Cassie was sitting at the table by the window. She looked down from the 28th floor. The street was
crowded with people. Sunlight bounced off the calm river nearby like a thousand stars swimming at
sea. It looked magnificent and charming, which made Cassie lost in thought. Jamie, who was sitting
beside her, nudged her with his elbow. She snapped back to her senses.
The dean stood up with a kind smile on his wrinkled face. He raised his goblet, the red liquid inside
splashing against the side of the vessel like crimson ocean waves lapping on the shore. It looked pretty
and enchanting against the light in the room.
"To all my dear doctors, you are the backbone of our hospital. We are here to welcome a newly joined
member. You have already met her. Her name is Dr. Audrey Yao. She holds a master's degree in
medicine from Oxford, an accolade that she attained at a young age. She also holds a doctorate in
medicine from Switzerland University. She is indeed a young talent, but I believe that she will be able to
fill the shoes of our former cardiology department directors like Mandy, Leo, and Jamie. I believe as
well that Audrey will make an outstanding contribution to our hospital." The dean grinned from ear to
ear, and the wrinkles on his face became more defined. He looked almost smug as if he had just won
the lottery.
Casting a bitter glance at the dean, Cassie sneered in her heart. 'This woman's means are really
superb. When Leo came back from the UK, nobody held a party for him like this. Now everything's
grand and a big deal just because of Audrey. It's really unsettling.
Is there something going on between Audrey and the dean?'
Cassie could not help speculating as she watched the scene unfold before her. In her eyes, Audrey
looked like someone who would seduce powerful men to get what she wants.
After the dean's little speech, all the doctors in the room applauded. It was as if a big star was in the
room among them.
"Now, may I request Dr. Audrey to please say a few words?" The dean turned to look at Audrey. He
spoke to her with a smile.
Audrey wore a red dress. The design of the waistline perfectly fit her slender waist. It also had a low
neckline so that her full cleavage was revealed. The light reflected beautifully in her face, making her
delicate features look even more stunning.
The dean raised his head and looked at Audrey. He was quite satisfied with her. A young, talented
doctor had come to work at JR Hospital. The hospital was truly lucky to have her. But truth be told, the
dean did have some inappropriate thoughts whenever Audrey was around. He just did not speak of it.
Others might not know it, but the dean knew it clearly: Audrey was Leo's junior schoolmate. Before she
came on board at the hospital, Leo had called the dean on purpose to ask him to take good care of
Audrey. Leo had made an outstanding contribution to the hospital four years ago. He had won a lot of
awards when he was serving the hospital, and he helped boost the hospital's reputation.
Leo had changed a lot. He was not the same person he used to be. Now, he was a big shot in the
business world in City Z, just like the famous Nathan in City A.
"Hello, everyone, I'm Dr. Audrey Yao. First of all, I want to thank the dean for his generous hospitality.
I'm new here, and there are still many things I'm not clear about. I still have a lot of things to learn from
all of you. I look forward to working with you. Thank you." Audrey smiled, her fair face blushing.
"We gather here tonight to celebrate. Enjoy yourselves, and please don't worry about the bill. I'll take
care of it." The dean spoke gleefully. He raised his glass and proposed a toast to everyone at their
table.
The next moment, the sound of clinking glasses echoed across the room.
The dinner party did not end until nine o'clock. Audrey drank a lot. Her alcohol tolerance was just right,
but too many people cheered with her. She was a little drunk by the end of the night.
Cassie observed Audrey and raised her glass to her halfheartedly.
Jayleen grabbed her arm and winked at her, hinting her not to go there.
With a broad smile, Cassie said, "Jayleen, I want to propose a toast to Audrey, our new director.
Welcome and may your talent and leadership inspire us."
Jayleen looked around. The people at their table all stood up and raised their glasses as if they were
really agreeing to what Cassie said in her toast. They were ready to make a toast to Audrey.
"Audrey had already had too much to drink. Let's not make her drink anymore," Jayleen said. She had
worked in the hospital for more than twenty years. She knew it was best that they stop at this point, so
Audrey would not get too drunk.
Jamie was another sensible person. He smiled politely and echoed, "Right. Excess drinking is bad for
our health. Besides, Audrey's face is already red. Please don't make her drink anymore."
"I'm fine. I can drink a lot. Let's continue drinking. But... I need to use the ladies' room first. Wait for me.
I'll propose another toast when I get back," Audrey said. She seemed to be drunk, but her mind was
still sober. It was all her acting.
Audrey had drunk a lot when she was working in Switzerland. She had always been good at pretending
to be drunk. In order to make friends, the first thing one must do was to drink with people.
She stumbled into the bathroom.
She went into a cubicle and gave Leo a call.
After Leo and Milla got back from their honeymoon, there had been a cold war between them. Milla
tried to get rid of Leo, but he refused. In the beginning, their marriage was just to achieve their
respective goals. Now that their goals had been achieved, Leo found that he had already fallen for her.
Leo discovered he had feelings for her, perhaps after her miscarriage.
Under pressure, they had no choice but to have a baby, but they lost it. Milla felt depressed for a month
after the miscarriage. She did not know why she felt so sad. She did not marry Leo for love, but things
happened one after another. They were not supposed to fall in love with each other, but they
did.
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