Howard shook his head, looking somewhat disappointed. I don't have the book, but I do have information about it. Based on what you said earlier, with a 10% commission, I'd get ten million, right?"
Matthew showed a look of disappointment on purpose. "I was hoping you had the actual book. That got me excited for nothing. But yeah, if you have information about the book, I can give you ten million. That said, how would I know you're not just trying to scam me?" Panicking at the thought of losing out on such a hefty commission, Howard said eagerly, "I'm telling you the truth! You have to believe me. I'm a doctor; I have a solid reputation."
Matthew pondered at the mention of Howard's reputation. It was not because Matthew doubted the concept, but rather he was thoroughly unimpressed by Howard's character.
Matthew sighed and continued, "It's not that I don't want to believe you, but I've been scammed too many times. People say things just like you did, I pay up, the information turns out to be unreliable, and they disappear. I'm really scared of being scammed again." Howard contemplated for a moment and continued, "What I'm telling you is true; it involves my mentor. When he was young, he saved someone's life, and in return, they gave him a medical book and taught him some techniques.
"I've seen that book myself. It used to be kept in an old mansion in Onyx Village. I saw it with my own eyes while learning medicine from my mentor."
Matthew nodded slightly, recognizing the story as the same one Ivan had told him.
His resentment toward Howard deepened. It seemed that Jenny's situation was linked to this information.Content held by .
"I don't care about the past. I want to know who has the book now," Matthew demanded.
Lowering his voice, Howard revealed, "The book is with my mentor's granddaughter, Jenny Reed. But if you ask her about the book directly, she won't tell you. You'd need to trick her, only then will she talk."
Matthew's fist was clenched under the table as if he was gathering strength for an earth-shattering blow at any moment.
However, he remained calm and asked, "What if I can't get the book from Jenny? What then?"
Howard chuckled. "Then it means you're not ruthless enough."
Matthew was curious about why Howard was so hostile toward her. "Why's that? Do you hate your mentor?"
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Howard shook his head. "I don't hate him, I just think he's not humane. I was his apprentice, yet when I had a dispute, with a patient, he didn't stand up for me. Instead, he sided with the patient. He said I wasn't skilled enough and forbade me from treating them.
"Have you ever seen a mentor who sides with a patient over their disciple? It's like he's lost his marbles!"
Matthew's anger surged in his chest, growing more intense by the moment. Suppressing the urge to lash out, he asked again, "How many times have you seen that book? And where?"
Howard thought for a moment
before responding, "I've seen it twice,
both times in the old mansion in Onyx Village. My mentor seemed to treasure that book dearly. Whenever he saw me, he hurriedly hid it-away, claiming it belonged to someone else, and he was just keeping it safe for them to collect later.
"I could tell he was wary of me! He wasn't a good man, not worthy of being a mentor. He deserved to die a miserable death beneath a truck."
Realizing he'd spoken too much, Howard quickly added, "Sorry, talking about this gets me worked up. Let's get back to business. I've said so much already, it's time for you to pay up!"
Matthew stared at Howard as if he were staring at a dead man.
He now understood that this guy was responsible for Walter's death. Jenny's parents were killed because of him. Moreover, he'd also caused Jenny and her brother to end up in their current dangerous situation.
A murderous air erupted from Matthew as he rose to his feet, and an invisible pressure overwhelmed Howard like a tidal wave.
In an instant, the atmosphere in the clinic became tense.
Upon meeting Matthew's chilling gaze, Howard felt his body break into a cold sweat, sensing he was being preyed upon by a fierce predator. "What... what are you doing?" Matthew's fist slammed into Howard's chest with a boom.