Chapter 357 Treatment
About half an hour later, Sophia suddenly opened her eyes.
Finnley had just changed clothes and walked out of the closet. Seeing her sitting on the bed in a daze, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"You're awake?"
Sophia rubbed her sleepy eyes, a hazy mist clouding them.
Her fluffy hair was a bit messy, with a tuft sticking up on top of her head, bobbing slightly as she turned her head.
Finnley felt his hands itch. He couldn't help but ruffle the top of her head, his slender fingers playing with the standing tuft of hair.
That strand of hair moved along with his touch, swaying back and forth. It was adorable.
Sophia looked at Finnley and suddenly asked, "Did we forget something?"
Finnley raised an eyebrow and asked back with a suppressed smile, "Did we? I don't remember anything."
"No way, there's definitely something important! Let me think..."
Sophia wasn't fully awake yet, her mind still foggy. Suddenly it hit her, "Clifton! Did we forget to pick up Clifton at the airport?"
Clifton was supposed to fly to Novaria this morning to treat Finnley. How could she forget such an important thing?
Sophia scratched her head in distress, quickly got out of bed, and rushed to the bathroom to freshen up.
Watching her hurried figure, Finnley smiled helplessly and followed her.
While brushing her teeth, Sophia suddenly saw a familiar figure in the mirror.
She turned around to see Finnley with his arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe, watching her leisurely.
Sophia paused with her toothbrush in hand, narrowing her eyes suspiciously, "Why aren't you worried at all?"
Finnley shrugged, "Check what time it is. Clifton's flight landed over an hour ago."
Sophia looked at him in surprise, "So... you went to pick him up from the airport while I was asleep?"
"Not me, Alaric."
He had indeed dozed off lightly for a bit, but got up after Sophia fell into a deep sleep.
When he went downstairs, he found that Alaric had already left ahead of time.
Clifton was currently chatting happily with Preston, the two hitting it off immediately.
If Alaric hadn't been there to keep them in check, these two would probably have gone from discussing Novarian culture to becoming sworn brothers on the spot.
"Wait for me to change clothes, we need to go down quickly." Sophia covered her face embarrassedly and sped up her morning routine.
Downstairs, a well-dressed man in a suit with white hair, about sixty years old, was sitting on the sofa chatting with Preston.
His hearty laughter could be heard from time to time.
Clifton was very interested in Novarian culture, and his eyes were full of appreciation and curiosity as he chatted with Preston.
Just then, hurried footsteps came from the staircase. Clifton looked up to see a couple with outstanding looks and presence coming down from upstairs.
Sophia pulled Finnley along and nodded apologetically to Clifton, "Clifton, sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's fine. I learned a lot about Novarian culture here. This trip was well worth it."
Clifton's parents were from Novaria and had immigrated abroad before he was born, so he spoke the Novarian language fluently.
Preston quietly glared at Finnley and scolded, "Look what day it is today. I can overlook your usual fooling around, but sleeping in today of all days? Good thing Alaric helped you out."
This Clifton was an expert in psychological hypnosis, with internationally recognized professional skills. Getting him to come was harder than climbing to heaven.
And these two just slept in.
Finnley promptly admitted his mistake with a sincere attitude, taking all the responsibility on himself.
Fortunately, Clifton was easygoing and didn't take it to heart.
Clifton turned his gaze to Finnley with an appraising look, "You're the patient whose memory was altered by hypnosis?"
"Yes." Finnley nodded.
Clifton thought for a moment, then said to Preston, "I need a quiet room where no one can disturb us."
"No problem, I'll have someone arrange it right away. Clifton, can this be treated?"
"I can't say for sure yet. I'll know after a thorough examination."
Preston was a bit disappointed but still pulled himself together and had someone prepare the room.
Sophia nervously gripped Finnley's hand, her mood tightening as well.
Meeting her worried eyes, Finnley smiled and squeezed the soft flesh of her palm, mouthing silently, "Don't worry, it'll be fine."
Soon, Finn had the study ready, and the group led Clifton and his assistant upstairs.
At the study door, Clifton stopped and turned to look at them, "No one can come in and disturb us while I'm treating the patient. Family members can only wait outside."
Preston frowned, about to say something, but Sophia stopped him.
"Clifton, don't worry. I won't let anyone disturb you."
She had read up on this. Some doctors were extremely strict about their treatment environment to ensure the best results.
Finnley said in a low voice, "Don't be so nervous. I'll be out soon."
Sophia nodded firmly, not showing her emotions, but as the door slowly closed, her heart clenched tightly.
In the study, Finnley and Clifton sat facing each other at the desk, their eyes meeting—one gentle and warm, the other sharp and guarded.
They faced off like this for a long time before Finnley spoke first, "You know M, don't you?"
Clifton was stunned and instinctively denied it, "Mr. Bryant, I don't know what you're talking about."
"Then how do you know my surname is Bryant? Since returning to the White Manor, I've never mentioned the surname I'm using now." Finnley narrowed his eyes slightly, the coldness in them almost overflowing.
Clifton smiled and shook his head, developing some interest in Finnley. This trip was indeed worthwhile.
"I came at Francis's request."
He only answered half the question, leaving the other half unsaid.
Although Francis had some influence in Novaria's medical community, he wasn't powerful enough to summon him.
After receiving Francis's request, he had planned to refuse, but then he suddenly received a phone call.
"M must have known my identity very early on. Who exactly is he?" Finnley's expression darkened, his presence suddenly becoming sharp and intense.
Who exactly is M... This question had been bothering him all along.
M seemed to know him very well, and his concern for him far exceeded the bounds of friendship.
But sometimes, he felt very distant from him.
He had never experienced this feeling with anyone else.
From the first moment he saw Clifton today, he was certain this person was sent by M. But Clifton had agreed to come treat him when he had just returned to Silverlight City.
In other words... M had actually known he was back all along. But why was M hiding this from him?