Chapter 1437
Thalassa squared her shoulders and looked at Dr. Funke sincerely. “Hertha’s tied the knot, Dr. Funke. She wasn’t around long enough to learn much from you. But if you’re serious about taking on an apprentice, I can recommend someone.”
Human desires are a tricky business, and even a man of Dr. Funke’s medical brilliance wasn’t immune. Hertha’s ruse of a confession to get close to the good doctor must have sent the wrong message his way, making him think she wanted to be more than just his student.
That simply wouldn’t do.
They couldn’t give in to Dr. Funke’s request, yet they couldn’t afford to rub him the wrong way either. They needed to play to his interests to coax him into treating Lysander.
“You’re offering me an apprentice, or something else?” Dr. Funke’s eyes narrowed as his smile faded into a serious expression.
“An apprentice. She’s sharp, a quick learner. And if you’re looking for a date, well, I can set that up too,” Thalassa replied with unwavering confidence.
She held his gaze without flinching.
She and Hertha had been waiting just outside the private dining area the whole time, and when Alaric followed Dr. Funke out, she suspected that Alaric had failed to persuade him to treat Lysander.
Now, it was her turn to convince Dr. Funke, and it might be their last chance, too. She needed to meet his demands, to sweeten the deal so he’d have no reason to refuse treating Lysander.
Dr. Funke’s scrutiny lasted only a second before he let out a chuckle. “I’m not desperate for companionship. I’m picky. If I weren’t, would I still be single?”
“I know, and I’ll make sure you’re satisfied,” Thalassa said calmly.
Alaric and Hertha exchanged surprised glances, both clearly confused.
Since when did Thalassa have such resources for matchmaking? They were out of the
loop.
“The apprentice and the date, are they the same person?” Dr. Funke inquired.
“No,” Thalassa replied promptly. “If you’re interested in an apprentice, I can introduce you to a young woman. She is ex-military, trained to follow orders, and an eager learner. As for a date, I can scour the Matchmaker website for the perfect match.”
“Matchmaker website?” Dr. Funke laughed. “As I said, I’m not just anyone’s cup of tea.”
“You prefer someone lively, someone who takes the initiative, right? There are plenty of
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Chapter 1437
women like that on dating sites. I’ll find someone to your liking, and all you’ll have to do is invite us to your wedding,” Thalassa said confidently.
Her assurance seemed to sway Dr. Funke. “You’re certain you can pull this off? What’s in it for you?”
“I can. All I ask is that you agree to treating Lysander with all your expertise. In return, I’ll find you an apprentice and a date,” Thalassa stated, revealing her true intent.
She might have once been just a secretary, but the time spent with Lysander and Ethan Crawley had taught her a thing or two about negotiation.
To get someone to agree to your terms, you need to exude confidence, certainty, and a sense of invincibility.
The key to winning people over lies in impressing them with your demeanor and abilities.
Lysander’s secret to his business conquests was his imposing presence and his reputation for getting things done.
“So, I’d be taking on a patient, while you’re tasked with altering the lives of two others. You really think you can handle it?” Dr. Funke said, skepticism tinged with curiosity as he scrutinized Thalassa.
“Just give me your word, and I’ll make it happen. If you don’t, we’ll pretend this conversation never took place. There are still plenty of other doctors out there who can treat Lysander. We can always look elsewhere, Thalassa countered boldly.
Hertha and Alaric were both taken aback, worry flickering in their eyes. By being so direct, wasn’t Thalassa risking Dr. Funke’s ire, pushing him to refuse outright?
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