A Healer’s Journey (Finnegan and Nuthana)

Chapter 24

Chapter 24 Do Not Call Me Darling

As everyone speculated about Finnegan’s identity, the man took Bernice’s hand and strolled out of the restaurant.

When they were about to reach the car, Bernice asked, “Is my hand nice to hold?”

Having gradually grown closer to her, Finnegan quipped with a chuckle, “My girlfriend’s hand is fair and smooth, so it’s naturally nice to hold.”

Bernice flushed bright red and retracted her hand. “I only said that to protect you. You’ve got to work harder if you want me to be your girlfriend.”

She was gentle and enchanting yet had a forceful side to her at times.

While she was from an affluent family, she was not condescending like the typical heiress. Instead, she was very much approachable.

At that very moment, her shy expression was also incredibly adorable.

Finnegan could not help but fall for her. “In other words, I still have a chance of winning you over as long as I work harder?”

Bernice’s eyes flickered imperceptibly. “Didn’t you say that matching family backgrounds is crucial? Can you overcome all feelings of inferiority and pursue me without bothering about others’ criticisms?”

“Why can’t I pursue you if I have the confidence to close the gap between us?”

Considering his medical skills and the connections he had built in the past few years, Finnegan believed that he could totally be on par with the Zimmerman family, given sufficient time.

Nonetheless, a question then popped into his mind. “But you’re not giving me a chance because I once saved you, right?” If it were a relationship that stemmed from gratitude, he would not pursue her, even if he had some feelings for her.

Blinking, Bernice replied, “I’m not the kind of person who’d give myself up for a debt of gratitude. It’s just that I don’t hate it if you want to pursue me, and I can give you a chance. So, do you want to try and conquer me?”

She herself was surprised when she said such words. In the past, she felt that it was brazen for a girl to act in such a manner.

However, she was willing to voluntarily take the first step since it was Finnegan.

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Finnegan’s eyes lit up. “Yes. I’ll definitely conquer you and have you beg for mercy on the balcony, in the bathroom, and on the floorboards.

Bernice said nothing, lost for a moment.

The instant she perceived his meaning, her face flamed. Lifting her hand, she smacked the man. “What a rogue! Mrs. Larkin said you’d got excellent grades and character since young But from the look of things now, you’d been faking it in the past.”

Holding her hand, Finnegan flashed her a devilish smile. “Women love bad boys, no?”

Bernice blushed even hotter. She quickly pushed him away and climbed into the car. “I’m not talking to you anymore! Also, call me Bernie starting today. If you continue addressing me as Ms. Zimmerman, I won’t give you any chances to pursue me anymore.”

“Got it, my soon-to-be darling.”

“What a rogue! I’m not your darling yet. That has to wait until you’ve won me over!”

Jaxon, who was rushing to the hospital right then, would probably never have imagined that his appearance led to Finnegan and Bernice’s relationship growing intimate at lightning speed.

Otherwise, he would likely be so frustrated that he burst a blood vessel.

“You’re really thick-skinned, Finnegan. You haven’t even won me over, but you’re already calling me intimately. Don’t you find it awkward to call me your soon-to-be darling?”

“It does seem a bit awkward. In that case, I’ll just call you Darling.”

“Nope. You can’t do so right now. But… it’s okay after I agree to be your girlfriend.”

With their feelings out in the open, Finnegan and Bernice chatted and joked like a couple during the drive. Throughout it all, the splotches of red coloring the latter’s face remained

vivid.

It was not until they had arrived at a bustling neighborhood that Finnegan stopped teasing her. “This is the place you wanted to bring me to?”

It was a neighborhood that maintained the style of the nineteen-thirties and forties, surrounded by residential areas.

Patting her flaming cheeks, Bernice urged, “Let’s get out of the car first.”

After alighting from the car, they walked to a cie known as Jerome Medical Clinic. At the

front was a shop merging two units, while the back consisted of a yard and residence.

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Finnegan regarded Bernice in puzzlement. “Why are we here, Darling?”

“Don’t call me Darling.”

“Sure, Darling.”

Knowing that Finnegan was deliberately teasing her, Bernice chided him for being a rogue. under her breath before asking. “Do you know of Jerome Magnussen?”

