Chapter 86
At the Aicker residence in Jayrodale, Andrew accompanied Francesca through the entrance. He asked, “Why aren’t we doing the treatment at the hospital?”
Francesca’s face flushed as she replied, “The hospital is too crowded, and there are too many prying eyes. Also, I’d rather keep my condition private.
Andrew nodded understandingly at Francesca’s troubled expression and did not press the matter any further. He had come to the Aicker residence to help treat Francesca’s condition–a rare disorder she had lived with since birth.
At 28, Francesca should have been thinking about marriage and romance like her peers. However, her condition made those dreams seem impossible. While she was accomplished and carried herself with pride, this issue remained her deepest insecurity.
Even Cedric, one of Jayrodale’s most renowned medical experts, had been stumped by her unusual condition and had not yet found a solution.
“Fran, who’s this?” Simon Gaal, Cedric’s senior apprentice, asked as he noticed Andrew entering with Francesca:
“Simon, this is Andrew Lloyd, a doctor from Jayrodale General Hospital,” Francesca explained. Then, she turned to Andrew. “And Andrew, this is my grandfather’s senior apprentice. His medical expertise exceeds even mine.”
Andrew offered a polite greeting, “Nice to meet you.”
Simon responded arrogantly and scoffed. “I bet you’re here to become an apprentice, right? Since Fran brought you, I might teach you a few medical techniques, but don’t get your hopes up about Mr. Aicker–his standards are extremely high, and you don’t look like you’d make the
cut.”
“I’m not here to become an apprentice,” Andrew replied, shaking his head. “I’m here to treat Francesca’s condition.”
Simon froze before breaking into a cold laugh. “You must be joking. The Aickers‘ medical expertise is unparalleled, and Fran herself is highly skilled. Why would she need treatment from you?”
“Simon, you’ve misunderstood,” Francesca interjected. “Andrew really is here to treat me, not to become an apprentice.”
Simon was stunned. “Fran, as the chief doctor of Jayrodale General Hospital, is there anything you can’t handle yourself?
“And if you couldn’t, there’s still me, your senior What’s this guy supposed to offer, coming. in here and showing off in our place?”
Before Simon could respond, Cedric emerged, wearing a black doctor’s coat that draped over
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Chapter Bo
his tall, lean frame and long face. He demanded irritably, “What’s all this commotion about?”
His eyes landed on Andrew, and a smirk crossed his face. “Aren’t you that young man from the Stevens family residence the other day? Had a change of heart and came to learn from me after all?”
The last time, Andrew insulted Cedric by turning down his offer to apprentice, which had been a blow to Cedric’s pride. He thought Andrew was surely here to swallow his pride after realizing Cedric’s reputation was no joke,
Andrew felt a headache coming on. “I’ll say it again–I’m not here to become an apprentice.”
He could not help thinking that the Aickers all seemed to share the same delusional tendencies.
Francesca said with a gentle smile, “Grandpa, Andrew is here to treat my condition.”
Cedric’s face immediately darkened with anger. “Nonsense! My skills are unmatched! Besides, you’re my granddaughter. Why would you need treatment from an outsider?”
