A Healer’s Journey

Chapter 73 Outsider
After coming out from the reception room, Bernice no longer kept a distance from
Finnegan. She took the audacious step of linking her arm with his as they sauntered toward the banquet hall.
When encountering familiar faces, she would take the initiative to introduce Finnegan as her boyfriend graciously.
Astonished gazes and hushed conversations soon flooded the room.
“What’s happening here? Since when did Ms. Zimmerman have a boyfriend?”
“Look at him. He seems distinguished. Could he be from some wealthy family? Otherwise, he wouldn’t be worthy of Ms.
Zimmerman.”
“What wealthy family? I just heard from Timothy that he’s just an average Joe. Ms. Zimmerman fell for him because he saved
Ms. Zimmerman twice by sheer luck.”
Oh, so he’s just an ordinary guy. Then there’ll be some real drama to look forward to. I heard that Old Mr. Zimmerman has
already promised to betroth her to the Sable family.”
While the crowd engaged in whispered murmurs, Finnegan and Bernice had already made their way to a window on the left side
of the banquet hall.
Finnegan held her hand and asked, “Darling, do you think I’m worth all this drama?”
Even though Bernice did not have a falling out with her family, they were already on bad terms with each other.
With her back against the crowd, she whispered, “There’s no turning back now. You’ve got to treat me right and stay loyal to me.
Otherwise, I will never forgive you.”
Finnegan grinned at the gentle yet fierce determination in her posture. “Which version of you is real, Darling?”
Normally, she was gentle and shy in front of him.
However, Bernice had seemed like a different woman when she boldly strode into the banquet hall just now.
Cocking her head, she asked, “Which version of me do you like?”

“Do you really want to know?”
“Of course!”
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Finnegan’s l*ps curled into a playful smile. He leaned in and whispered, “When we’re dating. I prefer the softer, more delicate
you. In bed, however, the more audacious version of you may be more... intriguing.”
Bernice’s checks flushed a rosy hue, and she pinched his waist fiercely. “Stop that”
Finnegan gasped in pain. “Are you trying to murder your husband-to-be?”
“I told you to watch your mouth.
Finnegan chuckled and held Bernice’s hand. “All right, all right. You can be whoever you want to be. Maybe the gentle version of
you isn’t too bad. Who knows you might call me Daddy?” Finnegan hurriedly changed the topic when he noticed Bernice was
about to pinch him again. “I reckon your grandpa’s request is quite difficult to fulfill, no?”
Gone was Bernice’s bashful demeanor when Finnegan mentioned her promise to Bruce. “It is difficult, but I believe I can do it.”
“If you can’t do it, does that mean we’ll have to separate?”
Bernice eyed Finnegan. “I only promised Grandpa because I don’t want to fall out with my family. I want everyone in the family to
accept you, but I’ll have to elope with you if I can’t make it after three months. I won’t be a CEO by then, so are you going to
provide for me?”
Ah, so that’s what Bernice has been planning.
In a serious tone, Finnegan replied, “I’ll provide for you even if you’re jobless. Besides, I will never let you lose the bet with your
grandpa.”
From afar, Cindy sighed to herself at the sight.
It seems impossible for Bernie to stay away from Finnegan. I guess I’ll have to focus on Finnegan.
It was almost seven thirty, and the banquet was about to commence.

Guests who were previously engrossed in conversation took their seats. Bruce, his wife, and at pair of grandfather and grandson
entered the banquet hall, causing a commotion.
“It’s Old Mr. Sable and his grandson! It seems that the rumors are true, then. For the sake of expanding their business, the
Zimmerman family is looking to bind themselves to the Sable family through an arranged marriage.”
“Ms. Zimmerman brought her boyfriend today, Will we witness something interesting tonight?”
“I guess that is very likely. Poor guy. He’s down on his luck today.”
21
Some guests engaged in hushed whispers at the sight of Reginald and Liam.
Finnegan, who was dragged to the front by Bernice, heard everything clearly.
He edged closer to Bernice and asked, “Are those two from the Sable family, one of the ten prominent families in Jadeborough?”
In a low voice, Bernice answered, “Yes, they’re ranked only below the Miles family and the Haimowitz family. The older man is
Reginald Sable, the patriarch of the family and founder of Regi Group. The younger man is Liam Sable. He’s the third-generation
eldest grandson and the appointed successor of the Sable family!
Bernice paused briefly and lowered her voice further as she continued, “Liam and I studied. at the same university. We were very
young when we met each other. He started to pursue me when we were older. He’s really good at pleasing my grandma, so what
you’ve heard just now was caused by my grandma. I don’t have any feelings for Liam.”
Finnegan briefly touched her waist. “You don’t have to explain yourself. I know you don’t like him. Otherwise, the two of you
would have gotten together a long time ago.”
Bernice had been afraid that Finnegan might misunderstand. However, judging by his response, Bernice knew she had been
worried about nothing.
She pulled Finnegan to the table with the younger family members of the Zimmerman family.
Queenie and Timothy were already seated at the table. At the sight of Bernice bringing an outsider to the table, she said in a
displeased tone, “Bernie, this is a table reserved only for the Zimmerman family. Please have this man head to another table.”

“He is my boyfriend. Where I sit, he sits.”
Queenie grimaced, but upon meeting Bernice’s gaze, she suppressed her displeasure.
Patrick, Bishop, and their wives were seated at the main table not far away. With a face full of smiles, Bruce said, “Old Mr. Sable,
Liam, come take a seat.”
Liam, about a hundred and eighty centimeters tall and exuding an air of nobility, turned around to look at the neighboring table
and said, “Old Mr. Zimmerman, I’ll just sit over there
with Bernie.”
Millicent beamed with delight and said, “Sure, sure. You young folks should sit together. You should also take the opportunity to
get to know Bernie better.”
Millicent had deliberately spoken in a loud voice, causing everyone to smirk.
Liam nodded and approached Finnegan’s table.
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ifferent. The other younger family
and said, “Mr. Sable, come have a seat.”
o Bernice for Liam.
1 she stood up and went over to Finnegan’s ce looked at Queenie and said, “Queenie, mmermans? Even my boyfriend is ere?”
talking about?”
I was just saying. No need to take it to
d that Bernice was much more ruthless
ed a smile. “Bernie, is this your-
, or you may call me Bernice. I don’t want