Chapter 168: Elena Ward Followed Secretary Carter Hurriedly to the Northland Central Hospital

Elena Ward followed Secretary Carter hurriedly to the Northland Central Hospital. The sunlight glinted off the glass façade of the building, casting sharp reflections.

"Secretary Carter, what brings you here in person?" Director Carter adjusted her glasses, surprise written across her face as she stepped forward. She had just received word of Leader Donald Lee's transfer and was busy arranging a specialist consultation.

Carter waved a hand. "Director Carter, this is Dr. Ward. The leader specifically requested she be assigned to the Traditional Medicine Department."

The director's gaze settled on Elena. The young woman wore simple clothes, her hair tied back in a plain ponytail. She looked no older than eighteen or nineteen, but her eyes held a steadiness that belied her youth.

"Dr. Ward, could you tell me about your professional background?" Director Carter offered her a cup of tea.

Elena accepted it with both hands. "Director Carter, I... didn’t graduate from medical school."

The office fell silent.

"I was supposed to report to the National Aeronautics College today," Elena admitted, pressing her lips together. "But after the leader saw my acupuncture, he thought I’d be better suited here."

Director Carter frowned slightly. The Northland Central Hospital wasn’t a place just anyone could walk into.

"Acupuncture?" She studied Elena’s slender fingers. "Could you demonstrate?"

Secretary Carter suddenly chuckled. "Perfect timing. Director, don’t you suffer from chronic rheumatism? Why not let Elena try?"

The director shot him a glare, but Elena had already pulled out her acupuncture kit, swiftly sterilizing the silver needles.

"Would you like to lie down?" Elena asked earnestly.

With a sigh, Director Carter led them into the inner restroom. As she lay down, her heart pounded—was this girl about to use her as a test subject?

Elena’s fingers pressed lightly against the director’s swollen ankle, deformed from years of pain that flared up with every rainy day.

"It might feel warm," Elena warned, just before the needle pierced the exact pressure point.

Director Carter’s eyes widened. A surge of warmth traveled from her sole upward, like soaking in a hot spring or having a heated towel pressed to the aching joint. The stiffness that had plagued her for years began to loosen, the pain ebbing away like a receding tide.

"This... this can’t be..." the director murmured. In thirty years of practice, she had never seen such immediate results.

Elena withdrew the needle, a faint smile on her lips. "Try standing."

Trembling, Director Carter rose to her feet, took a few tentative steps, then stomped firmly.

"Incredible!" She seized Elena’s hands, excitement lighting her face. "Girl, who taught you this?"

Elena only smiled and pulled a lollipop from her pocket, unwrapping it slowly.

Watching this, Secretary Carter suddenly recalled the leader’s words: "That girl is a treasure."

Outside, the wail of an ambulance grew louder. Leader Donald Lee’s transfer convoy had arrived.