Frieda’s attention was focused on Shawn all this time. It was only when Shawn began speaking that she realized there was an old man beside him.
The old man was thin, and he was considerably tall, as he was just a few centimeters shorter than Shawn. Though his face was wrinkly with age, his eyes gleamed coldly and made him look aloof.
From the way he carried himself, one could easily see that he was no ordinary man. Moreover, Shawn clearly treated him with high regard.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Peregrine,” Frieda hurriedly greeted politely. Peregrine glanced at her indifferently and. replied, “I’ve seen you when you were young. but I’d prefer you not call me that. Just call me Old Mr. Lomax like this young man from the Crawford family.”
Frieda’s smile stiffened at that. She only addressed Peregrine that way because she wanted to cotton up to him. Jonathan owned access to the Queen family’s connections now. Naturally, Frieda wanted to develop her own network as well.
To her surprise, the old man before her was way too stubborn. Shawn shot Frieda a look just then, so she had no choice but to agree meekly. “I understand, Old Mr. Lomax.”
Nodding slightly, Peregrine said, “Crawford, I’m tired. Where can I rest?” With a smile, Shawn led the way. The Crawford family’s driver was already waiting outside. The trio got into the car, with Frieda sitting in the passenger seat.
Shawn and Peregrine sat in the back. The latter would pipe up occasionally, asking Shawn about how the Crawford family was doing lately. Though Peregrine acted high and mighty, Shawn did not show any signs of impatience.
After all, Peregrine was indeed a capable man. He was not the one who dubbed himself the King of Medicine. Instead, it was a title his peers in the medical field had been calling him by in the past few decades.
In fact, Peregrine almost joined the State Secrets Protection Department because of his skills. Sadly, an explosion that happened during a research and development project sixteen years ago injured and even killed many of Peregrine’s mentees, causing him to lose his will to go on.
The explosion had happened because of him. Although he was not subject to criminal liability since it was an accident, he already labeled himself as an unforgivable sinner.
Ever since then, Peregrine had disappeared from everyone’s sight and even declined the government’s invitation.
Shawn was merely trying his luck when he went to ask Peregrine for his help. When Peregrine was severely injured some time ago, it was the Crawford family who had helped and bore the medical expenses for him and his disciples. The elderly man owed them a debt of gratitude.
When Alister Crawford fell seriously ill years later, the Crawfords invited Peregrine out of seclusion to treat him. In other words, the Crawfords and Peregrine had called it quits. Shawn had gone to look for Peregrine, not knowing if he would agree to come out of seclusion.
Fortunately, the elderly man still appreciated the kindness of the Crawford family. When Shawn arrived at his residence and expressed his intentions, Peregrine only hesitated for a moment before agreeing to his request.
“Back then, the Crawford family saved so many of my disciples. Every life they had saved was a debt I owed. When you asked me to save another person’s life, I’ve no reason to refuse your request! I’ll do it!” That had been Peregrine’s response.
He wasted no time and joined Shawn on their way to the airport, disregarding the need to pack his belongings. Even Shawn found it hard to believe how smoothly everything went.
“How is Old Mr. Queen doing?” After asking about the Crawford family’s current situation and learning that Alister was in the pink of health, Peregrine turned to Frieda, simply asking out of concern for an old friend.
Frieda replied respectfully, “My grandfather also fell ill recently, but he has just recovered. Do you have the time to visit him and provide treatment for him once more?”
She was trying to get in his good books. However, Peregrine was not buying it. “It’s good that he has recovered. Someone as kind as him will get through anything. I’m only good at pharmacology, so I won’t be of great help to him. His children and grandchildren should take good care of him instead.”
Sensing Frieda’s attempt to flatter him, Peregrine closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and drifted off to sleep after uttering those words. Frieda was left in a state of awkward silence.
None of them uttered a single word throughout the journey. An hour later, the car they traveled in slowly came to a halt at the entrance of a mansion in the suburbs.
Shawn woke Peregrine up in a low voice. “I didn’t take you to the city because I know you appreciate a peaceful environment. This mansion has everything you need, so please make yourself at home.”
Peregrine remained silent and simply nodded his head in response. He straightened his clothing with a quick pat before gracefully stepping out of the car. Frieda and Shawn followed behind.
Frieda’s face turned grim after Peregrine rejected her twice. She had no idea what skills he possessed but felt the elderly man had a more inflated ego than her grandfather. What’s so great about this man anyway? He better not make a fool of himself later.
“Old Mr. Lomax holds an esteemed position in the medical field, so it’s understandable for him to exude a certain level of confidence,” Shawn said in consolation despite feeling displeased by her behavior.
Hearing his words, Frieda forced a smile. Once they arrived at the mansion, Shawn arranged for Peregrine to have breakfast and rest before discussing the next course of action.
“Old Mr. Lomax, we can’t delay any longer as the patient’s condition is not optimistic. But since I’m not convenient to appear in person, may I get Ms. Queen to introduce you instead?” Shawn asked for Peregrine’s consent respectfully.
The elderly man nodded without expressing any opinion. Peregrine arrived with a clear intention to treat the patient and was not concerned about who would introduce him later.
Seeing Peregrine nod in agreement, Shawn gave Frieda a few additional instructions before sending her back to the Queen family to explain the situation.
Frieda returned to the Queen residence right away. Jonathan was listening to his assistant’s report in the house. Out of all the invitations they had sent, a few reclusive famous doctors were unable to attend while the others had declined the request altogether.
In short, not one of them accepted the invitation. Jonathan understood those reclusive experts, who could be experienced and set in their ways, probably had plans of their own.
The Queens were not particularly close to the reclusive experts they had invited, so they thought using Alfred’s name to reach out to them might help.
Under normal circumstances, Jonathan would not have handled their rejection well, but the fact that his closest friend’s partner was in danger caused him to feel a sense of panic. Jonathan stood up anxiously. “Buy me a plane ticket. I’ll go there and meet them in person!”
The assistant could only stay silent and keep up with him. When they were about to leave the mansion, they bumped into Frieda, who was entering the house. “Jonathan, where are you going? I found someone who can save Roxanne.”
Frieda’s expression lacked joy. Instead, a hint of smugness lingered on her face as she conveyed the news to Jonathan. Upon noticing the expression on Jonathan’s face, she knew he had not found anyone. Yes!! won!
Jonathan was visibly anxious and eager to find out the expert she had managed to contact. “Who did you manage to get?” Frieda cleared her throat and said, “I spoke to someone who provided me with the contact of Peregrine Lomax-Merania’s King of Medicine!”
Jonathan’s eyes widened in shock. “Peregrine Lomax? You managed to get him to come?” Frieda’s guilt flickered momentarily across her face, but she quickly regained her composure. “I told him about the patient’s condition and that she was Dr. Lambert’s apprentice. I also mentioned that I was from the Queen family. I think he may have agreed to help because of Grandpa and Dr. Lambert. But he did request a reward of ten million. Lucian wouldn’t mind spending such a small amount of money, would he?”
It was not difficult to spot the loopholes in Frieda’s story, but Jonathan did not have the mental capacity to worry about that.
Jonathan confirmed with Frieda, “Are you sure that person is Peregrine Lomax? Where is he now, and when will he arrive?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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