Chapter 47 Is That So Difficult To Attain The next morning, Finnegan received a call from Bernice asking him out for breakfast.
After washing up quickly, he left the hotel under the aggrieved gaze of Alisha, who had already prepared breakfast, rushing to the agreed location.
It was an ordinary diner.
âWhy did you ask me out?â
As soon as Finnegan had taken a seat, he tossed that question out with utter chagrin written on his face.
Bernice was stunned for a moment, at a loss as to the manâs sudden temper.
Mulling it over for a while, she reckoned it was because of the incident last night and hastily explained, âI know Grandpa must have said something unpleasant yesterday night since he made me leave. But his words donât represent my stand. It wasnât that I didnât want to call you after that, but Grandma confiscated my phone right after Iâd sent Grandpa back.â
At the sight of her anxiety, Finnegan could no longer keep up the act. His lips curved into a smile. âIâm not angry about the incident last night, silly. Itâs just that I shouldâve been the one to ask you out. How could you be the first to ask me out when youâre a princess?â
Following that, Bernice fell silent and blinked her eyes.
The instant she registered his meaning, she flushed bright red and chided softly, âMeanie! Youâre teasing me again!â
Chortling, Finnegan poured her a glass of milk. âThatâs because I like you. Besides, youâre the only person I tease. I donât do so with other girls, not even giving them a second glance. Moreover, this isnât teasing but sweet talking.â
Whoa! Heâs truly an expert at flirting, huh?
Bernice blushed even harder. She muttered with a snort, âIâm not talking to you anymore, Meanie. All you do is pick on me.â
âThat shows how much I care about you!â
Finneganâs honeyed words had a thrill course through Bernice, but she feigned displeasure. âHow glib!
Donât think Iâm going to accept you just because of this. Iâm exceedingly difficult to pursue.â
Grinning, Finnegan asserted, âItâs okay. Youâve already taken the first step, so Iâll finish the remaining ninety-nine steps, even if it means crawling all the way to you. Iâll hold your hand until the end of time!â
Bernice never expected him to be able to tease her every other sentence, and her face flamed even hotter.
She hurriedly changed the subject so as to avoid making a fool of herself later out of embarrassment.
âLetâs not talk about that anymore. Hurry up and eat. Then, weâll go to Jerome Medical Clinic for a look.
Mr. Magnussen has straightened up the place and is waiting for you to decide on a date to open its doors for business.â
If she had not mentioned that, Finnegan would have really forgotten all about it.
âI might not have time to go over in the morning. Iâve got to make a trip to the Haimowitz residence to treat Old Mr. Haimowitz since they called last night,â he admitted.
Back at Jerome Medical Clinic, Bernice had known that he planned to treat Winston.
But upon recalling his request, she asked, âAre you really going to demand a hundred million from the Haimowitz family?â
âIs there a problem with that?â
Seeing his nonchalance, Bernice was torn between laughter and exasperation. âEven the head of the top ten doctors in Loang, the president of Loang Medical Council, Darius Hicks, wouldnât dare ask for a hundred million, Meanie. I think itâs too much!â
Conversely, Finnegan curled his lips and countered, âIt might be too much for others, but that has nothing to do with me. Besides, the minimum fee for any rich person seeking treatment from me starts from a hundred million, and it even depends on my mood. That aside, the patriarch of the Haimowitz family himself contacted me. That means they accepted my terms. Whatâs there to fear?â
âBut⦠Oh well, never mind. Iâll go with you. Then, weâll go to Jerome Medical Clinic together.â
Subsequently, Finnegan brought Bernice, who feared that he would offend the Haimowitz. family, to the Haimowitz residence.
By then, Winston was already waiting at the mansion gates with his eldest son, Cadmus Haimowitz, second son, Benjamin Haimowitz, eldest grandson, Felix Haimowitz, and eldest granddaughter, Wynter Haimowitz.
When Bernice saw such a grand welcome, surprise showed on her face.
Whoa! Even if the mayor of Jadeborough were to pay the Haimowitz family a visit, they likely wouldnât all be here to greet him, no?
