Chapter 41: You Want Compensation? I'll Pay Double!
When David watched Grace—whose considerable mass jiggled with each step, face full of malice—advancing toward him, he genuinely felt the pressure.
However, he wasn't afraid of Grace delivering an actual beatdown.
After all, if pushed too far, he could still enhance his physical capabilities, and knocking down this three-hundred-pound Grace with a single strike wasn't impossible.
But consuming a day of life for this was genuinely wasteful.
It would be more cost-effective to enhance other capabilities for Cameron instead.
While everyone's attention focused on Grace, David suddenly glimpsed a black Town Car that had appeared curbside.
Seeing it, David completely abandoned the idea of using life enhancement.
He looked at Grace, who was starting to roll up her sleeves, and quickly said:
"I apologize for what happened. Although I wasn't responsible, I'll compensate you at double the amount."
Double compensation?
This statement instantly struck Grace's core motivation. Didn't she rent properties for money?
Hadn't she come here for money?
If David was willing to pay double compensation, she could indeed consider the possibility of not sending David to the ICU.
Compared to potential compensation, whether David actually caused the property damage was no longer relevant.
The furious Grace's expression softened slightly:
"Oh? You realize how much damage you caused me, right? Cleaning up your mess cost me a full thirty thousand dollars!
Since you sincerely want to compensate me double for my losses, I'll make a small adjustment. You can just pay me fifty thousand including back rent, how's that?"
Hearing the figure Grace mentioned, even Foreman—who'd instigated this confrontation—couldn't help but gasp.
Fifty thousand dollars. For a board-certified physician with generous salary, it would require two months of zero spending to save.
But reality is everyone has mortgage or car payments.
Those with children also must account for family expenses.
This fifty thousand would require at minimum six months of extreme frugality to accumulate.
Where would David, an intern physician, obtain such money?
Even if David had those two gold coins and the six thousand dollars Foreman had lost to him, it would be completely insufficient!
David was genuinely screwed this time!
Thinking this, delight couldn't help appearing on Foreman's face.
To prevent Grace from being deceived, Foreman also appropriately interjected:
"Grace, that price is excessive. Even I would require six months of saving to afford that amount.
David's a new intern who survived entirely on academic scholarships and has no family support. What do you expect him to pay with?"
Foreman seemed to advocate for David, but in reality, every word reminded the landlord Grace of the fact that David had no money.
As expected.
After hearing Foreman's words, Grace's thick eyebrows immediately shot up:
"Hey, kid! I want to see the money now. Immediately!"
David chuckled and turned toward Finch, who was limping somewhat like House.
"Hey, Finch, when are you planning to repay that fifty thousand you owe me from last time?"
Finch, having just entered the hospital entrance, was momentarily stunned, then remembered the intelligence he'd investigated about David mentioned David couldn't afford rent.
Observing the furious Grace confronting David, Finch immediately understood the situation.
Finch, who had business with David, smiled slightly.
"Didn't I come here to bring you money? Here."
Finch extracted a checkbook from his coat pocket, rapidly wrote a series of figures, and tore it off for David.
David handed it to Grace without even examining it.
Grace accepted the check with evident suspicion.
This was excessively coincidental, wasn't it? She needed fifty thousand dollars, and someone just happened to bring David fifty thousand?
Could he be deceiving her?
After all, Foreman claimed even he—a board-certified physician—required six months of hard saving for this amount.
According to information Foreman revealed, David had been interning at the hospital less than a month.
Where did he obtain such money?
But however Grace examined the check after receiving it, it was legitimate!
Grace looked up at David, then at Finch, and finally departed for the bank with the check without further comment.
Regardless, she hadn't come in vain, and could even claim she'd profited significantly!
Foreman watched with shocked expression as the departing Grace struggled to wedge herself into the driver's seat.
This was completely different from the scenario he'd imagined.
Shouldn't David have been unable to pay, then been severely beaten by Grace and admitted to the hospital's ICU, completely losing his internship qualification?
How did it transform into a scenario where the debt was successfully settled?
This is illogical!
Who exactly is this Finch who suddenly appeared?
While Foreman remained stunned, Finch had already limped up to him.
The sense of authority Finch projected was no less than House's.
He stared intently into Foreman's eyes:
"Dr. Foreman, I don't think breaking and entering is an admirable habit."
Foreman's face changed, and he panicked internally—He knows! He knows! How does he know?!
Finch observed Foreman's sudden expression change, chuckled, and continued:
"David is my friend. If anyone harasses him again, I imagine that person will comprehend the consequences."
Foreman's face darkened after being warned. He had no idea what evidence this person possessed.
But he understood remaining here longer would only invite further humiliation. He scoffed coldly and turned to leave.
There would be future opportunities. He didn't believe David was genuinely invincible!
The fact David had been questioned by NYPD yesterday proved definitively there was a blemish on David's record!
Even if nothing materialized this time, as long as David continued taking private contracts as he'd claimed, he'd eventually become involved in an incident that would destroy his reputation.
He, Foreman, simply needed to patiently await the opportunity!
After he departed, Finch looked at David:
"For fifty thousand dollars, shall we talk again?"
David nodded, extracted a gold coin from his pocket, and tossed it to Finch.
After Finch caught it, he discovered a crimson hand emblem on the coin in his palm.
He'd heard of this type of gold coin commonly used by criminal organizations, but this was his first time seeing one personally.
This confirmed David was genuinely involved with forces behind the Continental!
Simultaneously, this also confirmed David could actually anticipate his thoughts!
The prophet... truly lived up to reputation!
"Come with me."
David slowed his pace, deliberately accommodating Finch's mobility.
Before long, they arrived at the supply closet David was familiar with.
Here, they would generally not be disturbed, making it ideal for private conversations.
As soon as they arrived, Finch impatiently asked:
"How many scenarios have you witnessed from the Machine?"
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