"I was told that coupling the medicine with acupuncture would yield even better results. My father happens to be home tonight, and I was wondering if I could trouble you to come over and check his pulse."
"The man works himself to the bone. My mother and I have tried everything, but he just won't listen to us."
"Since you're a doctor, and a young woman at that, he might be a little less stubborn with you."
"I can give it a try," Claire agreed without a second thought.
Caleb hadn't expected her to accept so readily. He had done extensive background research on Claire over the past few days, and the girl was genuinely extraordinary.
She had been recommended by Dr. Sterling Senior to perform acupuncture on General Darwin, had alleviated Lucius Lowell's chronic back pain, and was even recruited by the Harding family to treat Ewan's legs.
Rumor had it she had also cured Baldrick's severe rheumatoid arthritis.
Currently, she was also treating the patriarch of the Cole family.
Based on what he had uncovered, her medical prowess was indisputable.
Her political standing was perfectly clean, too.
Furthermore, Caleb had discovered that Claire had nearly been kidnapped and smuggled into Sundara.
Her biological parents seemed to be wrapped in layers of mystery.
If she ever wanted to track them down, he was in a position to help.
Yet, this girl showed no frantic desperation to find them. After acting as bait to draw
her enemies out, she had simply returned to her quiet life.
She was remarkably composed.
"How about I take you both out to dinner right now?"
"I can pick you up again after your afternoon classes."
Claire agreed. She considered Caleb a reliable partner and trusted he wouldn't pull anything shady.
She turned to Priscilla. "Priscilla, why don't you join us for dinner?"
Caleb had specifically addressed them both, clearly open to having an extra guest.
Priscilla hesitated. "I think I'll pass. You two go ahead."
She didn't know Caleb at all. However, there was no denying the man was devastatingly handsome.
He perfectly embodied the classic archetype of a refined, elegant gentleman.
Claire truly was amazing to have connections with people like this!
Priscilla had thought Claire's fiancé was impressive enough, but she
money knew equally exceptional
men on her own.
"You're Claire's classmate, right?
Please join us. It's just a place
the campus so it wont take mele
of your time."
Caleb's warm smile and gentle tone made him nearly impossible to refuse.
He was incredibly charismatic, framing her refusal not as an issue of awkwardness, but simply a worry over scheduling.
Ultimately, Priscilla caved and joined them for the meal.
It wasn't as awkward as she had feared, largely because the shameless Waylon Hudson had tagged along uninvited.
Though the restaurant was located near the university, Caleb certainly hadn't chosen a cheap dive.
With a high price point per person, it wasn't the kind of place college students frequented.
The establishment was somewhat of a local institution, heavily favored by the university professors.
The food was excellent, the ambiance was upscale, and it was impeccably clean.
Caleb also seemed very familiar with the owner, which explained his choice of venue.
"Caleb, how do you know the owner here?"
Waylon had noticed the receptionist staring at Caleb with a look that went far beyond customer service.
His mind immediately spun a web of gossip. Did Caleb have history with the receptionist?
If that were true, the rumors would tear through their social circle like wildfire.
After all, plenty of elite families were closely monitoring the Lewis
l.ne
household, just waiting for the day
theyannounced
they announced they were looking,
wontent
for a daughter in law. in-law.
Given Caleb's pedigree, countless heiresses were practically throwing themselves
at him.
But Caleb was relentlessly disciplined, politely rejecting every single confession.
If he hadn't, he would have had a small army of girlfriends by now.