A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 380

Elissa was used to being sized up by patients because of her age, so she paid it no mind. "Mr. Cross, allow me to take your pulse and see what's going on."

At her words, Cliff's parents immediately gestured for her to sit, instructing a nearby housekeeper to bring tea and snacks.

Elissa sat beside Mr. Cross and, without asking any questions, gently placed her fingers on his wrist. The room fell silent as everyone waited for her verdict.

When she finally drew her hand back, Mr. Cross was the first to speak. "Well?"

"It's treatable," Elissa stated simply. "We can use a combination of herbal formulas and acupuncture. However, my schedule no longer permits house calls for the treatments. You will need to come to my clinic for the acupuncture sessions."

House calls were time-consuming and draining. She was reluctant to take on too many, especially for people she didn't know. She had made an exception for the Wilkinsons for strategic reasons—she needed the connection, and Rex's involvement had lowered her guard. More than that, she felt a genuine warmth toward Suzanne. Helping her never felt like a chore.

Mr. Cross, however, seemed unbothered. "That can be arranged," he said with a faint smile. "As long as it's treatable, I'll be eternally grateful."

Cliff's father looked at Elissa, surprised. "Are you certain? What are the chances of success?" He had heard his son praise her skills endlessly, but he'd always been skeptical that someone so young could be as brilliant as Cliff claimed. His original plan had been to take Mr. Cross to see Mr. Blaine, but his friend, wary of troubling the elderly master, had asked if Mr. Blaine had any gifted protégés instead.

Elissa considered for a moment. "Eighty percent."

In truth, she was being conservative. Her mentor had taught her to always leave a margin of uncertainty when speaking to patients. A cure depended as much on the patient's cooperation as it did on the doctor's skill.

Mrs. Riley clapped her hands together, delighted. "No wonder Cliff always says your skills are far superior to his. It seems medicine truly is a gift."

Elissa simply smiled. After writing out a prescription and scheduling Mr. Cross's first acupuncture appointment, she prepared to leave.

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