Frank was taking Kat out on a joyride in his Maserati.
They had covered a lap around the outer reaches of Morhen and were returning to the cottage when he received Ned’s call.
“Excuse me, Mr. Lawrence, but I would like to ask for a favor…” Ned asked right away.
He certainly understood the true depth of Frank’s abilities, now that even a famed healer like Abel Loggins was swooning over some traditional pill Frank took out so nonchalantly.
Knowing that Frank was far more than what he seemed, Ned kept his tone as humble as possible.
“Ah, Mr. Ned Janko.” Frank nodded on the other end. “What’s the issue? Perhaps something unexpected happened, and my pill didn’t work?”
Beside Frank, Kat exclaimed in surprise, “Ned Janko? As in the second son of Ciril Janko, who’s rumored to be gay?!”
Smiling, she leaned away from Frank, as if deliberately keeping her distance.
“So that’s how it is,” she muttered under her breath. “That’s why you’re not interested in me… You’re gay!”
“Shove it.” Frank scowled at her.
At the same time, Ned said from the other end, “No, Mr. Lawrence. It’s not the pill… It’s just that things are a little complicated here. Do you have more of those pills?”
“Oh, uh…” Frank was about to say that he did but soon had an idea. “That was the last one.”
“What?!” Ned was taken aback and groaned despondently. “Well, I guess it’s just not meant to be… I’m hanging up now, Mr. Lawrence.”
“Wait!” Lothar cried anxiously before Ned could hang up. “Are you stupid, Ned? If that gentleman could make such a pill, he just might be able to save your father!”
Snatching Ned’s phone, Lothar then asked urgently but politely, “Sir… Mr. Lawrence, I’m Lothar Janko. Would you mind coming over to our residence to treat my brother? Don’t worry—I will pay you whether you succeed, as long as you come over. How about that?”
“Oh, just give it a rest.” Paula rolled her eyes nearby, muttering under her breath. “You expect a piece of shit like Ned could actually make friends with anyone important? Sounds more like a conman to me.”
“Exactly,” Yed agreed. “Do you really think he can save Father, Uncle Lothar? That’d make him better than Abel Loggins, and I’ve never heard of such a person in Morhen. Stepmother is right—it has to be a conman.”
“Shut up, both of you!” Lothar barked, his eyes flashing murderously and silencing both men.
That was when Frank chuckled from the other end. “Heh. It sounds really lively on your end… Did someone just call me a conman?”
Embarrassed, Lothar replied humbly, “Oh, it’s just some impudent whippersnappers running their mouths. Don’t worry—we will pay you ten million dollars as long as you come, whatever happens!”
“What?! Ten million?!” Paula exclaimed in clear discontent.
She then wheeled on Ned, still doubtful the brat would know anyone important.
On the other end, Frank was grinning in amusement. “Actually, I don’t mind helping, and I’m confident I can succeed—but my fee is one hundred million. Also, it has to be the person who called me a conman who pays me. How about that?”
“Wha… a hundred million?!” Kat gaped beside Frank, even scratching her ears and wondering if she was hearing things.
“Who is this conman?” Yed glowered in turn. “He has the audacity to demand a hundred million?!”
