RedNovelRegret 44 Charlotte stared at the demotion report on her desk, her expression growing dark and heavy.
She was an attending physician, and while Tricia, the department head, technically outranked her, Charlotte had always enjoyed special privileges from Dean Chase. She'd never had to answer to any department head-until now.
But this transfer report, bearing Dean Chase's signature, made it clear: this decision had cfrom the very top. And the only person with that kind of influence...
There was no one else it could be.
Evander.
Charlotte's grip tightened around the folder, a cold wave of anger and dread surging in her chest.
"Dr. Sterling, what's wrong? Not happy with the news?" Director Fontaine's voice carried a note of smug satisfaction. He'd never liked Charlotte, not since Dean Chase singled her out for special treatment.
He'd devoted fifteen years of tireless work to the hospital, and here was a young upstart-barely three years in- already catching the dean's eye. What made her so special? At first, he'd assumed she had spowerful family pulling strings behind the scenes.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtSo he'd swallowed his resentment.
But then Tricia had been parachuted into Metropolitan General under Evander's name, and Fontaine had learned just how little Evander thought of Charlotte. After that, he'd felt free to let his contempt show.
After all, whatever connections Charlotte boasted, could she really rival the Howards? Charlotte barely glanced at him, tossed the report onto her desk, and said coolly, "Do I need to report my feelings to you now?" She brushed past Director Fontaine and headed back to her office.
Fontaine watched her retreating figure with a snort. "Rude brat. Let's see how long 09:38 that attitude lasts." It was late by the tCharlotte dragged herself home, exhaustion weighing her down.
The living room lights were on.
She paused in the entryway, eyes drawn to the man sitting on the sofa in a bathrobe. He looked freshly showered, damp hair glinting under the soft white lights.
He glanced at his watch. "You're just getting in now?" She slipped off her shoes and said nothing.
"Why didn't you answer my call this morning?" "I was in surgery." Charlotte walked straight toward the bedroom.
Evander's gaze darkened. He stood up and followed her. "You'll be under Tricia's supervision for a while. Whatever's happened between you two, I hope you can work it out and cooperate. So I expect you to rein it in- understand?" Charlotte stopped just outside the walk-in closet and turned to face him. "You think it's just a misunderstanding between us?" "What else would it be?" His reply was matter-of-fact, his tone leaving no room for argument.
It was a far cry from the way he used to urge her to keep her distance from Tricia.
She let out a quiet laugh. “Evander, aren't you afraid I might tell her about us?" There it was.
His expression turned cold, long fingers absently tracing the face of his watch as he fixed his eyes on her. "Charlotte, don't test my patience. You can't have everything." That's right.
No one gets to have everything.
A familiar ache tightened in her chest.
Except-she hadn't gotten what she wanted at all.
"It's just two months," he went on, his voice almost casual. "Once she's ready to handle things on her own, I'll make sure you're promoted to associate director. That's a powerful enough position, isn't it?" A jump from department head to associate director in just three years...
It was the kind of promotion most people couldn't even dream of.
No wonder her father had gone to such lengths to curry fayor with m O Evander for Hiram's sake. There are few things more effective than money-except power.
When she didn't answer, Evander's patience frayed. "You're not satisfied?"
"I'm satisfied," Charlotte replied, her voice perfectly e just two months. accept." After all, in two months, nothing here would matter to her anymore.
She turned into the closet to grab her pajamas and left the bedroom e without another word. Evander didn't stop her, only watched her go, his brow furrowing.
She was just like always-no matter what he asked, she agreed without protest.
He should have been pleased.
So why did it feel different this time? A dark, uncontrollable thought stirred restlessly in his mind, but he forced it back down.
Maybe he was just overthinking it.
00.20
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