Chapter: 114

“Fine. I'm just showing a bit of concern here. If it were you in that spot, I'd worry about you too," Jolie retorted.

Norah headed straight for the Neurosurgery Department, only to find out Aikin was swamped with patients at the outpatient clinic.

A colleague from the department teased, "Dr. Wilson, you're really dedicated, running to Dr. Rivera right after getting a moment apart. Afraid someone might sweep him off his feet?"

Norah gave the speaker a frosty look and retorted, "Perhaps you should consider donating your brain if it's of no use to you."

It was clear to Norah that only those who didn't engage their brains would take rumors at face value and speak carelessly in front of those involved.

Disregarding the comment, Norah returned to the Cardiac Surgery Department. She understood seeking out Aikin at the outpatient clinic would be futile now. There was ample time to set things straight with him later.

"Crash!" In a secluded grove, Norah, clad in her doctor's coat, expertly flipped a man over her shoulder and firmly stomped her foot on his chest.

“Aikin, I've warned you about my temper. It seems you didn't quite understand my words yesterday. You chose to test my patience," Norah declared flatly.

Increasing the pressure, Norah added, “Don't blame me for not holding back."

Aikin's face flushed from the pressure, whimpering under Norah's hold.

On the blistering afternoon sun, the secluded grove beside the hospital offered privacy for Norah's confrontation.

“Did Madeline offer you anything to continue to spread these rumors? Your actions today just to provoke me?" Leaning in close, Norah whispered menacingly, "Did you really think you could play games with me?"

A sharp slap sent Aikin reeling, his teeth rattling from the impact, fear seizing him.

"I made a mistake, please! I don't even know who Madeline is. I'll make things right with our colleagues, I swear!" Aikin's plea was desperate, tears streaming down his face.

The previous day, Aikin had been intimidated by someone resembling a bodyguard, keeping silent to avoid further trouble. This morning, his vague messages in the chat were intended to irk Norah. Hadn't he been asked to make things clear? He did explain, yet misunderstandings were beyond his control.

Imagining Norah's frustration gave Aikin a sense of victory as he headed to work today. Norah might be stunning, but what of it? They would still be bound together, with her weathering the storm of rumors. In the meantime, he could gain money from the deal he had struck with Madeline.

When Norah summoned him to the secluded grove at midday, Aikin assumed she wanted a clarification. However, he was caught off guard by her fierce onslaught.

Aikin was in agony, puzzled over how someone so graceful could possess such force. The pain didn't just linger. It grew.

"Ah, seeking clarification now? It's a bit late for that." Norah pulled Aikin's phone from his pocket, used his fingerprint to unlock it, accessed the hospital's chat group, took pictures, and uploaded them.

Norah sent the messages with Aikin's account, “For those who spread rumors, think twice. Next time you casually toss around rumors, expect this to happen."

Norah's posting with Aikin's account, showing his bruised face, shocked everyone in the chat.

"Who sent this? It can't be him, right?"

“Come on. No one in their right mind would post their beaten-up photos. Someone beat Dr. Rivera and then posted these in the group.”

"Who would dare assault a doctor here in the hospital? Should we alert security?"