Of course, you couldn't be that blunt with a patient.
"Mr. Foster, your condition is a direct result of your work environment."
"Without knowing exactly what radioactive elements you've been exposed to, I have no starting point for treatment."
"Even if I forced myself to prescribe something, it would only offer temporary relief."
"Your devotion to your work-your inability to leave that toxic environment-is exactly why you're at death's door."
Frederick understood perfectly.
Either she needed to know what the radioactive element was so she could research it and potentially create a cure...
Or he needed to leave his work environment and stay by her side long-term for treatment.
Needless to say, Frederick was overthinking things.
In reality, Claire had zero intention of curing him.
Prolonged exposure to radioactive elements was essentially a death sentence.
Even if she could suppress the symptoms, it could never be fully cured.
Furthermore, Claire didn't even know if Frederick Foster was a decent human being.
What if he was total scum?
He had, after all, defected from Solenia to Sundara and changed his name.
The man could very well be a traitor.
Claire knew she was assuming the worst, but she was already planning to call Dane the second she left the hotel, asking him to contact Walden and look into this guy's background.
She felt it was best to proactively report unpredictable variables like him.
Otherwise, it would be too easy for someone to accuse her of colluding with him. Even though espionage investigations weren't as draconian as they used to be, news still occasionally broke about corporate spies being rooted out of major companies.
Even national broadcasting networks had uncovered spies in their ranks before, hadn't they?
Claire's caution was entirely justified.
But while she was dead set on turning him in, Frederick was equally dead set on dragging her to Sundara.
Keeping Claire close was his only chance to extend his life.
Even if she couldn't cure him, having her in his grasp meant he wouldn't lack leverage against Solenia!
His gaze locked onto her face. "I wonder if you've ever considered studying in a different country, Dr. James."
"I know you're aiming for The Cabinda University, but Sundara has several exceptional institutions as well."
"Students from Cabinda study abroad all the time. You could apply for a two-year exchange program at our top university."
"I would personally handle all the logistics; you wouldn't have to worry about a thing."
"Rest assured, I wouldn't just secure
sne
your exchange spot-I'd cover every
every
dime of your ving expenses for those two years."
"Not only that, but I would pay you a massive consultation fee."
"Trust me, the amount I'm offering will more than satisfy you." He had already looked into Claire's past. She hadn't grown up carefree in the James family back in Apex
Even after her true identity as the
Churchill family's granddaughternet
was revealed did that mean she was completely financially secure?
Who would ever turn down millions of dollars?
A massive dynasty like the Churchills was bound to be plagued by vicious internal rivalries, right?
Without any real capital of her own, what advantage could Claire possibly have in that snake pit?
Whatever she wanted, he could afford to give her.
He didn't believe for a second that this girl wouldn't be tempted.
Claire?
Sorry, she wasn't tempted in the slightest.
"I apologize, Mr. Foster, but I have no intention of studying abroad, nor do I want to
be an exchange student."
"Although I am currently studying modern medicine, I have absolute faith in the quality of education in our own country."
Oh, right—he had almost forgotten that Claire studied modern medicine.
Frederick had been so focused on Melanie telling him about Claire's incredible skills
in holistic medicine.
"Dr. James, you study modern medicine, but how long has Solenia even been practicing it?"