Chapter 1300
With only two days left until the highly anticipated Grand Medical Summit, the streets of Blumedale were already bustling with visitors from out of town. The event had drawn medical professionals from across the region.
In the midst of his boredom, Andrew received a personal call from Derek. The timing could not have been more unexpected.
“Mr. Lloyd, the Grand Medical Summit is about to begin. I’m hosting a symposium here and would like you to join us,” Derek invited.
Andrew showed little interest and laughed. “Governor McCormick, I’m not really into these kinds of gatherings. Would it be possible for me to skip it?”
Derek pressed gently. “My suggestion is that you really should come and listen, Mr. Lloyd. The officials are taking this summit very seriously. Anyone who brings glory to our Gabo Creek Province will receive generous rewards, with my office leading the initiative.”
Andrew immediately perked up and smiled. “Well, rewards aren’t really what matters to us medical practitioners! Material things are secondary to our calling. Alright, I’ll come and listen. After all, supporting your work and bringing honor to Gabo Creek Province is our unquestionable duty!”
Derek laughed heartily. “Mr. Lloyd, you’re quite the humorist. See you at the venue!”
After hanging up, Andrew looked at Aspen, who was sitting nearby. Her expression was unreadable but critical. “What are you smirking at?”
Aspen maintained her icy demeanor. “I’m not smirking at anything. I just think some people are hypocrites. Claiming no interest, then immediately getting excited at the mention of rewards. ‘We medical practitioners don’t care about material things…’ Listen to yourself, Mr. Lloyd. Is that even human language?”
Andrew remained completely unembarrassed, responding matter-of-factly. “I don’t see anything wrong with what I said. Although I don’t care about material things, Mr. McCormick was being so polite–I can’t just disregard his wishes, can I?”
Aspen snorted and turned her head away. She had never seen someone with such thick skin.
Andrew stood up, preparing to leave, but then asked, “Aspen, what’s going on with you lately? Your rebellious attitude is getting serious. Do you think I don’t have the heart to discipline you?”
Aspen gritted her teeth. “Go ahead, discipline me then! Beat me to death if you want!”
Andrew frowned. This little servant was becoming increasingly unruly. Yet, truthfully, he could not bring himself to use the harsh methods he had used before.
“You don’t need to walk around with that sour face all day. Remember what I said? After the assassination orders from the two major families passed and the company got on track, you could regain your freedom.”
“The time has come now–you can leave whenever you want,” he added coldly before putting on his coat and heading for the door.
Aspen’s face turned pale instantly, her lips losing color as she bit down hard. The prospect of freedom was not what she had expected. Her emotions were clearly out of control, and she suddenly stood up and shouted, “Andrew, you jerk, stop right there!”
Andrew turned around and looked at her coldly, but found himself stunned. His little servant’s eyes were brimming with tears. She was trying her hardest not to cry, staring at Andrew with eyes that conveyed extreme grief.
She accused, “When you needed to use me, you ordered me around as you please. Now that I have no more value to you, you’re driving me away, discarding me? Andrew, even though I fell into your hands, I’ve helped you quite a bit, haven’t I? Doesn't treating me like this hurt your conscience at all?”
After her righteously indignant outburst, the tears she had been holding back finally streamed down her face.
Andrew was completely taken aback and sighed helplessly. “Stop crying. You look terrible when you cry. I’m not trying to drive you away, understand? It’s just that you’ve been walking around with this sour expression, like some bitter wife. It irritates me to see it.
“Haven’t you always wanted your freedom? Now I’m granting your wish, and you’re still unhappy?”
Wiping away her tears, Aspen replied resentfully, “Don’t worry, I’ll leave. It’s not like I can’t survive without you. I just feel it’s so unfair. Why can you treat me this way? Why do I have to be mistreated by you like this?”
Andrew snapped, “Enough! Do you even know what you’re saying? How have I mistreated you? Did I sleep with you or do something else to you?”