A Healer’s Journey

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.

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

Finnegan flashed her a devilish smile. “Women love bad boys,

me Bernie starting today. If you continue addressing me as Ms. Zimmerman, I won’t give you any chances to pursue me

my soon-to-be darling.”

a rogue! I’m not your darling yet. That has to wait

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

be so frustrated

over, but you’re already calling me intimately. Don’t you find it awkward

In that case, I’ll just call you Darling.”

But… it’s okay after I agree to be your girlfriend.”

the open, Finnegan and Bernice chatted and joked like a couple during the drive. Throughout it all, the splotches of red coloring

vivid.

not until they had arrived at a bustling neighborhood that Finnegan stopped teasing her. “This is the place you

that maintained the style of the nineteen-thirties and forties, surrounded

urged, “Let’s get out

from the car, they walked to a cie known as Jerome Medical

merging two units, while the back

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25

“Why are we

me

“Sure, Darling.”

teasing her, Bernice chided him for being a rogue.

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?”

after something. happened two years ago, Mr. Magnussen stopped receiving patients. The clinic only sells some medicinal

stopped receiving patients? But I remember that he’d seemingly vowed to provide medical treatment until he breathed

Bernice affirmed, “Indeed, he made such a vow. He even hung those words

a few days of their return, however, the family of three fell ill for no apparent

at the end of the day even after he asked some fellow doctors to help. Ultimately,

was no longer qualified to be a doctor, he stopped receiving patients.

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

can only imagine his utter heartbreak after failing to save his family despite being a doctor.

the same time, he looked at Bernice gratefully