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âMr. Larkin, Ms. Zimmerman.â
The moment they alighted from the car, Winston immediately stepped forward with his family and greeted them.
Finnegan merely grunted placidly in acknowledgment. On the contrary, Bernice responded courteously, âOld Mr. Haimowitz!â
Winston inclined his head a fraction before ushering the pair into the mansion alongside his family.
While doing so, he apologized, âIâm really sorry about the incident during the engagement party yesterday, Mr. Larkin. My nephew and his family were truly hopeless to have slighted you and your parents. Iâve already taught them a lesson and told them to be more perceptive to avoid being duped again. If youâre still unsatisfied, Iâll dismiss them from the company.â
Surprise flooded Bernice, for Winstonâs attitude toward Finnegan was simply mind-boggling.
It was not just him either. The look in the eyes of the rest of the Haimowitz family was similarly very much polite and even respectful as they regarded Finnegan.
Hmm? Is there something else about him that Iâm unaware of?
Still as calm as ever, Finnegan replied, âIâve heard about everything that went down after I was taken away yesterday, Old Mr. Haimowitz. Youâve already done enough. As such, thereâs no need to mention it anymore. Right now, letâs find a room for me to treat you. I still have something to do later.â
Pausing briefly, he glanced back over his shoulder. âMs. Haimowitz, please bring Ms. Zimmerman around first, lest she gets bored.â
There were some things he still did not want Bernice to know as he wanted their relationship. to be simpler in nature.
Since he had said that much, Wynter walked over. âLetâs go to my room, Ms. Zimmerman.â
Bernice actually wanted to tag along, but she had no way of declining the invitation then. Speechlessly shooting Finnegan a glare, she left with Wynter.
In no time, a room was arranged for the treatment session. Only Winston, his two sons, and his grandson remained in the room.
Winston started, âMr. Larkin, Iâve been to many doctors, and they all said that my condition is a natural progression of life. In other words, my end is near. Hence, donât put too much. pressure on yourself.
After all, everyone dies eventually. No one can escape that fate.â
But of course, he still wanted to live two more years if possible.
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His two sonsâ capabilities were limited, and his eldest grandson, Felix, was still young. Thus, the Haimowitz family still needed him at the helm.
In the face of all that, Finnegan merely asked, âHave you prepared a hundred million?â
âWeâve already prepared the money as per your request, Mr. Larkin,â Cadmus answered at the side.
Hearing that, Finnegan declared, âIndeed, Old Mr. Haimowitz is nearing the end of his life. Under normal circumstances, he would pass away peacefully within three months. But seeing that youâve already prepared a hundred million, I can extend his lifespan by another ten years.â
The signs Winston was exhibiting were exactly the same as Howardâs, but the formerâs condition was far better.
Furthermore, he was in relatively good health. For that reason, a single session of treatment sufficed to activate his latent vitality and extend his lifespan by another ten years.
When the members of the Haimowitz family heard that blithe statement, they were all shocked.
Winstonâs second son, Benjamin, could not resist querying, âAre you serious, Mr. Larkin? My father can still live for ten years?â
They had sought out plenty of renowned doctors, and two among the line-up were even among the top ten doctors in Loang. Yet, none could do anything about Winstonâs condition.
âIs that so difficult to attain?â Finnegan questioned in return.
Coupled with some of my pills, itâd even be a piece of cake for me to extend his lifespan by another twenty years.
Winston wore a delighted expression on his face. âThank you in advance, then, Mr. Larkin. As long as you can really have me live for a few more years, the Haimowitz family will definitely go all out whenever you have need of us henceforth!â
Without further ado, Finnegan motioned for Winston to take off his shirt and lie down.
On the heels of that, he took out a set of silver needles. At lightning speed, he stopped the drain of the latterâs vitality before activating his bodyâs potential, as he did with Howard.
With a flick of his finger, the tinkle of silver needles drifted into the air in concert.
Winstonâs complexion turned ruddy, and the sense of heaviness at his chest abated distinctly. He felt as though he was infused with energy.
All that aside, the gray hair at his temples was visibly turning black from the roots themselves.
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The eyes of the members of the Haimowitz family went wide, and their slight skepticism carlier morphed into shock.