Chapter 8 Do You Think I Will Believe That âWhat have you done to me, Finnegan?â Killian roared, enduring the agonizing pain shooting up his limbs as his bodyguards helped him up.
Finnegan shrugged. âDonât push the blame on me when I havenât been anywhere near you. As for your condition, itâs likely karma. Itâs your fault for having committed so many evil deeds in the past.â
Killian did not believe in karma, but the excruciating agony rendered him powerless to pursue the truth.
âHurry up and send me to the hospital!â
As Finnegan watched the man leave in a wretched state, his eyes glinted with murderous intent.
He could have killed Killian right away, but he felt that he would be letting the latter off too. lightly to do so.
He wanted Killian to experience despair in his pain and suffering and then finally agree to the terms proposed earlier.
But even after he had done so, Finnegan had no plans of sparing him or the Chomsky family, He was merely giving Killian a shed of hope. In the end, he would dash it to smithereens to intensify the despair within Killian.
âFinny, does Killianâs condition really have nothing to do with you?â Quiana asked.
She was terrified after having been oppressed by Killian in the past.
She feared the manâs retribution and was afraid that their family would not be able to withstand it.
To keep his parents from worrying, Finnegan calmly assured them he had nothing to do with it. Only then did Quiana and Desmond breathe sighs of relief.
Contrarily, Bernice knew that it was undoubtedly Finneganâs doing. Smartly enough, she did not point it out.
âThese are the medicinal herbs you wanted, Finnegan. My dad has gathered the entire list for you.
Take a look and see whether theyâre correct Finnegan reached out and took the medicinal herbs from her. While at that, his fingers accidentally touched hers. She reflexively pulledak, her face flushing bright red.
Whoa! How sensitive!
Finnegan took a sniff at the package through the wrapping. Immediately, he could tell that the contents were indeed the medicinal herbs he wanted, and their quantities were also accurate. âEverythingâs in order.â
A flash of surprise fleeted across Berniceâs eyes. She had never seen anyone who could tell medicinal herbs by kind and quantity through a layer of paper.
âHave a seat, Ms. Zimmerman. Do have lunch here if youâre free today.â
Already familiar with Bernice after the past five years, Quiana pulled her to the side for a seat. Then she ordered Finnegan, âGo and get Ms. Zimmerman a glass of water.â
Hearing that, Bernice hurriedly said, âSit down as well, Finnegan. Iâm not thirsty.â
âNo, thanks. Iâm going to sort these medicinal herbs out first.â
Finnegan strode into the house after saying that, stunning Bernice to the core.
As one of the Four Beauties of Jadeborough, many men had tried finding opportunities to spend time in her presence. Right then, however, the man went into the house without even sparing her a glance. A sense of defeat swamped her since she had always been confident in her allure.
That aside, she had actually come over to seek him out that day because she had something: to say to him.
Unfortunately, it was inappropriate for her to follow him into the house in front of Desmond and Quiana.
She could only sit there and talk with the couple.
At noon, she stayed at the Larkin residence for lunch. Finnegan also came out of his room.
No sooner had he taken a seat than Quiana said excitedly, âFinny, Ms. Zimmerman just said. you could work at Firebird Group as her assistant. Youâd generally be driving her around and compiling information. The pay would be fifteen thousand a month.â
âQuick, thank Ms. Zimmerman. Otherwise, you wouldnât even be able to work as a grunt at Firebird Group, considering your education level,â Desmond urged.
Bernice gazed at Finnegan with hopeful eyes.
Besides her desire to repay the debt of gratitude that she owed him, there was another embarrassing reason behind that decision she made. Regretfully, she was too shy to tell the couple about it.
Unexpectedly, Finnegan turned it down without the slightest hesitation. âMom, Dad, donât 25 worry about my matters. I plan to establish a small clinic in the near future. Please donât feel obliged to me either, Ms. Zimmerman. I didnât save you because I hoped that youâd repay me. Besides, youâve done more than enough throughout the past few years. Weâre even!â
âThat wasnât what I meant, Finnegan. I just wantedâ¦â
Bernice trailed off with her face the color of a ripe tomato, too embarrassed to speak of her other reason.
