The International Medical Association?

Upon hearing this, Ho-ran Park and Shaun Quinn were stunned for a moment.

They glanced at Vincent Vaughn and Lily Archer, then looked at each other in confusion.

Shaun Quinn realized he had gotten too worked up and formally apologized to them.

"My apologies. I misunderstood the situation."

"You must be one of Elder Hawthorne’s students as well. It’s fine. We won’t hold it against you. It’s just that Miss Wynter doesn’t currently meet our standards, so we’ll conclude things here for today." Vincent Vaughn’s tone with Shaun Quinn was a world of difference from how he had treated Wren Wynter.

It wasn’t just because Shaun was Maximus Yates’s grandson, but also because he was already well-known in their circles.

Two and a half years ago, he had single-handedly saved several hundred people in a war-torn country.

And he’d done it in a place with scarce medical supplies and underdeveloped healthcare.

Shaun Quinn’s handsome features instantly darkened. "I was in the wrong for my outburst just now, but you shouldn’t be taking it out on my junior."

"We’re not offended. It’s simply that Miss Wynter doesn’t meet our standards. If it were you, Mr. Quinn, you’d be more than welcome." Vincent Vaughn made no attempt to hide his admiration for Shaun Quinn.

"Not interested," Shaun Quinn said with disdain.

Ho-ran Park couldn’t stand seeing their junior slighted by outsiders. "Have you two made some kind of mistake? Our junior is the most gifted of all of us. How could she possibly fail to meet your standards?"

"Eldest Brother, let it go," Wren Wynter said, stopping him.

’It wasn’t as if she absolutely had to join the International Medical Association.’

’All roads lead to Rome, after all.’

’This wouldn’t stop her from treating the sick and saving lives.’

"Why should we let it go?" Ho-ran Park didn’t want Wren to lose this opportunity, and he certainly didn’t want her to suffer such an injustice. "You are the most gifted among us. Besides, not just anyone can be a student of our master."

As he spoke, he turned to Vincent Vaughn and Lily Archer. His gentle tone was inexplicably intimidating. "I’m extremely curious—what exactly are these standards you two keep mentioning?"

The question left Vincent Vaughn at a loss for words.

He had, it seemed, jumped to the conclusion that Wren Wynter was just someone trying to use her connections to get into the International Medical Association.

And so, he had simply assumed she wasn’t qualified.

’Now that I think about it,’ he mused, ’given Elder Hawthorne’s criteria for disciples, could anyone who becomes his student truly be ordinary?’

"Our junior earned her dual doctorates from Crestwood Medical School at age twenty. Her papers have been published in several authoritative international medical journals. And at twenty-two, she independently performed a brain tumor surgery that had a success rate of less than five percent."

Ho-ran Park calmly recited Wren Wynter’s achievements one by one.

With every accomplishment he listed, Vincent Vaughn and Lily Archer grew more astonished.

"Twenty-two?" Vincent was shocked, then indignant. "That’s impossible! I hadn’t even graduated from medical school at twenty-two. How could she perform a surgery that difficult?" He grew angry. "You people will say anything to cover for Miss Wynter!"

"If you don’t believe it, look it up." Shaun Quinn shot Vincent a cold glare, utterly contemptuous of his refusal to acknowledge someone else’s excellence.

Vincent Vaughn’s face turned livid.

Lily Archer, however, wore a thoughtful expression.

She glanced at the equally composed Wren Wynter, and then at Ho-ran Park and Shaun Quinn.

’A major surgery like that would be documented online. A simple search would expose any lie.’

’And as Elder Hawthorne’s students, they wouldn’t need to.’

’Besides, Shaun Quinn and Ho-ran Park are exceptional in their own right; they have no reason to debase themselves just to build someone else up.’

Lily Archer patted Vincent Vaughn’s shoulder.

Vincent Vaughn immediately adopted a respectful demeanor and stepped back behind her.

"I apologize. My subordinate was out of line and has wronged you, Miss Wynter." She continued, "I am Lily Archer, head of the International Medical Association’s branch in Cathay. Elder Hawthorne’s students are all exceptionally gifted. To lead a major operation like a brain tumor removal at the age of twenty-two is truly remarkable." She then asked, "Miss Wynter, forgive my forwardness, but were you afraid at the time?"

Wren Wynter raised an eyebrow slightly. "Do you think a surgeon is ever afraid to operate on their patient?"

This absolute confidence earned Lily Archer’s admiration.

She smiled, and the look she gave Wren was no longer scrutinizing, but filled with appreciation.

"I understand. However, the Cathay branch of the International Medical Association is currently at full capacity. If you don’t mind, Miss Wynter, you might consider Doctors Without Borders."

"Doctors Without Borders?"

"Yes. Doctors Without Borders is an independent, international medical humanitarian organization. Currently, Cathay has over ten thousand members, with more than three thousand dispatched annually. They provide emergency aid to populations affected by armed conflicts, epidemics, and natural disasters."

"If you’re interested, Miss Wynter, I suggest you consider it. You can learn more as a member of Doctors Without Borders than you can with the International Medical Association."

At her words, Wren Wynter fell into deep thought.

The mission of Doctors Without Borders aligned perfectly with her own ideals.

’Since I can’t join the International Medical Association, becoming a part of Doctors Without Borders isn’t a bad alternative.’

’It’s just that I have a lot on my plate right now. I’ll sign up once I’ve handled everything.’

No one noticed that Shaun Quinn’s brow had furrowed deeply as he listened to Lily Archer speak.

"Alright. Thank you, Miss Archer. I’ll consider it."

Lily Archer nodded. "Then we’ll be on our way. I look forward to our next meeting, Miss Wynter."

"Goodbye." As Wren Wynter watched them leave, she couldn’t help but become lost in thought.

"Get out!"

But Shaun Quinn’s voice snapped Wren Wynter out of her reverie.

She saw him angrily confronting Maximus Yates. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Agreeing to return to the Yates Family had been his final compromise.

"Shaun, I’m your grandfather. Must you speak to me this way?" Maximus Yates’s face was etched with pain.

Shaun was his only grandson, yet the boy seemed to harbor a deep-seated hostility toward everyone in the Yates Family.

Worried that Shaun might upset the old man to the point of a health crisis, Ho-ran Park quickly pulled him aside and motioned for him to calm down.

"Grandpa Yates, you should head back for now," Wren said, also worried.

Maximus Yates glanced back at Shaun, whose back was turned. "Alright, young lady. I’ll leave him in your hands, then."

Only after Maximus Yates had left did Wren turn to look at Shaun.

"Second Brother, why do you have to provoke Grandpa Yates? You’re still family, no matter what. Don’t wait until..."

She left the rest unsaid.

’I wonder if Kaden Xavier has found the killer.’

"He doesn’t deserve it," Shaun said coldly. "And you should stay away from them, too."

"Alright, alright, let’s not talk about such upsetting things," Ho-ran Park said gently as he packed Wren’s belongings. "Our junior is being discharged today. How about we go out and celebrate?"

Wren was about to refuse, but when she thought about how much her senior brothers had cared for her recently, she knew she had to treat them.

"Eldest Brother, I..."

"I know, no alcohol. It’ll just be a simple meal with your brothers. Is that too much to ask?" Ho-ran Park huffed. "Casting us aside after we’ve served our purpose. What an ingrate."