Chapter 14

Charlotte didn't move, clearly not wanting to go inside. Henry frowned. "Dr. Mandy, is something wrong?" Charlotte shook her head. Although finding out the patient was Brian shocked her, she could still back out. She had taken no fee, so quitting wouldn't break any deal. She wanted no more entanglement with this man. She had to refuse this job. She lowered her voice and said, "I'm sorry, but I can't take this case or treat the patient. Please find someone else." Henry was stunned. "Why?" He blocked her from leaving again. "Dr. Mandy, do you have a problem with the fee? We can discuss it. You're already here, and our boss can't wait. No one else can help. Please!" Charlotte looked at his anxious expression and shook her head calmly. "It's not about the fee. I simply can't cure your boss." Henry argued, "You haven't even looked at him. How can you be sure? All the records are ready." Charlotte stepped around him. "No need. With your resources, you can hire any doctor. If your expert team can't solve it, I certainly can't." Henry pleaded, "No, Dr. Mandy, if you can't, no one can. You're famous for your skill." Charlotte felt a headache coming. Henry was very persistent. Now forced to stop in her tracks, she said, "Mr. Houston, honestly, my reputation is hyped up. I built a strong image so more patients would come, and I could charge higher fees. With your top team, I can't keep up the act. Please let me go." She was even willing to downplay herself to escape. She sounded so serious that Henry half-believed her. He was dazed and shocked. Did doctors need to establish such an image these days? Maybe he had seen too little of the world. If she loved hype so much, she should be in showbiz, not medicine. The surrounding air turned cold, and Henry didn't know if he should keep blocking her. Seeing he bought her story, Charlotte relaxed and tried to slip away. Before she moved, Brian finally spoke. "Ms. Mandy, don't you think your words contradict themselves? If you want a high fee, then a billion dollars is unprecedented and would set you up for life. Why refuse? "I won't force you to treat me, but give me a reasonable explanation. We showed such sincerity, yet you toy with us. That makes no sense." His domineering air seeped out of the room like a shock wave. Charlotte, who knew him well, shook with fear. She knew he was not easy to fool. Still, she had to press on. "I suddenly grew a conscience." Brian sneered. "Your conscience arrived right on time." "I didn't know your lab was this big. I thought I could trick you." Brian's expression stayed blank. "So you're sure you can't treat me?" Without meeting his eyes, Charlotte said, "I truly can't." Brian said icily, "Fine. In that case, Henry, call the police. Tell them we have a fraud here." "Yes, Mr. Norman. I'm calling the police now!" Henry pulled out his phone and told the guards, "Watch her! Don't let her leave!" Charlotte was dumbfounded. Why the police? She blocked Henry. "Wait, what do you mean? When did I commit fraud?" Brian's voice held no warmth. "You said you built a false image to charge huge fees. That is false advertising and fraud. A billion dollars is enough to put you in prison for life." Charlotte was stunned. She had simply refused, yet Brian turned it on her. If the police came, she could clear her name, but the mess would be huge. Without thinking, she said, "No police. I deny committing fraud. I never took your money and never lied. When I charge a fee, I cure people. There is no scam." Brian replied, "That's not my concern. The police will decide. Henry, stop wasting time. Call the top media in Marindale too. Warn the public about this 'miracle doctor' so no one else gets duped!" Henry pressed his lips to hide a smile. "Yes, Mr. Norman. I'll call them right now." He dialed, making sure Charlotte could see.