In response, everyone raised their glasses.
Jack chugged his drink before continuing. “Given how many years of experience all of you have, I’m sure you’re aware of what it means to be a practitioner of medicine. A doctor helps the weak, saves the dying, and gives people hope. That is all there is to it. One who chooses this path should never expect anything in return!”
All the doctors glanced at each other resolutely. “Expect nothing in return!” they all chimed in.
“And that’s precisely why the Damaris family started this project,” Jack declared with a raised voice. “It’s our honor to be able to gain your support, and we’ll be sure not to let you down. In light of this project, my family has decided to release our collection of books with the hope that they will further assist everyone in expanding their research in traditional medicine. Let us work together to unearth Chanaea’s rich medical philosophy and make traditional medicine well-known across the globe!”
Emotion swirled within the hearts of every audience member, and their expressions turned grave.
Everyone looked visibly excited at the mention of the Damaris family disclosing its books.
The atmosphere of the banquet reached an all-time high thanks to Jack’s speech, and all the attention was now on him.
Even those who hadn’t joined him and the other doctors previously had long heard rumors about how exceptional he was in both wisdom and elegance.
There were some among the crowd who were initially unconvinced given how much younger Jack was compared to them, but they had still chosen to show up since he was a member of the Damaris family.
Yet, they now finally began to let go of their preconceived judgments after hearing what he had to say. They also felt increasingly assured about the two young doctors sitting next to him.
He doesn’t look like the kind who’ll let them sit next to him just because he’s close to them. “On another note, I apologize for my oversight. Allow me to re-introduce these two seated next to me.”
Jack’s voice rang out again in the midst of the audience’s puzzlement.
Everyone’s gazes then fell on Roxanne and Larry once more.
The two of them eyed Jack instead, unsure of what he was about to say. The latter flashed them a smile before turning to the audience.
“All of you seated here are basically taking part in the project initiated by my family’s research institute. This lady next to me is Roxanne Jarvis. Dr. Jarvis is an exemplary student of Professor Harvey Lambert. She came back to Chanaea under his advice to manage VR Research Institute, and she’ll also be one of the few working with the Damaris family this time around.”
Then, Jack began to introduce Larry.
“I’m sure you’ve all heard of Dr. Larry Morrison. Not only is he the heir of the Morrison family, but he’s also made great accomplishments in the field of medicine. and is known for this internationally. With his participation, we’ll be receiving financial support from the Morrison family too.”
As soon as Jack’s words fell, all the doubt in the crowd’s eyes vanished and was now. replaced with astonishment and veneration. While not many people had heard of Roxanne, Harvey was considered at legend.
The fact that he had asked this student of his to manage a research institute on her own showed how highly he regarded her. That was also a testament to her abilities.
As for Larry, most members of the audience had heard of him but had never had the chance to see him in person.
No one had expected two youngsters who looked like they came from distinguished backgrounds to possess such capabilities.
It’s no wonder even Dr. Hopp asked for her advice!
Yet, Roxanne and Larry had no intention of showing off, and they remained humble in the face of all these elders.
When Jack was done introducing them. the two stood up and addressed the crowd, “I hope we can all get along, and please feel free to correct us if we make any mistakes.”
The other doctors sighed in amazement at their modesty.
“I had the privilege of working with them during the previous consultation, and I dare say that the future of medicine in Chanaea sure looks promising with people like them around!”
As the person who had spent the longest time with Roxanne and Larry, Daniel couldn’t help but rise and speak up for them in admiration.
The crowd nodded in agreement.
“Dr. Jarvis, Dr. Morrison, please excuse my rudeness from before. I hope you won’t take it to heart,” someone apologized. The two youngsters beamed. “Not at all! We’re young, so it’s only natural that you have your doubts.”
More people began to express their amity toward Roxanne and Larry. It wasn’t long before the ambiance of the room grew harmonious and relaxed.
Jack waited a while longer, and after seeing Roxanne and Larry return to their seats, he began to introduce the other doctors. Every figure here had some achievements in the medical field, so a mere mention of his or her was more than sufficient.
Soon, everyone felt nothing but respect for one another, not to mention the anticipation of their upcoming collaboration..
Now that official talks were out of the way, the audience moved to light-hearted) topics, striking up conversations with those they were well-acquainted with.
Despite not being a fan of socializing, Jack took the lead and headed to the middle of the crowd with a wine glass in hand.
Roxanne and Larry clinked glasses with all the elders there before returning to their seats. “It looks like the collaboration will go well,” Larry commented, grinning.
Roxanne nodded in response and shot a glance at Jack, who was among the crowd. The man deserved all the credit for creating such a lovely atmosphere.
I thought he was just a good doctor. I didn’t think he’d make such a capable leader too. Then again, it’s no surprise. If the future heir of the great Damaris family can’t even control a crowd like this, there’s no way Old Mr. Damaris would ever approve of him.
Just as everyone chatted away happily, the door to the banquet hall suddenly flew open.
The crowd instinctively looked toward the entrance, only to watch a group of young, aristocratic women make their way in.
The one in the lead wore a long, pure white off-shoulder fishtail dress. At a quick glance, one wouldn’t be able to tell if she was a real classy lady or just trying to be one.
“Jack! What a coincidence!” the woman greeted coyly, striding over to Jack. “Indeed, Jessica,” Jack replied with a polite smile.
The Damaris family shared good relations with the Hightowers. Jessica Hightower, the eldest daughter of her family, was two years older than Jack. The two had been getting along fairly well in recent years.
Even so, Jack was slightly displeased to see her barge in like this with her clique.
This was a banquet for the Damaris family’s future allies, after all. It was also an event held for official business. Hence, Jessica’s arrival was rather untimely.
Despite that, the man kept these thoughts to himself. “This is?” someone asked in confusion.
Jack composed himself and introduced the woman nonchalantly, “This is Jessica Hightower. She’s the heiress of the Hightower family.”
With a grin, Jessica waved at the audience. “I just so happen to be having a party with my girls next door and heard that Jack was here, so I thought I’d drop by to say hi. I hope I’m not being a bother!”
Seeing that she knew Jack and learning from their prior experience with Roxanne and Larry, the crowd broke into a wide smile, not daring to mistreat this woman.
Suddenly, someone nudged Jessica, signaling her to look in Roxanne’s direction. Jessica’s face clouded over instantly. What is such a pretty girl like her doing here? And it looks like she’s sitting right next to Jack too!
“If you’re fine with it, can we join you?” Jessica slowly looked away from Roxanne and smiled at the others.
Upon hearing that, the people shared a look with each other. They were already done talking about the main topic, and the woman was close to Jack, so they could not possibly reject her.
The people nodded at Jack to gesture to him that they did not mind. Seeing that, Jack had no choice but to agree to it. “Join us, then.”
He then asked the server to add another seat.
Jessica headed straight for the space that Jack had made. Then, as if finally seeing Roxanne, she glanced at Roxanne with a shocked expression before turning to look at Jack in confusion. “Is this lady with you?”
Jack nodded in affirmation. “This is Dr. Jarvis.”
Roxanne did not know what Jessica was thinking about; she thought Jessica was doubting her abilities like the other doctors, so she smiled and greeted, “You can just call me Dr. Jarvis.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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