Quiana smacked Finnegan. âWhy are you so ungrateful, Finny? Rhia offered to introduce a girlfriend to you, but you declined. Now, Ms. Zimmerman arranged a job for you, yet you refused again. Are you trying to get me and your father to burst a blood vessel?â
For their entire lives, the couple had been hoping that their children could accomplish something in life.
That went doubly for Finnegan.
After the incident five years ago, they were all the more determined to see him lead a better life, having both a family and a career.
Alas, he was neither diligent in looking for a wife nor a job.
Finnegan flashed his mother a wry smile. âMom, Iâve saved some money from utilizing my medical skills in the past few years, and Iâm really planning to open a small clinic. I donât want to look for other jobs. As for a girlfriend, Iâm only twenty-three years old, so thereâs no rush!â
âYou may not be in a hurry, but your father and I are frantic!â
Even Desmond seconded, âI wonât nag you about a job since you have a plan, but the matter of a girlfriend has to be put on the agenda. After all, young people nowadays only get married after dating for a while. If you find someone, then date her for two years. Itâll be about the right time for you to tie the knot.â
Aware that his parents would never stop harping on it if he did not compromise, Finnegan relented, answering, âOkay. You donât need to worry about me getting a job. As for a girlfriend, let Rhia make the arrangements, but then you canât blame me if the girl doesnât like me.â
Beaming wide, Quiana replied, âSure. Weâre good as long as you agree to go on the blind date.â
At that turn of events, a helpless smile bloomed on Berniceâs face. âAre you really not interested in being my assistant at Firebird Group. Finnegan?â
âThank you for the offer, Ms. Zimmerman, but Im still inclined toward establishing a small clinic.â
Despite feeling helpless inwardly, Bernice had no choice but to give up. âAll right, then, but thereâs something you must agree to. My parents would like to invite you to dinner tomorrow night to thank you.â
Having rebuffed her once, Finnegan could not very well do so a second time, much less when his parents had turned her down repeatedly. âIâll go over tomorrow night, then.â
After lunch, Bernice tarried briefly before excusing herself to return to the office. Quiana had Finnegan see her out.
When they arrived beside her car, Bernice asked, âWhat did you do to Killian, Finnegan?â
In truth, Killianâs condition was a result of Finnegan stimulating the acupoints on all four of the manâs limbs with silver needles. They would twist and contort for ten minutes every hour for the entire day.
Above all, even the most advanced medical equipment would never be able to diagnose the cause.
Finnegan did not plan on admitting to that. âIt was karma!â
âDo you think Iâll believe that?â
Placing her hands behind her back, Bernice tilted her head and blinked mischievously.
Finnegan was instantly mesmerized by her playful and adorable expression to the point that he forgot to answer her.
Why does she have so many sides to her? Sheâs gentle and ethereal yet forceful and domineering.
Seemingly realizing that she had acted overly intimate with him, Bernice reverted to her usual self, her cheeks stained faintly crimson. âUh⦠Itâs okay if you donât want to tell me about it. Iâll go back to the office first. Iâll be waiting for you to visit me tomorrow.â
Jolted out of his thoughts, Finnegan murmured in acquiescence.
Bernice swung open the car door and climbed in. She then called out to Finnegan, who had already turned around, âAre you really going on a blind date tomorrow?â
A headache assailed Finnegan when he heard that. âMy parents already relented about me finding a job, so I canât really disobey them regarding that as well.â
âThen you probably wonât take an interest in the girl, right?â
âHuh?â
Her face flaming even hotter and her mind a jumbled mess. Bernice started the car |||
âNothing. Iâll be leaving first. Call me if Killian comes looking for trouble.â
While staring at the car speeding off into the distance, Finnegan wondered, âWhat was with that inexplicable question? But⦠sheâs pretty cute!â