Chapter 48 Gave Too Little Half an hour later, Finnegan retracted all the silver needles with his palm.
âGet up and see how it feels!â
At that, Cadmus and Benjamin hastily stepped forward to help Winston up from the bed.
However, the latter waved a hand and declined their help. âNo, itâs okay. I can get up by myself.â
Following that, he flipped over and sat up on the bed. His movements were so agile that he did not look the least bit like an elderly man who was already in his eighties. Instead, he was even more sprightly than the average sixty-year-old person.
Upon witnessing that scene, the members of the Haimowitz family were all over the moon. Benjamin was so thrilled that he could not help asking, âHow do you feel, Dad?â
Winston put on his shoes and got to his feet. He punched the air with both hands and kicked. his legs out a few times.
After doing that, he guffawed, unbelievably energetic. âI feel like Iâve gone back in time by twenty years!
Youâre really a miracle doctor, Mr. Larkin!â
Whirling around, he bowed low to Finnegan. âYouâre the Haimowitz familyâs esteemed henceforth, Mr.
Larkin. Just say the word if you need anything.â
Cadmus and the others thanked Finnegan as well.
guest Subsequently, Finnegan wrote a prescription and handed it to Winston. âWhile signs of your bodyâs aging have stopped, you still need the supplement of traditional medicine for a strong constitution. If you wake up early every day and do some exercises, thatâll extend your lifespan even further.â
âIâll definitely do as you say, Mr. Larkin!â
A brief pause ensued before Finnegan added, âAlso, the younger generation can take care of themselves. I think you should give them an opportunity to train and grow. Otherwise, theyâll never improve if theyâre used to your presence. Even if you can live to a hundred, wouldnât there be no point then?â
Winston had always been worried that his descendants were not capable enough. He was one of the few among the top ten wealthiest families in Jadeborough who had yet to retire despite being over eighty years old.
There was a tremendous correlation between him showing signs of imminent death and remaining weighed down with work in his old.
age.
Winstonâs expression froze for a moment before he turned his gaze to his sons and grandson, who all had guilt etched across their features.
Chuckling wryly, he admitted, âYouâre right, Mr. Larkin. Since Iâm old, I should retire and. enjoy life. I canât always remain in front of the younger generation to shield them from all trials and tribulations.
That will only hinder their growth instead.â
After his near brush with death, he had come to terms with things. He proceeded to declare, âNotify all major shareholders about a meeting next Monday. Itâs time for me to step down and hand Pentariver Group to you all!â
âWeâll never disappoint you! Just enjoy your golden years in peace,â Cadmus and the others. vowed abashedly.
Having accepted one hundred million as a token of appreciation and declined Winstonâs invitation to stay for lunch, Finnegan took his leave.
Winston and the rest of the Haimowitz family solemnly walked him and Bernice to the door.
No sooner did Winston notice that Finnegan came over in Berniceâs car than an idea flashed across his mind, and he queried, âYou donât have a car yet, do you, Mr. Larkin?â
At that question, slight embarrassment swept over Finnegan. âI donât have a driving license. yet.â
Everyone who had reached eighteen years old in the current era basically had a driving license.
Unfortunately, he could not drive yet as he had been deep in the mountains for five years.
In response, Winston chortled. âItâll undoubtedly be a piece of cake for you to obtain a driving license when youâre a prodigy, Mr. Larkin! Besides, someone like you doesnât need to drive yourself. You can just hire a driver.â
Then, he turned and said to Cadmus, âGo and drive the car you gave me early this year here for Mr.
Larkin as a gift. Itâs a waste for it to gather dust in the garage anyway.â
âKeep it for yourself since I canât drive, Old Mr. Haimowitz. Moreover, youâve already paid me!â
Finnegan declined.
âMr. Larkin, I consider you no less than my savior. A bit of money isnât sufficient to express my gratitude. Please donât turn this gift down. Bernice, please help me persuade Mr. Larkin to accept it!â
Bernice, who wondered whether Finnegan really received a hundred million in consultation fees, was stunned for a while.
