Chapter 817
Chapter 817 A Tentative Truce
Marcus immediately voiced his agreement with Barney''s n. “Of course. No problem at all.”
He desperately needed Barney, Sophie, and Arius'' help with the virus that held Anndur hostage.
At that point, he could agree to almost anything that helped to smooth over their ruffled feathers.
s, Barney''s deration did not sit well with the men pleading for mercy on the ground. Getting a
spot in the International Medical Association had been aborious feat.
If they were essentially fired from the association, their reputation in the medical field would be ruined.
They immediatelyunched into a fresh wave of pleas. “Dr. Smith, we''ve truly realized our mistakes.
Please give us another chance!”
Marcus had heard enough. He piped up, “That''s enough. Ms. Tanner and the others have been far too
generous toward you. All you''re good for is saying nonsense instead of curing diseases. I don''t ever
want to hear about you lot next time.”
He ordered his men to bring the disgraced former researchers away.
“Ms. Tanner, let me express my apologies once again. I personally invited you here, yet such an
unforgivable act happened to you on our grounds.” Marcus continued, “Once we''ve ovee this
virus, I will take you out for a meal and properly make things up to you.”
These three doctors were his only hope.
He could sacrifice every shred of his pride to ensure the security of his country and his position.
Sophie had had enough of dealing with the drama by then. She replied curtly, “Let''s talk about it
another time! Why don''t both of you head back first, Dr. Smith? I''m going to have dinner with Tristan, so
I''ll make my way backter.”
Reminding herself that the virus was a matter of life and death was the only thing that boosted her
patience.
“All right. Go on, then. Arius and I will return as well.”
Arius whined, “Let''s eat out, Dr. Smith! I''m sick of all the dinners they serve us at the medical
association!”
He was suddenly swamped by a longing for his life back in Chanaea. It had been so easy to get
whatever he craved in Chanaea. In Anndur, he had to suffer through countless fast-food meals.
Barney had no objections to his mentee''s suggestion. “Works for me. I''m going back to my room. Come
and get me when you''re ready for dinner.”
He knew they were tired of Annduran cuisine.
Unlike them, Barney was born and raised in Anndur, and he was used to their culture and lifestyle.
However, it was surely a culture shock for Sophie.
Marcus suddenly roared at his subordinates, “What''s wrong with you? Didn''t I ask you to see after their
needs? If Ms. Tanner isn''t used to Annduran cuisine, can''t you hire a chef to make Chanaean
cuisine for her? Did you need me to give you all a lesson on basic hosting etiquette?”
“We''re sorry for overlooking that, Mr. President. We will arrange for a chef right away.”
One of Marcus'' subordinates turned to Arius and Sophie and said, “Don''t worry, Professor Gullifer and
Ms. Tanner. We will hire the best chef in Chanaean cuisine we can find.”
They would spare no expense or pride in ensuring their esteemed guests''fort.
Barney was beginning to think they had wasted enough time that day and dered, “All right, Mr.
President. I''m heading back to my room.”
He had no interest in wasting more time.
Sophie had already turned around and returned to her room to have dinner with Tristan.
Meanwhile, Arius dropped his idea of dining with Sophie. The lovebirds hardly spent enough time with
each other.
He eventually trailed after Barney.
After their departure, one of Marcus'' aides voiced his doubts about the situation. “Should we be waiting
on them hand and foot, Mr. President? Even the International Medical Association failed to help us.
Can the three of them really be the answer?”
Marcus sighed and replied, “Frankly, no one can guarantee a solution to this virus, but Sophie has the
advantage of experience, so she''s our best bet for now.”
He was already facing such a tough trial shortly after bing Anndur''s president.
There would be no presidency to speak of if the country''s citizens were obliterated by a virus.
He continued, “Right. Make sure you do your best to fulfill their requests. And I never want to hear any
more of that nonsense about Chanaea again.”
Salvaging his pride as the president of Anndur was the least of his concerns.
Freeing his country from the shackles of this virus was his top priority. If Sophie managed to help him
do it, he could even bepelled to kneel at her feet and express his evesting gratitude for her
services.
Sophie arrived at her room just as Tristan finished changing.
She was supposed to head to the International Medical Association immediately, but she could not
bear to leave him alone in his battered state. She suggested, “Let''s go! What do you want to eat? I''ll go
with you.”
Tristan had other ns. “Let''s order delivery! I really don''t want to go out looking like this.” I''ve got my
pride too!
Augh escaped Sophie.
Tristan hugged her from behind and ced his chin on her shoulder.
He wailed, “Don''tugh at me. This isn''t funny at all. I must look a horror now, Sophie. Are you going to
dump me over this?”
“No. You''re still handsome like this. I would never be disgusted by you.” Her earnest reply was marred
somewhat by the amused smirk curving her lips.
“Good, good.” A relieved Tristan nted a kiss on her forehead.
They ordered room service and tucked in. Only after that did Sophie set off for the International Medical
Association.
Once again, Tristan was alone in the room.
Later that night, he video-called Sean, Felix, and Charles. Thetter two loudly proimed their shock
at Tristan''s appearance.
“D*mn, Mr. Tristan! What the heck happened to you? Who thrashed you so badly?”
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“Exactly! Did you run into thugs?” Wait, that''s not right! Mr. Tristan''s more fearsome than any thug out
there!
Sean asked calmly, “Is this Nichs'' work?”
Tristan''s silence confirmed Sean''s suspicions. It also tipped Felix and Charles off about their rather
overboard reaction to their boss'' current state.
Realization dawned upon Felix and Charles, who both looked to Sean.
Indeed, Nichs was the only person who could beat Tristan up so badly.
Upon noticing Tristan''s ill expression, Felix abruptly changed the topic and asked, “Do you need us to
come over and help with Butterfly''s matters?”
They could not afford to offend Tristan unless they happened to have a death wish.
“It''s fine. Don''te here. It''s quite dangerous.” Tristan did not wish to put his men at risk of
unnecessary harm.
They backed down, but not without adding, “Okay. But anytime you need us, just say the word, and
we''ll be on the next ne out.” The four men were fiercely loyal and would easily risk their lives for one
another.
“Got it. Don''t worry too much! It''s just a fistfight with Nichs, and I promise you he''s in a much worse
state than me.”
Tristan did not exaggerate the situation to reassure his friends. He had not held back his strength or
skills when fighting Nichs, but his opponent was hardly as meek as a punching bag. It was natural
for Tristan to take some hits during their duel.
“How did it feel fighting with Nichs? Must''ve felt great sinking your fist into him, huh? Did you feel the
urge to just kill him?” Felix asked conspiratorially. Tristan''s and Nichs'' animosity toward each other
was no secret.
“Hm, not bad.”
Frankly, Tristan could have befriended Nichs if not for the man''s dogged persistence in pursuing his
woman.
Sadly, Nichs was thoughtless enough to attempt wooing Tristan''s woman, and Tristan would not let
that slide.
Soon enough, Tristan brought an end to the call. “Anyway, just call me if anything''s happening with
Lombard Group. I''m always reachable.”
Sophie was too busy at the International Medical Association to spend time with him, so he was really
only here to ensure a speedy departure from Anndur should an emergency arise.
Tristan was a selfish man. If nothing could be done to save Anndur, he would bring Sophie away
without a hint of hesitation.