“I’m indeed telling you the truth, but that doesn’t really matter. Anyway, there is something I want to ask you. Is a hypnotist capable of causing chest pain to their target?” Toby asked, staring at Kurtis.
Kurtis responded with a low hum. “Would you mind telling me more about it, President Fuller?”
“Sure.” Toby nodded. “I believe you can still remember how I described my fiancee to you, as well as the promises I made that I would protect and love her, right?”
“Of course!” Kurtis nodded.
Toby’s face darkened. “Here is what happened. In the past two days, I realized I felt intense chest pain when I didn’t do as I promised.”
“I see. Well, that was indeed a hypnotist's doing, but I want you to know that the pain you felt wasn’t real. In fact, it was more like a psychological pain,” Kurtis looked at him and replied.
“A psychological pain...” Toby looked down in a preoccupied manner. “So, you’re saying the pain that I felt was caused by my mind and subconsciousness?”
“Exactly. Hypnotists may be good with what they do, but they are no gods, which makes it impossible for them to control anyone’s pain reception. In fact, this is one of the ways to hypnotize a person, and it’s called the ideomotor phenomenon, which only works on your mental consciousness. In your case, whoever did this to you just wants you to love your fiancee. If you don’t do as instructed, you will suffer from intense chest pain.”
Toby clenched his fists so hard that a popping sound could be heard from his finger joints. “I see. Can you undo it?”
“I doubt I can. After all, I failed to even detect his hypnotist’s influence in the first place, so I don’t think I can rid you of those effects. Therefore, I can only say that whoever did this to you was super talented and... young! Wow! I can’t believe that there’s someone so good hiding among us!” Kurtis exclaimed.
After hearing the doctor’s reply, Toby had his face darkened. When Kurtis noticed that, he chuckled in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, President Fuller. I guess I got a little too carried away.”
Oh man! I just made a fool out of myself. I was rubbing salt on his wound by complimenting the hypnotist who brainwashed him, wasn’t I? Ugh! It’s no wonder he doesn’t seem so happy about it.
Nevertheless, Toby only shot a cold gaze at Kurtis and asked, “I have another question. Since you can’t remove the hypnotists influence from me, why does my chest pain go away whenever I’m close to Sonia?”
“Who is Sonia?” Kurtis asked instead of answering Toby’s question.
“The love of my life.” Toby’s eyes seemed to become slightly friendlier.
Kurtis raised his eyebrows. “Are you referring to the one that you truly love instead of the one you’re hypnotized to love?”
“Yeah.” Toby nodded.
Kurtis pondered for a short while and replied, “Well, maybe it’s a miracle. In fact, hypnotism has its fair share of limits, even though it may be able to do a lot of wonders. Sometimes, the power of love is far beyond one can imagine. Thanks to your love for her, you managed to subconsciously snap out of your influence when you were around Miss Reed, which is why I think your chest pain went away.”
Toby jutted his chin in a preoccupied manner. “Alright, I understand now. Thank you, Dr. Anderson.”
“Don’t mention it.” Kurtis waved his hand.
“Tom, please see Dr. Anderson out.” Toby pinched his own nasal bridge.
“Sure.” Tom nodded and showed Kurtis the way. As both of them arrived at the door, Tom saw a familiar silhouette standing outside the ward. “Dr. Lancaster, what brings you here?” “I heard your boss has been admitted to the hospital, so I figured I should drop by and visit.” Tim calmly replied, his hands in his medical robe’s pockets while having his eyes glued to Kurtis.
Meanwhile, Toby, who heard Tim’s voice, squinted and called out to his assistant. Tom, please let Tim come in.”
Upon hearing his boss, Tom stepped aside and made way for the doctor. “This way please, Dr. Lancaster. I’ll have to see Dr. Anderson out now, so please excuse me.
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