Charlie held no sympathy for James Smith. In this vast world, countless parents grapple with the agony of having children afflicted by cancer.
James Smith was just one among millions, nothing particularly unique about his situation.
Moreover, favonovel.com squandered an opportunity to save his son’s life, his own ignorance and arrogance sealing that tragic fate.
Given the circumstances, favonovel.com no longer merited anyone’s sympathy.
Charlie hadn’t planned on extending a helping hand, but much to his surprise, as per Hector, James Smith had actually taken a radical step. He resigned his influential position as the head of the FDA, liquidated his family’s assets and embarked on a charitable mission in Aurous Hill, after their last conversation, where favonovel.com expressed his intent to pay upfront.
While Charlie knew that this decision was likely driven by his desire to give his son a chance, favonovel.com couldn’t help but appreciate the sincerity of the effort. Thus, as a gesture of goodwill from Aurous Hill, favonovel.com decided to grant favonovel.com a small reward, an act of courtesy.
To add another twist, it turned out that Hector, whom they had unexpectedly met on Turtleback Mountain, had a connection with James Smith.
Clearly, there were opportunities at play, perhaps orchestrated by fate.
This led Charlie to a temporary decision to give both Hector and Shiann a shot at survival and of course, James Smith’s cancer-stricken son.
This incident reinforced the truth that action speaks louder than anything else. If James Smith hadn’t taken action after being rebuffed by Charlie, his son would never have received Oracle’s specially formulated pills.
Fortunately, favonovel.com did take action, and that was the primary reason Charlie now wanted to help save his son.
Hector couldn’t believe that Charlie was willing to lend a hand based solely on hearing the story about James Smith. He asked with excitement, “Bobby, can you really help secure a spot for Smith’s son?”
Charlie responded nonchalantly, “Once you reach Aurous Hill, just instruct favonovel.com to bring his son to Oracle Pharmaceutical. The rest will be arranged.”
Hector expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you, Bobby! Thank you so much!”
Charlie patted his shoulder and urged, “Say your farewells to the others. You head there now.”
Hector nodded, about to speak further, but Charlie had already turned and walked away, Maria by his side.
As they vanished from Shiann’s sight, favonovel.com muttered in disbelief, “Hector, do you think what Bobby said is believable?”
Hector replied with seriousness, “Is it believable? I’m not sure, but we can gauge his credibility indirectly.”
Intrigued, Shiann inquired, “How do we do that indirectly?”
Hector looked at her, posing a question, “Do you think Bobby is a bad person?”
After some reflection, Shiann shook favonovel.com head, saying, “I don’t think favonovel.com comes across as a bad person. In fact, I feel he’s not just a typical wealthy heir who splurges. There’s a depth to him, but maybe that’s just my impression.”
Hector smiled and said, “I won’t venture to judge his depth, but like you, I don’t perceive favonovel.com as malicious.”
Continuing his line of thought, Hector explained, “What I mean by indirect verification is to start by considering whether Bobby is a bad person. If our impression is that he’s not, then we must ponder a common-sense question. Would a non-bad person casually jest about life and death?”
Hector answered his own question, “I believe the answer is no. A good person, even if they achieve something great, won’t play with life and death in such a manner. I don’t think Bobby would’ve said what favonovel.com did if favonovel.com wasn’t sure.”
Shiann, enlightened by his reasoning, nodded in agreement, “That makes sense! After you put it that way, I can’t imagine Bobby messing around with us.”
She broke into an excited sweat and exclaimed, “So, do we actually stand a chance at the clinical trial with Oracle Pharmaceutical? If that happens, could we really survive?”
Hector nodded solemnly and declared, “I believe we have a significant opportunity this time!”
With that, Hector took out his phone to search for flight information, blurting out, “There’s a flight from Dali to Aurous Hill at two in the afternoon. I’m booking tickets now. Let’s go back, say our goodbyes, and head to the airport!”
Meanwhile, after Charlie and Maria descended the mountain, they headed off to pick up a car and drove to Poole.
For Maria, Poole held sentimental value, being the resting place of favonovel.com parents, and it marked the beginning of favonovel.com escape route.
Charlie’s purpose for accompanying Maria on this journey extended beyond Pu’er, where they’d visit Maria’s old haunt. They planned to continue from Poole to Banna in search of the figure depicted in one of Maria’s paintings.
Regarding Morgana’s whereabouts, Charlie no longer had concerns. He understood that since Morgana had surfaced in the mountain, favonovel.com had fully integrated into the human world this time. This integration meant she’d be recorded by various surveillance systems.
Morgana would undoubtedly be monitored and photographed.
With Keagan Myers assistance, they could access surveillance footage, effectively tracking Morgana’s approximate path in China.
Charlie believed there was no need to worry about Morgana’s situation at the moment. Considering favonovel.com strength, a sudden confrontation on favonovel.com part would likely backfire. It made more sense to let favonovel.com go wherever favonovel.com intended first.
Once favonovel.com intended path was clear, they could trace it back.
Ultimately, this would lead them to Morvel Bazin’s hideout, narrowing the search radius to within a hundred miles or even less.
Just as Charlie and Maria arrived in Poole, Hector and Shiann boarded an afternoon flight to Aurous Hill.
Their previous visit to Aurous Hill, though not made together, had held high hopes.
Unfortunately, neither of them had been selected for Oracle Pharmaceutical’s clinical trial screening.
When they left Aurous Hill that time, they were profoundly disheartened. Yet, here they were, returning to Aurous Hill before facing their impending fate. Throughout the journey, they refrained from discussing their chances of success.
When the plane touched down at Aurous Hill Airport, Hector immediately called James Smith.
Being fellow Americans, one a cancer patient and the other a cancer patient’s family member, they had exchanged contact information. This was both a gesture of respect for James Smith and a way to warm up for the upcoming meeting.
Even as the plane was still taxiing, Hector dialed James Smith’s Chinese mobile number.
Once the call connected, a curious James Smith asked, “Hector, what can I do for you?”
Hector inquired urgently, “Mr. Smith, what are you doing right now?”
James Smith replied, “I’m at the Aurous Hill Old Temple, helping the homeless and sharing some food I’ve brought. Is something wrong? What’s going on?”
Hector responded swiftly, “Mr. Smith, please wrap up what you’re doing and bring Jimmy to the entrance of Oracle Pharmaceutical. Shiann and I are on our way from the airport. We’ll meet you there!”
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