Chapter 98
The office was abuzz with conversation as Leanne’s colleagues interrupted with a chorus of encouragement for her recent promotion.
“You got to treat us to something big, make it a celebration to remember,” they laughed.
“No problem,” Leanne smiled, her tone light and carefree. “I’ll treat you all to whatever your fancy.”
Then, Dr. Chase, who had been silent, decided to join in. “Dr. Castillo,” he began with a hint of nosiness, “who is your husband? He must be some big shot if even the director has to step aside.”
His father-in-law was the head of the medical administration department, overseeing promotions, and he knew someone had Leanne’s back, so the hospital director had no choice but to demote Sandra.
However, all the director had disclosed was that the ophthalmologist, Dr. Castillo, had some powerful connections they couldn’t afford to cross without revealing any specifics.
At Dr. Chase’s words, everyone’s gaze shifted to Leanne. The enigma surrounding her husband had everyone in the department curious.
Sandra, in particular, was itching to spill the beans, reveal Leanne’s innocent demeanor was all an act, that she was far more cunning than she appeared, and that no one knew. what kind of maneuvers she had used to marry into wealth. Keywords like Mr. Curtis and VectorVista Bank were on her tongue. But the director’s explicit warning had her biting her tongue so hard that she was practically suffocating.
Leanne glanced at Dr. Chase, remembering how he had made a drunken joke at her expense at a recent gathering, only to be shut down by Donna, who likened him to a piece of shit.
Leanne answered him coldly, “A man much like yourself.”
“Oh, I could never match up to your husband,” Dr. Chase retorted with a layered meaning. “No wonder you wouldn’t settle for any of us regular guys, Dr. Castillo. If I were as stunning as you, I’d marry rich, too.”
He had transferred from another department and was initially attentive toward Leanne. After realizing she wasn’t interested, he couldn’t help feeling a bit resentful.
Despite being married, he had a habit of flirting with other women, and after hitting a wall with Leanne, he’d moved on to cozying up with the pretty nurses. As a result, he wasn’t popular among the department’s women, but with his connections, no one dared to confront him, except for Donna, who never minced her words.
“Don’t be sour just because Dr. Castillo didn’t give you the time of day,” Donna said
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Chapter 98
sharply. “With your sour attitude, you might want to give yourself a reality check. Don’t aim so high that you forget your roots!”
The office erupted into laughter at Donna’s quip, and Dr. Chase’s face turned red with embarrassment. He glared at Donna before storming off with a patient file in hand.
That evening, Leanne treated her closest colleagues to a lavish seafood buffet, followed by a spirited hangout at the bar. During a bathroom break with Amy, Leanne had a hunch that she was being watched. She looked around but saw nothing wrong, dismissing it as a figment of her imagination.
Suffering from overindulgence in crab, Amy leaned on Leanne for support as they headed back to the booth. Shortly after, unable to bear the discomfort, Amy decided to head home with Leanne’s assistance.
Leanne watched Amy’s taxi fade into the night before heading back inside. As she pushed open the heavy door of the bar, a force from the inside yanked it open. Leanne stumbled but caught herself, only to find a hand reaching out to steady her.
Looking up, she saw a man with a sly, knowing grin. “Careful there,” he said.
It was Derek, someone she recognized from Suzan’s welcoming bash.
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