lethal whisper, "you dared alter Dr. Zhang's prescription?"
His gaze burned with the fury of two lifetimes—memories of Elena's chronic pain from Lin Tong's incompetence in his past life flashing before his eyes.
Lin Tong recoiled as if struck. That look... it wasn't just anger. It was the predatory stare of a man who'd already witnessed the consequences.
Sweat beaded on his brow, but he jabbed a finger at Dr. Zhang. "I only substituted two herbs with identical properties! If Madam Vanderbilt is hemorrhaging, it's because this fraud's formula is flawed!"
"Professional? You're a joke."
Young Lin Xiao spat on the floor near Lin Tong's shoes. "Even first-year med students know synergistic reactions exist. Combine 'similar' herbs wrong, and you get poison." His voice dripped contempt. "And they let you touch patients?"
Lin Tong's face purpled. "I swear on my medical license—"
"That license should be burned." Daniel finally moved, cornering Lin Tong against the wall. "You just signed Elena's death warrant."
Lin Tong's obstinate denial despite overwhelming evidence made Daniel's blood boil.
"All medicine carries some toxicity—how dare he recklessly alter a prescription?"
Especially one formulated by a National Physician, each herb carefully balanced through decades of clinical experience.
That Lin Tong had the audacity to blame Dr. Zhang for his own malpractice was nothing short of disgusting.
But Elena's condition took precedence.
"Dr. Zhang," Daniel said urgently, "please stabilize her first."
"Understood." The elderly physician gave a curt nod and swiftly retrieved his silver needles.
Just as he prepared to administer treatment, Charlotte stepped forward, her voice icy.
"Daniel, you agreed this would be an examination only—no treatment. Are you really going back on your word?"
This time, Daniel's murderous intent wasn't metaphorical.
"If you hadn't allowed Lin Tong to tamper with the prescription, Elena wouldn't be lying here bleeding!" he snarled. "How dare you stand in our way now?"
Charlotte bit her lip, glancing at Elena's unconscious form.
"Even if Dr. Lin modified the formula, he's still a licensed physician," she argued. "This old man—where's his medical certification? For Elena's safety, I'll compromise: Lin Tong won't treat her, but it must be a qualified doctor!"
After this disaster, she couldn't risk another gamble with Elena's life.
Lin Tong's face twisted in outrage when Charlotte excluded him from Elena's treatment.
"Mr. Lockwood," he sneered, "you'd trust this back-alley quack over a licensed physician?"
Daniel's brow furrowed. "Charlotte, move aside—Elena doesn't have time for this!"
"Not unless he proves he's a real doctor!" Charlotte planted herself firmly in front of the bed. "I won't budge even if it kills me!"
Daniel's fists clenched—he was seconds from breaking her jaw.
Then—
Dr. Zhang's calm voice cut through the tension like a scalpel:
"I haven't practiced in a hospital for thirty years..." He adjusted his glasses. "But a decade ago, I served as professor at Capital Ren Tong Medical College."
Ren Tong Medical College?
Charlotte froze.
As a native of the Capital, she knew Ren Tong ranked among China's top three medical schools—the cradle of the nation's finest physicians. To teach there required god-tier expertise.
Yet—
"A Ren Tong professor?" She burst into derisive laughter. "Do I look that stupid to you?"
Though unfamiliar with medical circles, Charlotte knew Daniel Lockwood all too well.
What kind of man was he?
A worthless parasite who'd be nothing without Elena's support!
And this trash actually expects me to believe he recruited some legendary physician?
Ha! Does he think I'm an idiot?!
Beside her, Lin Tong suddenly smirked, as if struck by revelation. "Now I'm certain they're frauds!"
All eyes snapped to him.
Puffing out his chest, the oily-faced doctor declared with smug confidence:
"There is indeed a renowned Dr. Zhang Zizhen from Ren Tong—a medical virtuoso whose skills are unmatched in China!"
Charlotte blinked in confusion. "Wait... such a person really exists?"
"Indeed!" Lin Tong nodded vigorously. "But the true Dr. Zhang vanished from public view ten years ago. Even the most powerful figures failed to secure his services."
He turned to Daniel with mocking pity. "Mr. Lockwood, let's be realistic—someone of Dr. Zhang's stature wouldn't debase himself by associating with the likes of you. Not even the top ten tycoons in our province could get an audience with him!"
Wiping his sweaty brow, he delivered the killing blow:
"Our hospital director attended Dr. Zhang's lectures a decade ago. Shall I call him to verify your 'miracle doctor's' identity?"