Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 166

Revenge Has Interest 166

166. You Never Know What Might Happen

2024.01.13.

Doctor Karen spoke with the air of someone who had reached a significant decision.

“Honestly, it’s difficult to find a truly skilled anesthesiologist. I sent an inquiry to Lomerica, but I haven’t received a response yet.”

Terrence’s expression darkened upon hearing this.

“Is anesthesia the only obstacle?”

At Terrence’s question, Doctor Karen removed her glasses and retorted coolly.

“I’m not reckless enough to gamble with a patient’s life.”

“Doctor Karen, please don’t misunderstand.”

Leah quickly intervened, trying to smooth things over. Unlike Terrence, she appreciated Karen’s directness.

She found it much more reassuring to hear an honest assessment of the challenges than to be met with overconfident boasts and medical arrogance.

“What if an anesthesiologist doesn’t come from Lomerica?”

Terrence’s voice remained stiff. It seemed difficult for him to be naturally courteous.

But Karen surprised Terrence with an unexpected statement.

“I know a brilliant doctor. He’s exceptionally skilled in anesthesia, and his surgical abilities are second to none.”

At her words, Terrence’s eyes lit up.

“Who is it?”

“I can tell you who it is, but he’s currently incarcerated. Some ignorant nobleman ruined his career.”

“Damn it! It’s no wonder nobles get a bad reputation when they act like that.”

Terrence gritted his teeth. Why would they imprison such a talented doctor?

He resolved that if it was within his power, he would secure the doctor’s release.

“Who is it? Who is this genius doctor?”

“It’s Doctor Frank of Landes. His medical skills are truly remarkable. He’s a visionary, far ahead of his contemporaries.”

“Doctor Frank!”

Leah and Terrence exclaimed simultaneously. They had heard of him, a controversial figure not recognized by the established medical community.

Terrence was, in fact, the one who had written to King Vincent, leading to Doctor Frank’s imprisonment for his groundbreaking reconstructive surgery and his attempt to repair Allen’s disfigured face.

“Do you know him?”

At Karen’s question, Terrence smiled awkwardly and shook his head dismissively.

“Geniuses often face envy and opposition. Doctor Frank was no exception. Many doctors ostracized him, even denouncing him as an eccentric or a madman. I still can’t forgive the nobleman who had him imprisoned.”

“There must have been extenuating circumstances.”

“Circumstances? I wish I could confront that nobleman. To let such a great talent waste away in prison… I’d grab him by the collar and shake him if I ever met him.”

‘Should I confess that I am that nobleman?’

Terrence glanced at Karen, nervously touching his neck.

“Is Doctor Frank the only one we need to bring here?”

He couldn’t bring himself to reveal his role in the doctor’s imprisonment.

What did it matter now? He could simply reinstate him.

“With him, Miss Grace’s chances of a successful delivery will be close to 90%.”

“90%?”

Terrence felt a surge of hope.

“I will bring that man—no, that genius doctor—to Greymon.”

“Really?”

Karen was taken aback and jumped up from her seat. Leah, looking back and forth between them, offered an awkward smile.

Judging by the situation, it seemed best to feign ignorance.

‘You never know what might happen….’

Who would have guessed that Doctor Frank would be so crucial?

In any case, it was comforting to know that there was hope.

After the examination, Terrence returned home and shared the day’s events with Luke.

Luke teased Terrence with a mischievous grin.

“Why didn’t you tell her that you were the mean-spirited nobleman? Are you, Terrence Courtois, the Duke, afraid?”

“Yes, I was scared.”

“Huh?”

Luke was taken aback by Terrence’s subdued response.

He expected Terrence to grab him by the collar, shake him, and unleash his anger.

Instead, he was being uncharacteristically humble because Doctor Frank represented Grace’s only hope.

“This isn’t like you, Duke… I’m almost disappointed by your behavior.”

Even as Luke apologized, Terrence remained silent, his head bowed.

Then, abruptly, Terrence seized Luke by the collar and shouted fiercely.

“If you’re so sorry, leave immediately! Go to Landes and bring Doctor Frank here!”

‘Phew! That’s more like it. He hasn’t lost his edge.’

“Will King Vincent permit it?”

“I’ll write a personal letter. If that doesn’t work, use your feminine wiles.”

“Feminine wiles? You’re not suggesting we use Chenel…?”

“If you value your life, you’ll bring Doctor Frank before me as soon as possible.”

Terrence shook Luke by the collar until his face turned red from lack of air.

He emphasized that Luke should disregard the means and focus solely on the objective.

* * *

The next day, Luke departed for Landes.

