Chapter 43
Felicia explained, “It’s a photography studio my friend nuns. She needs some sample photos for promotion. Plus, she’s an independent photographer herself, and tons of people are dying to bookher.”
Melody quickly interrupted Felicia and said, “A print model? Me? No way! I’m not good–looking enough for that.”
Felicia burst
laughing. “Who told you that? If you weren’t attractive, then why did so many have a chon you back in school?”
fly added to her
Melody wasn’t the type to tum heals at first glance, but she had the kind of understated beauty that grew on prople. Her quiet, gentle demeanor only a cham, like the first love that lingers in memory
Back in their school days, plenty of guys had come to relicia trying to get the scoop on Melody, nut it wasn’t as if Melody had ever noticed, especially since she was ans too focused on her studies.
Felicia didn’t want to push her and said, “If you’re not interested, it’s no big deal. But my friend pays pretty well, soo dollars per set.
“Then again, I guess you won’t have the time now that you’re back at the hospital”
Melody hesitated, “500 dollars per set? Are you serious?
“why would i lie to you?”
Melody gripped her phone tighter and muttered, “Then I’ll do it. Help me talk to your friend, okay?”
“When did she start hearing again?” Krystal glanced at Melody before directing the question at jeremy.
“Last night,” Jeremy replied with his eyes fixed on the patient tile in front of him.
Jeremy was known for his meticiousness and precision. When be was studying a case, his isharp features took on a serious, almost intimidating air.
Currently, he was dressed in his white coat, which made him exade a natural sense of authority.
Some people were simply born for this profession
Krystal had only been in this department for a short time, but she’d already heard about Jeremy’s flawless surgical record
She spoke again, “Melody’s current state isn’t suitable for staying in the hospital, I heard she’s been shadowing all your surgeries.
“Would you really feel comfortable letting her anywhere near at
near aropérating table again after what happened?
“Even if you trust her, do you think the patients will?”
Jeremy troze for a second before slowly lifting his gaze. “I thought you wanted to discuss the case with me?”
Krystal was caught off guard.
wanted to hear your take on it.”
However, she quickly regained her composure and casually said, “I just realized that when we voted, only you and I disagreed. So, I u
Jenny closed the patient tile and glanced toward Melody. His expression remained calm, betraying no hint of his thoughts.
He said, “I never objected. I stayed neutral. As long as she’s capable, I have no issue.“‘
Krystal teli silent.
By then, Jeremy had already gathered his things. He said, “ll take the tile back to my office for further review.”
Melody caught sight of jeresný leaving when she retumed from her call.
Tiffany asked her, “Who called? You were on the phone forages.”
However, Melody brushed past the topic without laborating,
Melody hadn’t expected that she’d find Tess waiting for her upon returning to the nurse’s station.
To be honest, sering Tessa now filled her with complicated emotions
Tessa was seated in a wheelchair with a cap pulled low over her bead. She looked at Melody with a calm expression “We need to talk”
Her voice no longer carried the urgency or anger of before, instead, it was unnervingly calm.
Melody nodded. “Alright.”
She stepped forward and pushed Tessa’s wheelchair, guiding her to the same runterence rooms from earlier that aftensson
There were security cameras here.
Melody spoke first, “I’m sorry, Madam Langford, but think this is safer for the both of us.”
Tessa’s voice was hoarse. “At least you’re not completely stupid.”
Melody took a bath before saying again, “Madam Langford, I don’t know how to convince you, but I swear, I never leaked your information.”
Tessa’s face bore clear signs of exhaustion hercheeks were sunken and her lips were dry and pale.
Her hands—still resting on the wheelchair–had an IV catheter Insected into it, and her exposed skin was littered with needle marks.
Chapter 44
Tessa’s voice was hoarse as she slowly said, “I know you’re Andrew’s daughter, and he’s nothing but a hypocrite. So how good could his daughter possibly be?”
Jost that one sentence seemed to drain all the strength from Melody.
Her voice grew weak as she replied, “I won’t hold you accountable. Just tell me, who made you do it?
“Was it my competitors? Or someone from my own company?
“Not only will I let this go if you tell me, but I’ll pay you too.
“Isn’t money the reason you did this? Fine. How much do you want? Five hundred thousand? A million? Just give me a figure, and it’s yours.” Tessa’s gaze remained fixed on Meledy, unwavering in her belief that she was the one who betrayed her.
Melody took a deep breath and met Tessa’s eyes head–on.
She spoke with patience and explained, “Madam Langford, no matter how much money you offer, the fact is I didn’t do this.
“I’m just as angry about what happened to you as you are. But you can’t keep accusing me without proof.
“It’s been so long, and you still haven’t found any evidence against me. Meanwhile, I’ve had to keep proving my innocence over and over again. That’s not fair,” Melody let out a soft sigh
The hat Tessa wore was too big for her and almost swallowed her whole. Something flickered in her eyes for a brief moment, but it was gone in an instant.
She remained stubborn and said, “There’s no one else. It has to be you.”
Melody slowly stood up. She had been crouching the entire time while speaking to Tessa.
she calmly said, “Madam Langford, let me take you back to your room so you can rest”
Melody knew this wasn’t something she could clear up with words alone. The only way to prove her innocence was to find the real traitor–the one who had leaked Tessa’s information.
After settling Tessa back in her hospital room, Melody turned around to see Jeremy standing there
He was probably here to check on Tessa’s condition.
jeremy’s voice was low as he asked, “What are you doing here?”
“I talked to her a little while ago and brought her back,” Melody replied. Then, she added, “We talked in the conference room. There’s surveillance footage.” Jeremy nodded and tumed to enter the hospital room.
Melody called out, “Jeremy, 1.
jeremy stopped and looked at her.
Melody wanted to ask whether or not he wanted her back in the department, but the moment their eyes met, the words got caught in her throat. Jeremy frowned slightly. “What is it?”
Melody clutched the hem of her coat, lier voice barely above a whisper. “Do you have a problem with me coming back to the department?” Jeremy’s gaze dropped slightly.
Melody’s heart pounded, and she could feel his scrutiny. However, she wanted to hear his answer.
She knew she was being stubbom by asking things most people wouldn’t,
Just then, the sound of the hospital room door opening interrupted the tension, and along with it came jeremy’s indifferent reply. “Do as you like.”
Melody froze for a couple of seconds before understanding what he meant—it didn’t concern him, so he didn’t care. Whatever she did was up to her.
Melody couldn’t quite describe how she felt, but it definitely wasn’t happiness.
Alterthat, she dragged her feet back to the nurse’s station
She was still early for her shift, but Krystal was already there waiting forher.
Krystal said without a hint of emotion, “The ICU is short staffed. You’ll be working these this afternoon.”
The ICU only had a few patients, but it was easily the most exhausting department in the hospital.
