Chapter
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+25 BONUS
Sheila laughed. “What are you talking about, Lucian? Aria is just a simple housewife. She could never be compared to such a revered and wonderful Healer as Dr. A
Lucian’s jaw clenched.
I stood frozen, unsure how to react. That Lucian had even thought to connect Dr. A and Aria felt like a kind of compliment, that he could see parts of the housewife Aria inside of the famous Healer. Maybe he could see the real me.
But then he shook his head a little, as if clearing it. “You’re right, Sheila. I was mistaken. My apologies, Dr. A.”
My heart sank once more. When I had been his dutiful housewife, he never showed me such high respect like this, speaking so formally and even bowing slightly at the perceived misunderstanding.
As if he had gravely insulted me by comparing me to his homemaker wife..
I gently touched my mask, finding comfort in its presence. More than any other bit of my disguise, it protected my identity to anyone and everyone – except Cathy, who had known the secret from the start.
No one else in the entire world knew that Aria the Luna housewife was actually Dr. A.
“Just now, 1 heard you refuse Sheila’s case,” Lucian continued. He spoke with reverence but also sternly. He wasn’t the kind of man who was used to hearing ‘no.” “May I ask why? If the monetary offer isn’t enough, I can. give you more. Perhaps 300 million dollars would suffice?
That was a huge amount, so much more than any other commission on the list. Perhaps Lucian thought this heap of money was supposed to impress and entice Dr. A.
Instead, it did the opposite.
“It’s not a matter of price,” I said coldly. I had many reasons to turn down Sheila’s case, most of them personal. But there was a professional reason as well. “I haven’t studied infertility.”
“Oh,” Sheila intervened, laughing slightly. “It’s okay. We believe in you, Dr. A. I know you can find a way, just you did three years ago, when you developed that drug that could extend life. If you put your mind to this, I’m sure you can figure it out.”
Rather than Sheila’s frivolous flattery, Lucian actually seemed to consider my words. He thought for a long moment before speaking.
“I understand your concerns, but I hope you will allow me an attempt to assuage them. The medical information of the entire Nightfall pack will be open to you, to aid you in your research. In addition to this, I will increase the commission by five times. Would that suffice?”
50‘ Queen’s Necklaces!” Cathy whispered in my car in shock.
Only through years of experience carefully schooling my face could I keep my shock from overtaking my features.
Cathy was not as experienced. Her eyes were wide as saucers. As were those of the other Healers in the room.
$500 million dollars. All for Sheila?!
An older Healer stepped forward, Joining
- conversation. Perhaps you would consider a Healer with more experience, Alpha King. Unlike this mysterious girl, I am a well–practiced healer with a sterling reputation.”
The older Healer was carrying a vial of a medicine I recognized – one that was severely outdated.
Chapter Doce
“I trust you are not attempting to treat fated mate sickness with this drug?” Lasked. “I’m sure you read the medical papers released last year that determined throughview and study that this drug only hides the symptoms for a time, but ultimately worsens the condition long term?”
The older Healer’s face paled slightly. “I don’t always have time to read the medical journals,”
“Perhaps you should make the time,” I replied.
“Come with me,” Cathy said to the older Healer. “I’ll show you where we keep information regarding the newer
treatments.”
The older Healer stammered somewhat, but because he was still a dutiful doctor, if perhaps not the best one, went along with Cathy to discover the newer treatments,
