The Shepherd family mansion lood before us, a sprawling estate on the outskirts of Shiglance City. Leopold led us through massive mahogany doors into a foyer that could have swallowed my entire forr apartnt.
"We've prepared a guest room for you and your... assistant," Leopold said, gesturing vaguely toward Eamon. "But before you settle in, I should inform you of a developnt."
I raised an eyebrow, watching his carefully composed expression.
"After Miss Ashworth contacted us, my son Jonah reached out to an old family friend—Dr. Maxim Huxley. He's just returned from studying advanced dical techniques abroad and has graciously agreed to examine Eleanor this afternoon."
Jonah stepped forward, a self-satisfied smile playing on his lips. "Dr. Huxley completed his residency at Inverness dical Center in Europa. He specializes in tabolic disorders."
"I see," I replied, keeping my voice neutral despite the obvious implication. They'd called in reinforcents, soone they believed outranked in expertise.
Leopold cleared his throat. "We thought it best not to ntion your... alternative approach to Dr. Huxley. He's rather particular about disturbances to his diagnostic process."
"So I'm just an accompanier?" I asked directly.
Leopold had the decency to look slightly embarrassed. "We don't want to create any tension that might affect my wife's care. I'm sure you understand." VisitMyVirtualLibraryEmpire(*)formore.
Before I could respond, a door opened at the far end of the hallway. A tall man with wire-rimd glasses and a pristine white coat erged, carrying a leather dical bag that looked more decorative than functional.
"Ah, Dr. Huxley," Leopold said, relief evident in his voice. "Allow to introduce Liam Knight, a... colleague of Miss Ashworth's."
Huxley barely glanced in my direction as he extended a limp hand. "Knight. Pleasure." His dismissal was imdiate as he turned back to Leopold. "I've completed my initial examination. We should discuss my findings."
I bit back a retort as the three n moved toward what appeared to be a study, leaving Eamon and standing in the foyer.
"Charming bunch," Eamon muttered under his breath.
A housekeeper appeared from another doorway. "I can show you to your rooms if you'd like to freshen up."
"Thank you," I replied. "But I'd prefer to et Mrs. Shepherd first, if possible."
The housekeeper hesitated. "Dr. Huxley was quite specific about Mrs. Shepherd resting after his examination."
"Of course he was," I said, not bothering to hide my irritation now.
An hour later, Leopold summoned us to his study. The room was dominated by shelves of leather-bound books that looked pristine and unread. Huxley sat in an armchair like it was a throne, while Jonah stood behind his father's desk with arms crossed.
"Dr. Huxley has diagnosed Eleanor with hypoglycemia coupled with an autoimmune response," Leopold announced. "He's recomnded a treatnt plan involving dications developed at the Inverness Research Institute."
"I see," I replied carefully. "And may I ask what symptoms Mrs. Shepherd has been experiencing?"
Jonah let out an exaggerated sigh. "Is that really necessary? Dr. Huxley has already—"
"It's fine," Leopold interrupted. "Eleanor experiences weakness, fatigue, dizziness. She's lost significant weight over the past three months."
"Any digestive issues? Changes in appetite?" I asked.
Jonah scoffed. "Mr. Knight, perhaps your... traditional dicine approaches don't recognize the advances made in modern diagnostics. Dr. Huxley used the latest testing equipnt brought from Europa."
I ignored him, turning to Huxley. "What's your treatnt recomndation?"
Huxley smiled thinly. "I've prescribed Glycostat-X, developed in Inverness specifically for complex hypoglycemic conditions. It's vastly superior to anything available locally."
"Interesting," I replied. "I'm not familiar with this dication."
"Of course not," Huxley said with barely disguised condescension. "It's only available through specialized international channels. The dical community in Pyro is... well, let's say it's several steps behind."
Eamon, who had been silent until now, straightened. "That's a rather broad generalization about an entire nation's dical expertise, isn't it?"
Huxley raised an eyebrow, looking at Eamon as if noticing him for the first ti. "And you are?"
"Eamon Greene. I assist Dr. Knight."
"I see. Well, Mr. Greene, when you've studied at institutions that actually push dical boundaries rather than clinging to outdated thodologies, perhaps your opinion might carry so weight."
The room fell silent. I could feel Eamon's anger radiating beside .
"Dr. Knight," Huxley said, turning to with obvious disdain, "perhaps you should control your subordinate. Not everyone appreciates these... nationalist outbursts."
I felt my patience snap. "Eamon isn't my subordinate; he's my colleague. And his question was entirely valid."
"I doubt soone of your limited expertise would recognize valid dical questioning," Huxley retorted. "While you've been peddling herbal redies and acupuncture, I've been working with the world's leading researchers."
"Yet sohow, despite all that prestigious education, you've failed to learn basic professional courtesy," I replied evenly.
Leopold stepped forward, clearly uncomfortable with the escalating tension. "Gentlen, please. This isn't helping Eleanor."
"You're right," I conceded. "Mr. Shepherd, I'd still like to examine your wife, if possible."
Jonah snorted. "To what end? So you can suggest so ancient folk redy? Dr. Huxley's education represents the pinnacle of dical advancent."
"Is that why you imdiately dismissed our country's dical expertise?" Eamon asked coolly. "Because foreign automatically ans better?"
Huxley's face flushed. "I dismiss outdated practices regardless of their origin. But yes, the dical infrastructure in this country is woefully inadequate compared to Europan standards."
I studied him carefully. "You seem to hold your holand in rather low regard, Dr. Huxley."
"I'm simply being realistic," he replied. "Why do you think I spent eight years abroad? The opportunities, the research funding, the technology—it's all superior."
"And yet you've returned," I noted.
Huxley smirked. "Temporarily. I maintain my residence in Inverness. I even have a green card there—sothing I'm quite proud of, actually."
The room went silent. Even Leopold looked uncomfortable now.
"You're proud," I repeated slowly, "that you've gained the right to live in a foreign country? That's what brings you pride?"
"Don't twist my words," Huxley snapped. "I'm proud to be associated with a nation that values scientific advancent and rewards dical innovation, rather than clinging to outdated traditions."
I took a step closer to him, my voice low but clear. "I've traveled abroad as well, Dr. Huxley. I've studied with masters from many nations. But I never once felt the need to denigrate my holand to elevate myself."
"Perhaps you lack the perspective to see its limitations," he replied coldly.
"Or perhaps you lack the character to appreciate its strengths," I countered. "A person who betrays his country and grovels in submission! People like you will never learn the art of dicine well or, to be more precise, people like you will never achieve any learning. So, I doubt your diagnosis now!"
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