Now, all Terrence could do was wait for him to return with Doctor Frank.

Hope seemed to ease people’s minds and allow them to envision the future.

Even though he once believed he didn’t desire children, the prospect of twins with Leah filled Terrence’s heart with joy.

“Aren’t you feeling warm?”

Terrence took Leah to Winds Lake Park.

“I’m a little thirsty.”

At her request, Terrence retrieved the water bottle Sarah had packed and personally helped Leah drink.

“Thanks to you, Sarah gets a break.”

Leah said with a smile after quenching her thirst.

Sarah had been diligently pushing her wheelchair every day.

“We need to come out like this so that Sarah can rest a little.”

“That’s true. They say I won’t need the wheelchair when I’m about eight months along.”

“No, what if you fall while walking?”

Terrence wanted Leah to remain in the wheelchair until she gave birth.

When he first saw Leah in a wheelchair, he felt devastated, but now he recognized it as the safest option.

“Terrence, did you arrange fireworks here to meet me?”

“You could say that.”

Terrence answered with an embarrassed expression. Leah would undoubtedly find it out of character.

“I didn’t know Terrence was such a romantic man.”

“Romantic?”

“It’s much better than blockading the city and destroying the railroad. A man who sets off fireworks for a woman… it’s like something out of a novel.”

How could he explain this feeling?

He used to think he had to prevent his woman from escaping, but now she was touched by something as simple as fireworks.

Besides, a romantic man was a label he had never encountered before.

After all, people needed constant shifts in thinking. But Terrence suddenly became curious.

“Grace, are people here usually like that?”

“Like what?”

“As soon as I arrived, I mobilized 300 people to find you. I even provided a picture and offered generous compensation. But only one of the 300 reported seeing you.”

At Terrence’s words, Leah laughed heartily.

It was a situation that would understandably arouse Terrence’s suspicion.

“The people of Greymon are a bit laid-back. The weather is also hot, so they typically take an hour-long nap in the afternoon, pausing their work.”

“Does that mean they’re not in a hurry? Still, isn’t it a matter of responsibility to fulfill the job after receiving payment?”

“When did you specify that you needed them by?”

At Leah’s question, Terrence paused to consider.

He had been so rushed that he had simply instructed them to come, without setting a deadline.

“I didn’t.”

“That’s why. It’s not a lack of responsibility, but rather a lack of urgency. They assume they can come whenever they have time.”

In essence, it was a cultural difference.

One thing was certain: individuals as impatient as him, or those accustomed to the fast-paced life of Lubeck, could visit Greymon, but living there would be a challenge.

At that moment, a man and a woman in the lakeside forest caught his attention.

“Terrence, look over there. They’re having a wedding.”

“Wedding?”

Turning his gaze in the direction Leah indicated, he saw a woman in a simple dress and a man in a white shirt and pants gazing at each other with affection.

The man placed a crown made of wildflowers on the woman’s head.

“Don’t joke around. What kind of wedding is that with just the two of them, and in a place like this?”

“They do that here. They get married with just the two of them, go to the government office to register their marriage, and have a party with the whole family at night.”

“Even so, there are many things to prepare for a wedding. A dress, a tuxedo, and rings. Above all, you need a pastor or priest to officiate the marriage.”

Even trying to view it positively, it seemed they were treating such a significant event as a wedding too casually.

Yet, Terrence was moved by the sight of the couple smiling at each other.

Despite his reservations, he couldn’t tear his gaze away.

“It’s a wedding to be happy.”

Terrence muttered without realizing it.

Strangely, the bride and groom standing in the middle of the forest didn’t appear shabby at all.

They wore only wildflower crowns and thin silver rings, yet their faces showed no lack or regret.

Instead, they radiated joy. Ultimately, the satisfaction of those involved was paramount.

“Grace, should we do it too?”

Terrence knelt before Leah, who was seated in her wheelchair, and whispered.

“Do what?”

“I mean, a wedding.”

Leah’s gaze shifted to the forest.

“Okay.”

Leah readily agreed, and Terrence went to gather wildflowers.

After all, it was a wedding, so they needed a flower crown.

As Terrence picked flowers, Leah called out.

“Terrence, with purple flowers.”

“Ah, purple.”

As she requested, Terrence diligently crafted a crown of purple wildflowers.

Before removing Leah’s hat and placing the crown on her radiant blonde hair, he said.

“Later, we’ll have a story to tell our children.”

“You mean about the wedding?”

“Yes, I want to tell them how special our wedding was.”

Leah was so overjoyed by Terrence’s words that she began to cry.