After hearing Deanna's words, Old Walsh and Hassan both breathed a sigh of relief.
Old Walsh thanked her again, "Thank you, Dr. Deanna. Without you, I wouldn't have recovered so quickly."
"Old Walsh, there's no need to be so polite. Treating patients is my duty," Deanna replied coolly, her expression distant.
Old Hughes noticed that she didn't want to deal with the Walsh family, so he stepped in and said, "Alright, you've seen Deanna and checked the illness. If there's nothing else, you should leave now. Ava, come and see our guests out!"
He deliberately called out to Ava to prevent Old Walsh from having a chance to stay longer.
Knowing his cunning old friend well, Old Hughes suspected that Old Walsh had more than just a follow-up consultation in mind.
Old Walsh looked at his eager-to-dismiss friend with helplessness in his eyes.
Hassan, standing nearby, wanted to say something but was stopped by a look from Old Walsh.
Unable to speak, Hassan swallowed his words.
At this moment, Ava entered the room and gestured politely to Old Walsh and Hassan, "Please follow me."
Hassan looked at his grandfather, who remained seated, so he too stayed put.
Ava frowned slightly at their lack of movement and looked at Old Hughes for guidance.
Old Hughes ignored her and glared at the Walsh grandfather and grandson, "What? Do you plan to stay here?"
"Old boy, are you really going to kick me out?" Old Walsh asked seriously.
Old Hughes met his gaze and snorted, "You have the nerve to ask? Your family has been acting dishonorably."
Old Walsh looked helpless upon hearing this.
He then spoke slowly, "Besides asking Dr. Deanna for a follow-up, I also wanted to invite her to dinner to apologize personally. It's my fault for not managing my family well and causing her trouble. I hope Dr. Deanna will give me a chance."
He looked sincerely at Deanna as he finished speaking.
Deanna frowned slightly.
To be honest, she didn't want any further involvement with the Walsh family.
"Dinner is unnecessary. Besides, you already compensated me for the previous incident," she declined politely.
But Old Walsh insisted, "Compensation is one thing; a personal apology is another. This dinner is not just an apology but also a thank you for curing me. Without you, I wouldn't have much time left."
"Miss Jones, please accept my grandfather's invitation. If he doesn't get to apologize and thank you personally, he'll feel guilty for the rest of his life," Hassan added.
Unable to refuse their earnest request, Deanna finally agreed, "Alright then, I'll accept your invitation."
Hearing her agreement, Old Walsh smiled faintly and instructed his grandson, "Go book a restaurant."
"Yes," Hassan nodded and went to make a call.
Deanna watched him and thought she should inform Lance about not coming home tonight. She nodded to the two elders and said, "I'll make a call too."
"Calling Lance, I assume," Old Hughes teased with a smile.
Old Walsh's eyes flickered as he said, "If Mr. Mercer is available, Dr. Deanna can invite him along."
"I'll ask," Deanna replied and walked away with her phone.
The call connected quickly, and Lance's gentle voice came through, "What's up?"
"I'm at Old Hughes' place. Old Walsh is here and wants to invite us to dinner. I couldn't refuse. Do you have time tonight?" Deanna explained.
Lance apologized, "I have a social engagement tonight that I can't cancel. I won't be able to make it."
"I see. That's alright. You take care," Deanna said, feeling a bit disappointed but quickly suppressing her emotions. She reminded Lance to watch his drinking, "Don't drink too much tonight. If you can't avoid it, let Xavier drink for you."
"I know," Lance replied with a smile and gave her some instructions as well, "I'll come pick you up after my engagement or call me if you finish early."
Deanna agreed and hung up after exchanging a few more words.
Returning to the sitting room with her phone, she saw Old Walsh and Old Hughes looking at her expectantly. She said proactively, "Lance has an engagement tonight and won't be coming."
"Then forget it," Old Hughes muttered.
Old Walsh looked disappointed but said nothing.
In the evening, they prepared to leave for the restaurant.
As they stepped out of the pharmacy, a shadow darted out and stopped in front of Deanna.
It was Leticia, who was supposed to be exiled abroad.
"Miss Jones, I truly know my mistake now. Can you please not let my grandfather send me abroad?"