Chapter 737 The Fruits
When the job was finally done, Fergus was thrilled. He couldnât contain his excitement and immediately dialed Atticusâs number.
âProfessor Sterling, Iâve finished everything you asked for. Can you arrange my payment now?â Fergus asked.
Hearing Fergusâs words, Atticus replied with disdain in his eyes, âProfessor Lynch, I trust you, but itâs not just up to us. I need something to convince my boss before I can arrange your payment, right? How about you wait a couple of days? Once everythingâs settled, Iâll wire the money to you right away!â
Fergus had long seen through Atticusâs scheming. He knew it was not easy to take out money from Atticus.
Fergus was well-prepared and confidently replied, âProfessor Sterling, check your inbox. Maybe this can help you convince your boss.â
Sensing Fergusâs implication, Atticus immediately opened his email. It contained a video and a blood report. The footage was covertly recorded. It showcased Catherine taking the medication provided by Marshall, and the report displayed Catherineâs blood test after taking the medication.
Seeing the data in the report, Atticus smirked. He finally achieved what he wanted. This was the result he desired.
âProfessor Sterling, does the content of this email suffice for your boss?â Fergusâs voice came through the phone, conveying a hint of threat.
Atticus understood Fergusâs intent and knew Fergus only sought money. Money was the least of Atticusâ concerns, especially as this expense wasnât coming from his pocket.
âProfessor Lynch, rest assured. Your reward will be in your account soon,â Atticus said.
With his request met, Fergus joyfully hung up the phone. Yet, his inner turmoil persisted. He had avoided confrontation for years. He aimed to rise unexpectedly. But Marshall unexpectedly stole all his thunder. If that was the case, he had to secure something for himself. Since he couldnât gain fame, he decided to pursue money.
Fergus blamed it on Marshallâs greed. He thought Marshall solely wanted the championship. Otherwise, Marshall couldnât have been deceived. Besides, Fergus never believed Catherine alone could lead Marshallâs team to beat the Altonian Team. Everyone knew how strong the Altonian Team was worldwide. Fergus believed they couldnât win by depending only on Catherine. It was just their wishful thinking.
Fergus executed the task smoothly, and Atticus promptly met his request. Fergus felt exhilarated upon receiving the transfer notification on his phone. However, Atticus added a new request. He wanted Fergus to keep a close eye on Marshallâs team. He asked Fergus to report promptly and intervene if necessary.
Reading this, Fergus wore a contemptuous smirk. To him, Atticus was a timid person who lacked courage and acted in fear.
Even Catherine, the strongest in Marshallâs team, fell into a trap. With the rest of the team, Fergus believed any random team could outclass them.
He found Atticus worrying about not securing the championship downright laughable.
Nevertheless, considering Atticusâs generosity with money, Fergus decided to help inquire. He phoned one of his team members and asked about Eamonâs and the othersâ situation. Though finding Fergusâs sudden call odd, the teammate brushed it off and assumed it was a school-related concern, just like Fergus said.
âProfessor Lynch, Eamon, and the others are training as usual. Itâs just that the junior student, Marlon, seems sick. He struggles with some illness, lying in the dorm, unwilling to move,â the teammate replied.
Fergus immediately perked up and asked eagerly, âHave you visited him?â
âWe did. Heâs truly ill and weak. For him, even standing up is a challenge, let alone the match.â
Suppressing his excitement, Fergus made a few perfunctory remarks before hanging up. Once off the phone, he promptly informed Atticus.
If even the last backup was out of commission, Fergus was curious to see how Marshall would turn the tables this time.
In the hospital room, Catherine glanced at the report while casually enjoying the fruits prepared by Branden. She felt comfortable and content. However, her ease didnât rub off on Marshall sitting beside her.
Marshall felt upset now. He couldnât emulate Catherineâs composure. In her presence, he didnât seem like a professor, feeling more like an inexperienced kid. Sometimes, he even felt ashamed of himself.
âCatherineâ¦â Marshall called out.
Catherine paused. Then, she picked up a piece of fruit and offered it to him. â Professor Hartley, have some fruit. Itâll cool you down.â
Marshall took a bite and was surprised by how good the seemingly ordinary fruit tasted. It momentarily distracted him and almost made him forget what he wanted to ask Catherine.
Before he could remember, Catherine already had news to share. She said, â Professor Hartley, itâs settled.â
Catherine had everything under control regarding Fergusâ situation. Everything was set for the match tomorrow. Once the match ended, all of this would be over, too.
When someone else reported in that tone, Marshall would have been furious. But with Catherine, it was different..
After Marshall heard Catherineâs response, his tense heart immediately eased. He understood Catherineâs character. If she said it was okay, then it was.
âWell. Iâm going back for a hot shower. I need to rest up. Keep going through the materials. Iâm off.â Marshall waved as he left. Seeing his fondness for the fruit from earlier, Catherine instructed him to take some along.
Branden arranged for these fruits to be delivered daily. Catherine couldnât finish them all, so if Marshall liked them, he might as well take them. They were just fruits, nothing significant, and Marshall didnât overthink it. He grabbed them as he was pleased with the taste.
Back at the hotel, Marshall encountered some experts from the Agricultural Sciences Institute. They eyed the fruits he was carrying, which struck Marshall as odd. After all, the Agricultural Sciences Institute wasnât keen on such things, yet today, they were curious about his fruits.
After inquiring, Marshall learned these fruits were the latest varieties developed in Janikon, which were priced astonishingly high. Just the grapes he had devoured earlier were sold individually in Janikon, each costing more than one hundred dollars.
Understanding the situation, Marshall nearly bit his tongue in shock. Reflecting on his voracious consumption earlier, he realized it was equal to his entire monthâs salary.
Knowing the truth, Marshall couldnât help but think inwardly, âDamn capitalists! Envy-inducing bunch, arenât they?â