"If you stay in Solenia, you still have a sliver of hope. If you return to Sundara, you're at the mercy of their medical system.
"1
Frederick had known she would say no.
His desperate rambling was just born of bitter reluctance.
Now that Claire had firmly rejected him again, a strange sense of finality settled over him.
"I'll need to think about staying in Solenia. However, I should be here for a little while longer."
"Would you be willing to treat me during that time?"
Claire looked at him. "I suppose I can, but I highly recommend you don't get your hopes up."
"Why?" Frederick had already exhausted every elite doctor in Sundara.
He had only turned to Solenia's holistic medicine out of sheer desperation.
And now Claire was telling him not to bother?
"My skills aren't exactly top-tier. Given your condition... you'd be better off trying your luck in Cabinda."
Frederick's mouth twitched. If he could safely waltz into Cabinda, would he be sitting here begging her?
Claire had a unique background, sure, but she still couldn't compare to the legendary national physicians in the capital.
But the second he showed his face in Cabinda and sought out high-profile doctors, his cover would be blown.
He hadn't even planned to come back to Solenia; he only flew straight to Apex because Melanie told him Claire had returned to her hometown.
"I'll consider it."
"But I must trouble you to try your best in the meantime."
"Melanie told me you're incredible with acupuncture. Can't we at least try it for my condition?"
Claire stared at him. It wasn't that she couldn't try it; she just really didn't want to.
"I didn't bring my silver needles today. And with a condition as severe as yours, acupuncture would only provide mild pain relief."
"We should start with medicinal herbs to stabilize your system."
"Only when your body is strong enough will it be able to handle the intensity of my acupuncture."
Was that true?
Frederick didn't entirely buy it, but he had no other options.
So, he asked her to write down a prescription.
"I'll have Melanie bring you a pen and paper. Write it down, and she'll go pick up the herbs."
"However, no one here knows how to brew traditional medicine. Could you help us with that?"
"Don't worry, I'll have Melanie shadow you and learn the process." Before Claire could object, Frederick was already calling Melanie.
She hurried in, and upon hearing about the prescription, immediately suggested they just pay a pharmacy. to brew it and deliver it to the hotel.
But before she could get the words
thee could get the words
out,
cut in. "Melanie,
Let Dr. James rest get
for a bit. FindNovel.net
here
"When you get back, she's going to teach you how to brew it."
"I hear if it's not brewed perfectly, the efficacy drops significantly."
Melanie would never defy her mentor. "Yes, Professor."
Frederick nodded in satisfaction,
then turned back to Claire. "This
Melanie always insists
girl,
taking
care of me herself.
"She'd never feel at ease letting a stranger handle my medication."
Claire didn't care enough to decide if that was a lie or not. She just nodded.
Melanie walked out with Claire, settling her in the living room to rest.
Then, she turned her sights on Dewitt, who was sitting there silently.
"Dewitt, would you mind coming with me to pick up the herbs? I'm not familiar with Apex."
"I've heard some pharmacies try to pass off inferior ingredients."
"Since you're a local, could you help me out?"
Melanie was usually flawless at manipulating men.
She wasn't jaw-droppingly beautiful, but she had a pure, innocent look that triggered
a man's protective instincts.