Chapter 35: Duane Welch, an expert in medicine
chapter-35
"I don't understand what you mean." Dustin kept a straight face and played dumb. He was not one to claim credit or recognition for what he had done. Since things had ended between them, he hoped they wouldn't be involved with each other in any way.
"It really wasn't you?" Dahlia still had some doubts.
"Ms. Nicholson, I think there's some misunderstanding. How can someone as useless as me help you?" Dustin replied coldly.
"Maybe I was wrong." There was a hint of disappointment in her eyes as she added, "That's right. Why would you help me? After all, we're no longer together. Besides, you're not capable of doing so."
"As you said, I have no money or power. I'm nothing compared to Chris. Is there anything else?" Dustin's face remained blank.
"No. You can go back to Ms. Harmon," Dahlia said scornfully.
"Alright, please excuse me." Dustin did not say much more and quickly caught up with Natasha, who deliberately walked slower.
"Mr. Rhys, it seems Ms. Nicholson still has some feelings for you," Natasha teased.
"Feelings?" Dustin laughed mockingly, "It's good enough that we haven't turned against each other."
"You can never read a woman's heart. There may be things even she has yet to figure out." Natasha smiled and tried to change the topic. "Oh, you mentioned you still need some rare herbs?"
"Why? Have you found them?" Dustin immediately perked up.
"Not yet. But I know someone who can help you. He was born into a family of doctors, and he collects many valuable herbs. Maybe he has what you need," Natasha explained.
"Oh? Who is it?" Dustin inquired.
"Follow me and you'll find out."
Natasha didn't give more details. She took Dustin's hand and went to the lounge on the second floor. There were two men in the lounge room. One of them was Natasha's grandfather, Andrew Harmon. The other was a burly man who looked about a couple of decades older than Dustin. The man was wearing a suit that made his muscles bulge. He had a calm expression on his face. It was apparent he was no ordinary person.
"Mr. Rhys, you're here! Have a seat!" Andrew immediately gestured for him to sit once Dustin entered the room.
"How are you feeling, Old Mr. Harmon?" Dustin asked politely.
"Much better. It's all thanks to you. If not, I would have lost my life." Andrew smiled.
"It's nothing," Dustin said modestly.
"Mr. Rhys, I would like to introduce someone to you."
Natasha pointed at the other man. "This is Duane Welch, an expert in medicine. He's from Millersburg and has a lot of experience. You can ask him if you need anything concerning medicine."
"I've met you before." Dustin nodded.
"I didn't know you were going to introduce someone so young to me. I don't know if he has what it takes." Duane sized him up disdainfully. He had personally come because he heard there was a famous doctor in Swinton. He hadn't expected it to be this unremarkable boy. What a waste of his time!
"Mr. Welch, you can't judge a book by its cover. I've personally witnessed Mr. Rhys' skill. He's on par with other experienced doctors!" Natasha reassured him.
"Is that so? If that's the case, he should evaluate me and see if he could diagnose anything."Duane started to get ready for an evaluation. It was obvious he was trying to make things difficult for Dustin.
"There's no need. I can recognize what disease you have in a glance," Dustin responded.
"In a glance?" Duane was slightly startled. "Are you joking? You can diagnose me by just looking? Even the senior doctors in Millersburg can't do that!"
"I don't know if others can do it. But I can indeed see what disease you have." Dustin was very certain.
"Alright! Then I would really like to know what you have diagnosed!" Duane joked lightly.
"You have a weak pulse, and you often become breathless. Your chest area especially is infected, and in addition to the internal injuries you suffered before, you are now terminally ill!" Dustin explained in a breath.
"Terminally ill? Ha! What nonsense!"
Duane chuckled coldly. "Young man, don't you know that I've led an active lifestyle since I was young? My body is very strong. Besides, I take a lot of supplements. I'm basically invincible to any disease! How dare you say I'm terminally ill? What a joke!"
"You're only healthy physically. The real disease is internal. Also, you should stop taking those supplements as they would only make your condition worse. Once it breaks out, there will be no turning back!" Dustin warned.
"What a load of bullshit! I've been taking those supplements since I was young and nothing has happened in 40 years. Now you're telling me they don't work?" Duane was very unhappy about this.
"I'm just warning you. If you continue, you will have a thyroid infection in three days!" Dustin advised.
"You're not fooling me! I've encountered a lot of scammers like you!" Duane said disdainfully.
"Mr. Welch, Dustin is a skilled doctor. You better not take his words lightly." Natasha reminded him gently.
"Natasha, I think you have been scammed. I know my body well. I'm not sick at all. He's just trying to scare us!"
"Since you don't believe it, why don't we make a bet?"
"What is at stake?"
"It's simple. If your disease breaks out within three days, you have to let Dustin pick anything from your
collection of valuable herbs!"
"Alright! But what if I'm fine?"
"If you're fine, you can come to the Harmon family's treasury and pick any three items!" Natasha offered boldly.
"You stated the rules. Since you're being so generous, I won't hold back!" Duane chuckled.
Everything in the Harmon family's treasury was an extraordinary item. Any three would be a rare collector's item.
"Mr. Welch, a word of advice, it's best if you don't leave Swinton in these three days. If anything happens, I can still save you in time," Dustin advised.
"What a joke! Who am I? Do I need you to save me? Even if I were sick, I would never ask you to treat me!"
Duane said contemptuously. He wouldn't even bother talking with this scammer if it weren't for the Harmon family.
"There's no point in saying more. The truth will prevail" Dustin smiled faintly without saying another word. He just hoped Duane's rare herbs collection would have what he needed.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone