Chapter 452
Chapter 452
“All together, these cost over 300 dollars. The Viscountess only charged you 30 dollars and didn’t even charge the consultation fee. If you insist on a refund, you’d better return the medicine you’ve taken as well p>
The burly man who had come to return the medicine stood there utterly dumbfounded, struck speechless for what felt like
an age.
Fiona snapped her counting board shut with a sneer. “You wanted a refund, didn’t you? Cat got your tongue now? Oh, don’t forget the consultation fee. You’ll need to pay that in full as well p>
The burly man stood there, mouth agape for a long moment before finally managing to stammer out, “How is that possible? How could some lousy herbs cost so much p>
He knew full well how tough it was for poor folks to see a doctor.
Just one visit to the doctor could leave a family broke.
Just the doctor’s house call fee alone costs a hundred dollars, a small fortune for the common folk. How could they ever afford that?
Fiona’s expression turned icy as she snapped, “If you don’t believe me, I’ll bring in someone you can trust p>
Fiona had a physician from Harmony Apothecary brought before her and declared, “This physician has decades of experience running an apothecary and knows these medicinal ingredients better than anyone. Let him verify whether my calculations are true p>
The old physician merely glanced at the herbs and waved his hand. “The Viscountess shows remarkable benevolence, paying from her pocket to treat the people. I’m utterly humbled. Why, just these herbs cost over one hundred thousand dollars p>
At that, the old physician finally lost his temper.
He pointed at the villagers returning their medicine and shouted, “You brainless parasites! You’ll believe any nonsense people tell you. You put your faith in those ridiculous masks instead of accepting that it was the Viscountess’s medical skills that cured you.
“If I were the Viscountess, I wouldn’t give a damn about your lives! You ungrateful wretches p>
The old physician’s harsh rebuke made the crowd falter, their earlier bravado fading.
They no longer clamored for refunds as they had just now. More importantly, they now realized the medicine in their hands was genuinely valuable.
Some slipped away quietly, while others forced awkward smiles, too embarrassed to meet anyone’s eyes.
Still others wore expressions of deep shame.
The crowd quietly dispersed, and peace returned to Saint Jero Clinic.
Standing aside, Athena’s eyes lit up with surprise as she looked at Fiona. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that Fiona would be the first to come to her aid.
“What… What brings you here?” Athena couldn’t bring herself to call her name, so she just offered an awkward smile.
Fiona sensed her discomfort and said warmly, “If I hadn’t come, I’m afraid these people would have torn you to pieces. I’m
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Chapter 452
here purely in my personal capacity. If you don’t mind, just call me Fiona p>
“Alright, Fiona.” Athena smiled at her, but a puzzled look crossed her face. “But how did you get in? The place is completely surrounded by villagers outside p>
Fiona’s lips curved into a subtle smile as she gestured for Athena to look outside.
Athena looked out to see Xander’s attendants firmly guarding the gate, while he himself strode toward her with measured, commanding steps.
Xander had a faint smile on his lips, but his eyes sparkled with barely concealed pride.
Xander’s expression practically screamed at Athena, “Come on, aren’t you going to praise me p>
“If it weren’t for Prince Xander’s help, I doubt I could have made it inside,” Fiona said, a knowing twinkle in her eyes. She could tell Xander was truly smitten with Athena.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths for Athena, Fiona thought.
Xander came to a halt before Athena, his brow furrowing deeply at the sight of the discarded medicinal herbs scattered across the ground.
Xander muttered, “What an appalling waste of precious resources p>
No one could have anticipated that Xander, in all his noble dignity, would actually humble himself to stoop down and gather the scattered herbs from the ground.
Such a remarkable down-to-earth gesture utterly shattered the icy, unapproachable image Xander had long held among the commonfolk.
Xander rose and carefully placed the herbs in Athena’s hands. “These medicines were crafted by your hands. What others discard, I shall treasure p>
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.