I’m naming my price as high as I want—so what?
Even when she’s being outrageous, she says it with such conviction that no one can argue.
Yes, Serena is asking for sky-high terms, but what can he do about it? She sets the conditions—he could refuse, but right now, that's not an option.
Holden Cui let out a long sigh, sitting across from Serena. He looked up and quietly studied her, saying nothing.
He’d always thought Serena was straightforward and bright—a woman with a healer’s compassion and rare strength. Only now did he realize she had none of that. What she truly had was power, and the confidence and arrogance that came from it.
“Serena, what gives you the right to ask such a price?” After a long silence, Holden finally spoke.
What gives me the right?
Obviously, my skills.
Serena smiled, full of confidence. "Because I am Serena—the only person in the Nine Provinces Realm who can save you; because I have real skills; because I have the guts to name my terms to Young Master Clay."
In all the Nine Provinces Realm, few would dare threaten Young Master Clay like this—Serena is one of them.
"And what makes you so sure of yourself? Serena, you only have seventy percent certainty." If Serena had claimed total confidence, that would be one thing, but she doesn't dare guarantee it—yet she still dares to name a high price. That really takes guts.
"Seventy percent is still better than waiting around to die." Serena shot Holden a glare. Her 'seventy percent' was from a doctor's perspective—if she really wanted Holden's help, she could just claim a hundred percent certainty.
"That's right, seventy percent is still better than waiting to die." Holden gave a bitter smile. Everyone knew he was waiting for death, but even so, the Clay family wasn't so easily threatened. "Serena, do you realize the consequences of threatening a member of the Clay family?"
"I'm not threatening you. I'm just making a deal." Serena refused to admit she was threatening him.
Seriously, every young master from a noble house is proud to the bone. No matter how polite they act on the surface, deep down they're all arrogant. Threats and deals are two completely different things.
"A deal? What kind of deal is this? You're using my life to threaten me. Serena, don't forget, you were the one who said you could cure me. Now you want to treat me and demand a price? That's breaking your word—unworthy of a healer!" His tone was accusatory, full of the authority of someone born to power. That noble air could make anyone feel small.
This was the true heir of the Clay family.
Accusing someone of dishonesty is serious, and coming from the Clay family's young master, it was basically a public condemnation of Serena herself. If word got out, Serena would never be able to stand among the noble families again.
No one wants to associate with someone who can't be trusted.
Serena understood just how serious this accusation was. She steadied her breath, then calmly replied, "Young Master Clay, I did say I'd save you, and I discussed the treatment plan with you—you agreed. But when I started preparing to treat you, you refused. If you say I broke my word, what about you?" Neither of us is blameless, so... Young Master Clay, you'd better not go around telling people I'm untrustworthy.
Holden's face darkened.
A gentleman is built on trust; going back on one's word is not the act of a true gentleman. On this matter, he was indeed in the wrong. 'Miss Serena, we agreed on three days—Holden is not someone who breaks his word.' Holden refused to admit he was untrustworthy.
Serena emphasized the 'ten,' reminding Holden that their deadline was long past. 'Young Master Clay, you said it was a three-day agreement, but now it's been thirteen days.'
Holden's ears flushed with embarrassment. "Miss Serena, these ten days you were gone—I couldn't find you even if I wanted to send word. That doesn't count as breaking my promise."
"Really? Young Master Clay, if you wanted to reach me, you couldn't find anyone?" Serena replied, half-smiling.
Some things are better left unsaid—everyone understood the situation. Holden simply didn't want to make a choice and tried to avoid it, but now he had no way out. Bringing up trust only made things worse.
Serena could understand a patient's mindset. If it weren't for Ninth Royal Uncle's situation, she wouldn't have pressed Holden so hard. After all, Holden was her patient, and since she took the case, she intended to see it through.
Holden coughed twice to cover his embarrassment and shifted the topic to the Warren family: "Serena, even if I agree to your terms, how do you expect to persuade the Warrens? The Clay and Warren families have never cooperated."
Both the Clay and Warren families considered themselves the leading noble house—neither would ever admit defeat, let alone cooperate. Holden hoped this would make Serena back down.
"That's nothing you need to worry about, Young Master Clay. I guarantee the Warren family will agree to work with yours."
The head of the Warren clan is William Warren. In the Taroko Grand Canyon, William owes Ninth Royal Uncle a life-saving debt. William is calm and gentle, but at heart, he is fiercely proud. There's no way he would accept such a favor from Ninth Royal Uncle and not repay it.
Now, given the chance to repay that debt, William would never refuse. And what's wrong with cooperating with the Clay family? Since the Clay family's retreat, their reputation has faded. People only know the Warren and Hsieh clans now, and have long forgotten the Clay family.
"Guarantee? Miss Serena, what guarantee do you have that the Warren clan will agree? Anyone can make empty promises." Holden was a gentleman, but that didn't mean he couldn't be forceful. As the openly recognized Young Master Clay, most people gave him respect—except for Serena, who actually dared to threaten him.
"Young Master Clay, I wouldn't name these terms if I wasn't sure I could deliver. If the Warren family refuses to cooperate with yours, then treat my conditions as void—I will still do what I must, and I will never violate my medical ethics just because the deal falls through." Holden wanted a guarantee; Serena gave it. He wanted her to say she'd give up; she did.
"Very well. A gentleman's word is swift as a whip." Though Holden was dissatisfied, he didn't show it and agreed readily.
Compared to his life, nothing else mattered.
Whether Serena could persuade the Warren family was still an unknown.
"You're straightforward, Young Master Clay. I won't let you down. Let's seal our promise with a handshake." Serena stood and raised her right hand.
Ancient people valued oaths, especially heirs like Holden Clay—they would never break a sworn promise. Such vows were even stronger than written contracts.
"Agreed."
Clap, clap, clap—the two of them struck their hands together three times, sealing the terms.
"Miss Serena, now that we've sworn an oath, I'll keep my promise. When will you operate?" Holden had paid a steep price—he didn't want to be left waiting on Serena's whim. Healing his illness first would give him confidence.
After all, a woman's heart is hard to predict. Serena could make things difficult for herself today for Ninth Royal Uncle, and tomorrow she might delay his treatment for something else. Better to be cured first—then he'd have peace of mind.
Thinking back on his earlier refusal, Holden was full of regret. If he'd known things would end up like this, he would have agreed to Serena's terms from the start—instead of ending up so passive...