Chapter 40 He won't be interested in you romantically.
Alice's grandfather is none other than the contemporary top medical expert, Charles Turner, now well into his seventies.
If William were not to return, Charles would undoubtedly be considered the foremost figure in the medical field. The technologies he developed, such as "Nano-bot Resuscitation," "Cryogenic Revival Technique," and "Genetic Repair Injection," could practically bring the dead back to life.
Yet, Charles Turner deeply understands that his medical achievements owe much to William's years of mentorship and benevolence, merely equipping him with skills to make a living.
He doesn't even deserve to call William his master.
Sending Alice to study under William was, at its core, a gamble on Charles's part.
In Charles Turner's eyes, it's highly unlikely that William would accept her as a student. However, with Alice's natural beauty, she might be able to get close to William. If he takes a liking to her and accepts her as a servant, that would be good enough. If William truly falls for Alice, perhaps that would be an even better outcome...
Such an alliance would secure the prosperity of the Turner family for the next few centuries!
The true identity of William, of course, is something Charles has kept from Alice.
Hearing Alice's complaints, a nervous Charles asked, "Alice, did you upset William? Did he kick you out?"
"..." Alice was perplexed. "Kicked out? I chose to leave! Grandfather, don't play dumb. I know you had Dylan work with him to put on a show. And he even demanded I kneel to pay my respects before accepting his mentorship! What do you see in such an arrogant and deceitful man? I don't want any dealings with him!"
Hearing Alice's recount of kneeling to pay respects, Charles Turner's heart raced, and he struggled to breathe, his whole body tingling with excitement.
"You... you agreed to be his student?!" Charles Turner exclaimed, clenching his fist. He thought even with Alice's beauty, she might not catch William's eye. But even if she couldn't become William's love interest, being able to study under him was a blessing beyond measure.
Alice was utterly confused by her grandfather's reaction, saying, "Of course I didn't become his student. I already left his premises."
"Alice! Go back immediately! If he has already agreed, this is your chance!" Charles Turner urged impatiently. "If he's willing to teach you, not to mention the 'Nano-bot Resuscitation', 'Cryogenic Revival Technique', and 'Genetic Repair Injection' techniques, you would have the chance to learn any medical skill in the world!"
"How is that possible? How old is he even?" Alice was in disbelief. Those techniques were her grandfather's exclusive knowledge, and he hadn't passed them on to anyone in the Turner family, even when her father pleaded.
And now her grandfather was saying this about William.
Just who is this William?
"That's not for you to question!" Charles Turner, fearing Alice might miss this golden opportunity, quickly added, "Let me put it this way: if William was willing to take me as his student, even if it meant kneeling for three days, a month, or even a year, I would gladly do it!"
"..." Alice took a deep breath, stunned. The notion that there existed someone in this world her grandfather would kneel before was beyond her comprehension.
Noticing Alice's silence and fearing her stubbornness, Charles Turner's voice grew more stern, "Do you think I sent you to William for romance? I never had that intention, for William might not be interested in you. If you are fortunate enough to study under him, focus on your studies and don't harbor any unrealistic expectations."
This hardly seemed like something a grandfather would say to his granddaughter.
He almost bluntly told Alice that becoming William's student was the opportunity of a lifetime. As for pursuing a romantic relationship with him, she shouldn't even consider it.
Being a smart girl, Alice could deduce that this was not mere reverse psychology from her grandfather. Given Charles Turner's current status, he wouldn't praise any young man to such heights unless he was truly exceptional.
"I've already left!" Alice's feelings were mixed. When William demanded she kneel to show respect, she felt he was being pretentious. Out of anger, she fled. Even though she had previously agreed to be his student, she considered that agreement null due to her exit. Did she really have to go back and kneel to him now?
Without any hesitation, Charles Turner firmly stated, "Go back right now. If he's still willing to accept you, fulfill whatever he asks of you. The future prosperity of the Turner family for the next century rests on your shoulders!"
Alice felt an overwhelming weight on her shoulders. How could the prosperity of the Turner family for the next century possibly be linked to just one young man?
However, Alice was still reluctant and skeptical. Clenching her teeth, she asked, "What if he wants me to sleep with him? Do I have to agree?"
There was a moment of silence on Charles Turner's side. Such a question was genuinely difficult for him to address as a grandfather and elder.
"If he truly takes a liking to you, it would be your fortune," Charles finally said, "But I still believe he won't be interested in you romantically."
Alice felt like she was going to burst with frustration.
She had initially thought her grandfather was merely trying to set her up with William and that William was just a young man her grandfather took a liking to. Now, it seemed she had been overly optimistic.
"Fine! I'll go back!" While Alice verbally agreed, she made up her mind that if William made any unreasonable demands, she would leave immediately, without looking back. She wasn't just a pawn for the future prosperity of the Turner family.
Her decision to return was primarily driven by her intense curiosity about William.
What kind of person was he that her grandfather would speak of him in such terms?
At that moment, William was waiting for the water in the electric kettle to boil.
In the kitchen, William had learned how to use these modern devices from his phone, all the while marveling at the convenience modern technology brought to people's lives.
While the water was still heating, Alice had already reached the door.
"You spoke to your grandfather?" William, feeling somewhat bored, was casually sitting in the kitchen playing with his phone. Hearing footsteps, he casually asked.
Alice gritted her teeth and replied, "I am willing to take you as my master."
William nodded and said, "Then I'll accept you as my disciple. You don't have to kneel. However, from now on, you'll need to heed my advice in all matters."
He had just checked on his phone and realized that people nowadays were not fond of kneeling. William didn't have a habit of pushing people against their will.
She's just a young girl, after all. Why trouble her unnecessarily? Accepting her as a disciple was just a way to stave off his boredom.
He used to have several servants in the past, and having a disciple now might be a good way to pass the time.
"That's it?" Alice was taken aback. She thought William would make things difficult for her upon her return.
William looked up, glancing at her and smiled kindly, "What else were you expecting? If you'd like to kneel, I wouldn't mind."
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