With a nod, Finnegan answered, “I’ve heard of him when I was young. He’s one of the top ten doctors in Loang, a native of Jadeborough.” Pausing briefly, he studied the clinic in front of him. “Jerome Medical Clinic… Is this Jerome Magnussen’s clinic?”

“Yeah, he opened this clinic, a place providing treatment for the sick. But after something. happened two years ago, Mr. Magnussen stopped receiving patients. The clinic only sells some medicinal herbs now,” Bernice elaborated.

“He stopped receiving patients? But I remember that he’d seemingly vowed to provide medical treatment until he breathed his last?”

Sighing, Bernice affirmed, “Indeed, he made such a vow. He even hung those words in his clinic. But something happened later, and he removed the banner.”

About two years ago, Jerome’s son’s family went on a vacation. Within a few days of their return, however, the family of three fell ill for no apparent reason.

No matter how desperately Jerome tried to cure them, his son and daughter-in-law still passed away at the end of the day even after he asked some fellow doctors to help. Ultimately, only his granddaughter, Yuliana Magnussen, survived. Even then, rumor had it that she was in a wretched state.

That disheartened Jerome completely. Feeling that he was no longer qualified to be a doctor, he stopped receiving patients.

As Bernice spoke of that, she sighed once more. “A few days ago, Mr. Magnussen even said he wants to sell Jerome Medical Clinic. It seems that he’s planning to raise some money and take Yuliana abroad in search of a cure and hope. Since you said you wanted to open a clinic, I contacted him. He told me to come over to discuss things with him today.”

When Finnegan heard that, sympathy welled within him toward Jerome. I can only imagine his utter heartbreak after failing to save his family despite being a doctor.

At the same time, he looked at Bernice gratefully

I merely mentioned that out of passing that day, yet she committed it to mind. Since I refused to work at Firebird Group, she’s going with my wishes and helping me find a place to open my clinic. Can I really have such a girlfriend? What more can I ask for?

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Seeing that Finnegan was staring at her without saying anything, Bernice murmured, “What are you looking at?”

“You’re so nice to me, Darling!”

“You’re such a rogue, calling me Darling and taking advantage of me!”

Despite her words, there was not a trace of anger on Bernice’s face. In fact, she even dragged Finnegan into the clinic.

With a fly swatter in hand, the clerk at the counter drawled apathetically, “Go someplace else. if you’re seeking treatment or medicine. We’re no longer in business here.”

“I’m Bernice Zimmerman. I made an appointment with Mr. Magnussen yesterday to come over and discuss the acquisition of Jerome Medical Clinic.”

“Oh, I see. If so, go right in to the back and look for him.”

Dragging Finnegan past the front hall, Bernice lamented, “In the past, my grandpa brought. me here often. At that time, there was an unending stream of patients, and even big shots queued in line to seek treatment. In comparison to its state now, the changes have really been tremendous.”

“Once an esteemed doctor no longer wishes to treat the sick, he would lose favor faster than anyone else. It’s nothing surprising,” Finnegan commented.

After all, there was no reason for others to respect the doctor when it did them no good to seek him out.

At his remark, Bernice nodded in agreement. In no time, they arrived at the backyard that had clearly been neglected for a long time, with towering weeds all around.

“Aren’t you the daughter of the Zimmerman family? When did you regain consciousness?”

Just as they were about to look for Jerome, an elderly voice rang out from the pavilion on the

left.

Bernice swung her gaze over, only to be greeted by the sight of an elderly man and a young lady sitting in the pavilion. She hastily let go of Finnegan’s hand as though she was an innocent girl caught secretly dating. “Old Mr. Haimowitz, Ms. Haimowitz. Why are you both here?”

Then, she explained to Finnegan in a lowered voice, “That’s the founder of Pentariver Group, Winston Haimowitz, and his granddaughter, Wynter Haimowitz.”

Hearing that, Finnegan dipped his head a fraction. In truth, he knew of the Haimowitz family. It was the second wealthiest family in Jadeborough, second only to the Miles family.

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Winston Haimowitz coughed before admitting. “I’m here to seek Jerome out to treat me. He declined, so I can only come and wait here every day. But Bernice, I thought I heard you’d likely remain comatose forever?”

“Yuliana! Yuliana! What’s wrong with you? Don’t scare me!”

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