Chapter 77 Frenemies
At exactly eight, everyone gathered in Taylor’s office for the morning meeting.
Before the meeting officially began, Taylor formally introduced Evelyn.
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Rowan, standing nearby, jumped in impatiently. “Evelyn is my apprentice now. None of you are to bully her, and do not pile extra work on her. Anyone who does will answer to me.”
Hah, the biggest bully here is you, probably.
Extra tasks?
Impossible. She was Rowan’s apprentice.
There was no way she would have time for anything extra.
“Of course not,” Myrtle said. “We’ll show your apprentice all the care she needs, Dr. Cook. We promise. She needs it.”
Given how unlucky the young woman was, people genuinely felt a little protective toward
her.
Rowan, unaware of this, looked satisfied and melted back into the crowd.
With the introductions finished, Taylor started the meeting.
As usual, the discussion focused on difficult cases and possible treatments. Department heads gave their opinions, collaborating to develop better plans for patients.
Evelyn was new, so she had no context for the cases. She listened half–heartedly, her attention drifting.
That was when she noticed it–a sharp glare aimed at her from across the room.
It was Harriet.
Myrtle had mentioned yesterday that Harriet had arrived last week. She should have been familiar with the cases and ready to contribute.
But instead, she was staring at Evelyn, her anger seemed ready to burst from her chest.
How is it that this plain Jane gets everyone’s attention? She just got here yesterday, and they’re all rushing to protect her already.
And that old git, Rowan. He just told the whole hospital that Evelyn’s under his protection.
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Harriet had been assigned to Tom, and during her first meeting, he had barely acknowledged her with a nod.
The difference in treatment was stark, and it stung.
She should’ve been the one who got the princess treatment, while this plain woman should’ve been invisible.
But now everything was upside down.
If looks could kill, Evelyn would already be dead.
Her train of thought broke when Tom nudged her with his elbow.
“Harriet, focus. You took care of this patient last week. Listen to everyone’s opinions and summarize for me later.”
“I know,” Harriet muttered, irritated.
Her own mentor was soft–spoken and easygoing. He never got into any conflicts with anyone. The guy was a pushover, really.
And Taylor had thought this pairing was appropriate? She had been transferred from Kingstead for this? She deserved someone better.
Small–town doctors. They have never seen the bigger world. They don’t even recognize talent even when it’s slapping them in the face!
By the time she finished fuming, the meeting was almost over.
Rowan had not taken a trainee in years. With Evelyn practically landing in his lap, he was
ecstatic.
As soon as Taylor dismissed everyone, Rowan waved at Evelyn. “Come on, Evelyn. I’ll take you on rounds. My patients should meet you. If you’re my apprentice, people need to know your name!
Evelyn nodded and followed him out.
She could clearly feel the sympathetic glances from those around her.
Rowan’s office was unusual. It sat in the far corner of the second floor and used to be small
storage room.
Rowan claimed it was convenient for monitoring patients at night. If something happened, he could respond immediately.
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But the office itself was harsh on Rowan.
The space was cramped, windowless, and damp. The air was sticky and oppressive the moment you entered.
Rowan stepped inside first and glanced back at Evelyn, studying her expression.
To his surprise, she didn’t flinch.
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Most interns or nurses who came in couldn’t hide their discomfort, even if they kept their complaints to themselves.
This place was undeniably unpleasant.
But medicine was never about comfort.
“What do you think of this place?” Rowan asked, testing her.
Evelyn looked around slowly and answered honestly, “It’s too dark, too small, and too damp. It’s not really fit for working in.”
Rowan’s face darkened.
He had thought that finally getting a trainee before retirement was fate, and that she would be just the kind of apprentice he liked.
Maybe not. She sounded like the others.
He was about to speak when Evelyn added, “Dr. Cook, you’re a doctor. You know this environment can cause rheumatism.
‘I’ll get something from the kitchen when it’s lunchtime. We can leave them in the corners to absorb some moisture. You should also keep the door open more often. That way, the air circulates better, and there’s more light to work with.”
Rowan’s excitement flared uncontrollably.
Finally, fate had smiled on him.
He always said that getting an apprentice just before retirement was a gift from the universe.
Seeing Evelyn now, it was more than a gift–it was a treasure.
“You don’t mind this place, do you? You’ll be spending a lot of time here with me,” Rowan asked again.
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Evelyn’s attitude was straightforward. If the environment was bad, she would improve it. Nothing was hopeless.
Her composure quietly unlocked the first barrier Rowan had set in his mind.
Even on rounds, Rowan beamed proudly, introducing Evelyn to patients and staff as his talented apprentice.
He praised her skills lavishly, which made Evelyn feel slightly uneasy.
If he ever overdid it, she wondered who’d be the first to be embarrassed. Her, or Rowan?
They were consulting with a patient when Rowan stiffened suddenly. His face grew serious. “That’s enough for today’s rounds. Go organize the records for the patients I mentioned. I’ll review them in my office later.”
Halfway through rounds? That was unusual.
Rowan was a top surgeon who demanded precision. Mistakes like that were rare.
Evelyn was about to double–check when a cheerful voice rang from nearby. “Dr. Cook, how are the rounds going? Any special cases today?”
Rowan’s neck snapped toward the voice, and he snapped sharply in front of the patient. “What do you mean by that? Are you expecting rare cases to pop up among my patients?”
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Reborn for Love and Revenge