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She turned to Finnegan and urged, âThis is Old Mr. Haimowitzâs generosity, so just take it.â
Seeing that Winston had gone as far as asking Bernice to talk him into it, Finnegan could not very well continue turning the man down. âIâll take it, then. But I donât have any use for it now, so why donât you only send it over when I need it?â
âSure. Take care, Mr. Larkin.â
It was not until Berniceâs car had disappeared into the distance that Winston retracted hist gaze. âHave Dr. Lister come and check me over to see whether Mr. Larkin can really extend someoneâs lifespan.â
That made it evident he still had some reservations about Finneganâs capabilities.
Shortly after, Cadmus made the arrangements for the Haimowitz familyâs family doctor to come over and give Winston a detailed full body checkup.
When the final results were out, the family doctor exclaimed in surprise, âHave you taken some miracle pill or something, Old Mr. Haimowitz?â
At the sight of his astonishment, Winston asked in barely restrained excitement, âSo, is there a huge difference between my condition presently and previously, Dr. Lister?â
âThe difference is tremendous! All your vitals have improved by an average of thirty percent to the usual state of an elderly man in his sixties. It wonât be a problem for you to live another ten years, Old Mr. Haimowitz!â the family doctor answered.
With his confirmation, Winstonâs entire face glowed. âSee Dr. Lister out and pay hundred thousand for making a trip over, Benjamin.â
him a After the family doctor left, the perceptive Wynter ventured, âIs there something youâd like to say, Grandpa?â
Slapping his thigh, Winston heaved a sigh. âI gave Mr. Larkin too little as a token of appreciation!â
Cadmus could not quite fathom that. âDad, I reckon even the top ten doctors in Loang. wouldnât dare accept a hundred million in consultation fees and that car. How could it be too little?â
Age-old wisdom shimmered in Winstonâs eyes. âLet me ask you a question-how much would you be willing to pay if you were to learn someone could extend your lifespan when you only had three months left to live?â
Without even thinking about it, Cadmus replied. âAny amount within my capability. After all, when one is dead, no amount of moneyâ¦â
As he spoke, understanding abruptly dawned upon him. âDad?â
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Knowing that his son had already grasped his point, Winston commented with a bitter smile, âWhat would other wealthy families in Jadeborough, those in Nuthana, and even the top. families in Loang think when even you understand that?â Not bothering to wait for Cadmus response, he continued, âTheyâll definitely go all out to make the acquaintance of a miracle doctor like Mr. Larkin, no matter the cost, for he can extend the time theyâre in possession of wealth and status at the critical juncture. The Haimowitz family already had such an opportunity, yet we gave too little!â
By then, Cadmus had discerned his fatherâs meaning completely. âIn that case, shall I write another check for five hundred million and send it to him, Dad?â
âDoing so now would be too deliberate and would incite Mr. Larkinâs aversion instead, so no!â Shaking his head, Winston sighed. âThis is on me for being an idiot, wishing to have Dr. Lister check me over first and having reservations about Mr. Larkinâs capabilities. We might not have any more chances to forge a deeper relationship with him henceforth!â
At the side, Wynter interjected smilingly, âActually, Grandpa, we still have an opportunity to forge a deeper relationship with Mr. Larkin.â
In a flash, Winstonâs eyes lit up. âWe do?â
Nodding, Wynter elaborated, âMr. Larkin has already agreed to accept the car, but he doesnât have a driving license yet and canât drive. Why donât we arrange a driver for him? Additionally, I found out during my investigation a few days ago that he harbors a deep- seated grudge against Tristan Group, for his father was crippled by Killian Chomsky. Is there something we can do about this?â
As soon as Winston heard all that from his granddaughter, he latched onto the crux of the matter in his sagacity.
âGo and order that brat, Zephyr, to come back and be Mr. Larkinâs driver henceforth. If he doesnât agree, just beat him up until he does! Also, keep an eye on Tristan Group. Once Mr. Larkin has a need for us, make a move and assist him no matter the cost! Oh yes, tell Yahir not to tie himself to Mr.
Larkinâs uncleâs family by marriage, lest those snobbish people. offend Mr. Larkin.â
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