Chapter 1641

Several staff members already stood at the door. The vibrant girl, moments before lively and full of life, now lay still, a mask covering her face, eyes closed tight. Lily's heart skipped a beat; she rushed forward.

A staff member started to push her away, but recognizing Lily, they instantly stepped aside, understanding she was about to check the child's pulse. Lily gently, almost hesitantly, placed two fingers on the girl's wrist, feeling for a beat. Debbie's pulse was weak, a chilling confirmation of Lily's fears. This mirrored Alexander's case—a seeming recovery followed by a rapid, devastating relapse within a day. This was the virus's insidious nature: a cunning dormancy followed by a sudden, brutal resurgence when the patient was most vulnerable.

As a nurse prepared an infusion needle, Lily pressed harder on Debbie's wrist. Just as the needle was about to pierce the skin, Lily stopped her.

"Don't!"

"Huh?" The room's occupants turned to her.

"Dr. Russell, her breathing is shallow. Without immediate infusion, her condition will worsen," a staff member explained, stepping forward. A division existed within the department: modern versus traditional medicine. However, traditional medicine's usage had dwindled due to its limitations and side effects, further exacerbated by internal discrimination. Most staff looked down upon it, tolerating it only for Dr. Blanc's sake and the department's image. They were stunned and displeased by Lily's intervention.

The staff member, after their explanation, moved toward Debbie with the needle. Lily immediately jumped in front of the bed, blocking the way.

"I said, no infusion! Infusing now will stimulate and accelerate the virus's spread. That's its trick."

Her seriousness was met with disbelief; laughter erupted. "Dr. Russell, do you think this is a trick? Her vital signs are dropping. Surely, even a practitioner of traditional medicine understands that inaction will endanger her life!"

Ignoring Lily, the staff member proceeded with the infusion setup.

"Please! I have experience with this! This is the virus's deception! The antibiotics will accelerate its mutation and replication. This is its most cunning phase!" Lily pleaded, her anxiety evident.