Chapter 14 Keep an Eye on Her, Don't Let Anyone Slip
Candice didn't move an inch after hearing Knox, showing absolutely no intention of entering.
Knox looked at her with confusion. "Dr. Mandy? Is something wrong?"
Candice shook her head.
While finding out Brandon was the patient had surprised her, it wasn't too late to back out. She hadn't accepted any payment yet, so refusing now wouldn't breach any contract.
There was no way she would get entangled with Brandon again.
No matter what, she couldn't take this case!
With this thought, Candice deliberately lowered her voice to sound hoarse. "I'm sorry, but I can't take this case. I won't be able to treat the patient. You'll need to find someone else."
Knox was stunned. "What? Why?"
He grew anxious and quickly moved to block Candice's path. "Dr. Mandy, is there some difficulty I should know about? Or are you not satisfied with the fee? If that's the case, we can renegotiate!"
"Look, you've already come all this way, and Mr. Obelon's condition can't wait any longer. Right now, you're the only one who can help—please reconsider."
Seeing his desperate expression, Candice calmly shook her head. "That's not it. I simply can't treat his condition."
Knox immediately responded, "Doc, you haven't even seen what's wrong with Mr. Obelon yet. How can you be so sure you can't help? At least take a look first—we've prepared all his medical records."
Eager to leave, Candice stepped around him, tossing back, "No need. With your resources, you could hire any doctor you want. Your research facility is so impressive—you must have professional teams already. If they couldn't cure him, I certainly can't either."
Knox persisted, "No, Dr. Mandy, others might fail, but you won't. Your medical skills are exceptional, your reputation speaks for itself, and you have successful cases to prove it. If you can't do it, no one can."
Candice was getting a headache.
Brandon's assistant was surprisingly persistent.
Forced to stop, she looked at him with feigned sincerity. "Knox, you're giving me too much credit. To be honest, my reputation as a miracle worker is just hype—it's all about creating this 'I'm amazing' persona so more patients seek me out."
"In plain English, I did it to make more money and get clients to pay higher fees, you understand? I can't keep up this act with your impressive medical teams around. Please just let me go."
To ensure her escape, Candice was willing to tarnish her own reputation.
She spoke so convincingly that Knox was completely taken in, his face a mixture of confusion and shock.
Did doctors need to create personas these days?
Was he that out of touch?
Dr. Mandy, with your love for creating personas, you shouldn't be a doctor—you should be in Hollywood!
The atmosphere grew tense, and Knox wasn't sure whether he should continue blocking her.
Seeing that he believed her story, Candice felt relieved and prepared to make her escape.
However, before she could take a step, Brandon, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, his tone ice-cold.
"Dr. Mandy, don't you think you're contradicting yourself? If you're after high fees, then ten billion dollars—unprecedented in the industry and enough to set you up for life—should be more than sufficient. Why are you refusing?"
"I won't force you to treat me today, but at least give me a reasonable explanation. We've shown such sincerity only to be toyed with—this doesn't add up at all!"
As he spoke, Brandon's intimidating presence seemed to surge from the room, commanding absolute attention.
Having known him for years, Candice felt her heart tremble at his words.
She knew Brandon wouldn't be easy to fool.
But having committed to her story, she could only continue with her charade. "I've just had a sudden attack of conscience, that's all."
Brandon responded with a cold sneer. "How conveniently timed."
"What can I say? Before arriving, I had no idea your research facility was so impressive. I thought I could bluff my way through."
Brandon's expression remained impassive as he looked in her direction. "So you're certain you can't help?"
Candice replied without looking up, "I truly can't!"
"Fine, if that's how it is."
Brandon's voice turned glacial, cutting straight to the point. "Knox, call the police immediately. Report a fraud case."
"Right away!" Knox responded quickly, pulling out his phone while instructing security, "Keep an eye on her. Don't let her slip away."
Candice was dumbfounded.
Wait, why were they suddenly calling the police?
She hurriedly blocked Knox. "Hold on—what do you mean? When did I commit fraud?"
Brandon's voice carried not a hint of warmth. "You just admitted it yourself. You said you're not a miracle doctor, that you created a persona to charge exorbitant fees when you don't actually have those skills."
"That's false advertising and deliberate fraud—using your professional position to gain massive financial benefits. Who should we arrest if not you? A ten-billion-dollar fee is enough to keep you in prison for life."
Now it was Candice's turn to be stunned.
Her straightforward refusal had backfired—she hadn't expected Brandon to be so difficult to deceive, let alone turn the tables and accuse her of fraud!
If they actually called the police, she could clear her name, but it would be an enormous hassle.
Without hesitation, Candice immediately said, "Don't call the police! I don't accept your fraud accusations. I haven't taken any money from you, nor have I scammed anyone else. Whenever I've accepted payment, I've successfully treated my patients—there's no fraud involved."
Brandon countered, "How is that my concern? Whether the charges stick or not, the police will determine that. Knox, don't waste time. Also, contact some prominent media outlets in Seaside City to publicize this 'miracle doctor's' story—let's prevent more people from being deceived!"
Knox pressed his lips together to suppress a smile while responding, "Yes, sir. I'll contact them right away!"
And right in front of Candice, he actually started dialing.