“Because it's too far, and I don't like flying.”
Just for that reason?
Barney fell into deep thought.
“Old man, are you okay? Don't do anything foolish, you hear? At worst, you'll just have to look for another successor.” Arius reckoned that his mentor was old and couldn't handle the shock anymore.
“Dr, Smith, it doesn't have to be me. Arius can actually be your successor. His medical skills have improved a lot, after all,” Sophie suggested.
In her mind, she had deemed Arius to have the qualifications to be the successor of the International Medical Association.
“Sophie, what do you mean by that? Since you don't want to do it, you've decided to dump it all on me, is that it?”
I have no intention of becoming Barney's successor. I'm perfectly happy the way I am right now. I'm free and comfortable this way. I can go whenever and wherever I want to go. I can do my research whenever I feel like it, and I don't need to think of anything else. However, if I were shackled with being a successor, I could say bye-bye to all of these.
“Too far, you say? Well, if that's the case, how about we move the International Medical Association to this place then?” The location was never an issue. If Barney willed it, he could move the headquarters of the International Medical Association to this place.
At his proposal, Arius was dumbfounded.
“Dr. Smith! Are you crazy?” How can he move an organization that big to wherever he wants?
Barney shot Arius a glare.
“You talk too much.” For the advancement of the medical field, Barney was willing to compromise.
He was a medical savant, and there was nothing that could stop him from getting what he wanted.
Sophie was stunned speechless. She never thought the older man would say something like that. “Are you sure you want to do this, Dr. Smith?”
Because of me, a lot of people would have to move to Chanaea. Is this really okay?
“You only need to tell me one thing. If I move the International Medical Association to this place, would you be willing to join? You can ignore the rest.”
Since he could present that offer, it meant that he had the power to do that.
Sophie glanced at Arius.
Arius knew Barney wasn't lying.
As long as Sophie agree to it, Barney would do everything in his power to move the International Medical Association to Chanaea.
This way, Sophie would be able to join the association without any worries.
“Okay. If that's the case, then I'll join.” In truth, she never intended to negotiate terms like this.
After all, she wasn't that desperate to join the International Medical Association.
However, the lengths that Barney would go to for her to join moved her.
For the sake of medicine, Barney was willing to move mountains.
He had lived in Anglandur for half his life.
As such, Sophie was impressed that he actually had the gall to propose moving to Chanaea.
“Okay, that's settled then. I'll go back and make the necessary arrangements. In the meantime, you stay put and look for a place to be our headquarters,” Barney said to Arius.
After all, the medical association would occupy a large space.
So, they would need to purchase a piece of land and build the building there themselves.
The estimated time for all the preparation works to be completed would take about two to three years.
Nonetheless, all of these were worth it if it meant that Sophie could join.
“Will do, Dr. Smith. Don't worry and just leave everything to me.” At the end of the day, Arius was Chanaean.
He figured that moving the International Medical Association to Chanaea would bring nothing but benefits to his country.
“So, when are you going back? You can stay the night at my place if you'd like.” Barney wasn't that young anymore. It would be bad for his health if he kept flying.
“It's fine. Now that we made the decision, I still have a lot of things to do.” For one, he knew there would be trouble at Anglandur.
Anglandur wouldn't let them move to another country that easily.
“Dr. Smith, you can tell me if there's anything you can't handle. I'll think of a solution,” Arius said.
Barney smiled.
“You don't have to worry about me. Even Anglandur's president wouldn't dare to do anything to me.” Since he made the decision, he should deal with the consequences himself.
Sophie stayed quiet.
She was really touched by his determination.
This man is willing to give up everything just for the sake of medicine.
“Dr. Smith, you—” Arius did not know what to say.
He could only imagine the pressure of moving the International Medical Association to this place.
Later, Sophie and Arius accompanied Barney for a meal before sending the latter to the airport.
“Brat, I trust you to handle everything that needs to be done. I hope to move here as soon as possible.”
First, they needed to deal with the large group of people from the medical association.
Next, the land for the medical association had to be obtained.
Last but not least, arrangements for the living quarters of the medical association members needed to be made.
These were some of the things that needed to be dealt with.
“Please be rest assured that everything will be fine with me here.” After all, Arius had been Barney's mentee for so long. Thus, there was no way he couldn't handle this level of paperwork.
“Okay. I'll be leaving then.”
It was time for Barney to board the plane.
Although he was going back alone, he figured it was fine since he would be back in Chanaea soon.
Arius took a deep breath.
“Sophie, did you put a spell on him or something? I can't believe he's willing to move the medical association here because of you!”
I can already imagine the level of trouble the move would create.
“Well, I didn't expect things to turn out like this, too.” To be honest, Sophie could not help but admire Barney. “There are no borders when it comes to medicine. I believe this now,” Sophie mused aloud.
“Yeah, you're right.”
After pausing for a moment, Arius added, “By the way, I just got back here, so I don't have a place to stay. I think you still have an unoccupied room, right? Can I stay at your place for a few days?”
Arius didn't want to go to a hotel.
It was inconvenient as he couldn't do a lot of things.
“If you can bear with Tristan's anger, later on, feel free to come over.” Personally, Sophie had no objection to him coming over as she had empty rooms to spare.
However, she knew that Tristan might not be that happy with her decision.
“Sophie, honestly, how could you put men over our friendship? If you're on my side, Mr. Tristan won't be able to do anything.”
Sophie went silent.
She then said, “Between Tristan and you, who do you think I'll choose?” This is practically a no-brainer!
At that, Arius was rendered speechless.
Okay. She has a point. I should keep quiet lest I embarrass myself further.
Sophie added, “If you really can't find a place to stay, I have a mansion at Jipsdale. I'll have the place cleaned tomorrow and you can move there.”
Knowing he had a lot to do, Sophie reckoned it would be inconvenient for him to stay in the hotel.
At night, Sophie treated everyone to dinner. Tristan, the three of his friends, and Ysabelle were all present.
“Welcome back, Arius!”
Because Arius was a medical professor, it was natural that anyone would want to be acquainted with a talent like him.
After all, even rich people would get sick one day. And when one was sick, one had to go to the doctor.
Arius raised his glass and gave a toast.
“Thank you. I'll be staying in Chanaea from now on. Even though nothing good ever comes from people calling for me, you are welcome to contact me should you really need my services.”
He only said that because he knew anyone who called for him would meet him whilst lying on an operating table.
“Sophie and I will become legendary figures in Chanaea's medical history in the future,” Arius added. Sophie will undoubtedly become a legend because her talent in the medical field is high.
“Yes, that's right. Sophie is awesome!” Ysabelle praised. She firmly believed that there was nothing Sophie couldn't do.
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