apter 96 A Gift
Everyone stared as Rowan and the woman walked out of the room.
Finished
Before leaving, Rowan gave instructions. “Meeting’s over. Go do your own work. Evelyn, go check the wards and put the patient records on my desk.”
He gave Evelyn that job on purpose. It was his way of keeping her busy so she wouldn’t follow him.
Whether things went well or badly in that room, he didn’t want her to get involved or get hurt.
Evelyn knew this.
But she also knew Rowan’s temper. If he came back and didn’t see the records on his desk, he’d get furious and punish her for real.
Nervous, she grabbed the notebook and rushed off to the wards.
If I move fast enough, maybe I can finish in time.
But for some reason, every patient suddenly had a small problem–one couldn’t sleep, another had a fever and a cough.
Evelyn ran back and forth for 20 minutes and hadn’t even finished one ward.
Normally, she was gentle and patient, but today, she looked clearly anxious.
“Dr. Schmidt, do you have an emergency? If you’re busy, you can come by later,” one patient said kindly.
Evelyn forced a small smile. “It’s okay. The thermometer’s ready–let me check your temperature.”
The patient didn’t stop her and took out the thermometer from their armpit and handed it to Evelyn.
Just before she reached out, someone else grabbed the thermometer first.
She turned and saw it was Myrtle.
“Dr. Schmidt, I’ll handle the rounds. You go take care of other stuff,” Myrtle said.
Evelyn froze. “I can’t let you do that.”
“It’s fine. I’m off this morning anyway. I’ve got time, so let me help.”
“But Dr. Cook told me to do it,” Evelyn muttered, feeling a sudden headache.
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Chapter 96 A Gift
Sometimes following orders too strictly wasn’t a good thing.
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Finished
Myrtle reminded her, “Dr. Cook only asked for the records on his desk. I’ll finish the rounds and give the notebook to you later. Then you can put it on his desk yourself. Go on, hurry! If you’re distracted, you might miss something.”
Hearing that, Evelyn felt her courage return.
She nodded, quickly thanked Myrtle, and ran off.
All the way to the ward, Evelyn made up her mind–if the patient’s family was upset, thinking last night’s surgery was reckless, or wanted to complain, she would take the blame herself.
At least Rowan wouldn’t get dragged into it.
With just a little more than a year before retirement, it would be such a shame if Rowan got a bad record now.
But as soon as she reached the ward door, she froze. Inside, she heard laughter and cheerful voices. The atmosphere felt warm, not tense at all.
She stopped, confused.
Before she could move, the woman from earlier appeared behind her. “Doctor, are you here for something?”
Her voice drew everyone’s attention.
The door was open, and Rowan saw Evelyn. He smiled and waved. “Come in!”
He turned to the patient’s bed. “Speak of the devil! No need to call her–here she is, my beloved apprentice.”
His usual stern look was gone, replaced by a warm, gentle smile like spring sunshine.
Evelyn was startled. For a second, she thought Rowan had gone mad from joy.
But once she stepped in, she understood–the mood in the room was totally different.
It felt more like a cozy living room than a hospital ward.
The elderly veteran from last night was awake now, smiling brightly at her. “Hello! You saved my life.”
Saved his life?
“I told everyone it was your call last night, made without hesitation. They all praised you, said you’re so young, brave, and clever. If you were on the battlefield, you’d be leading the army. See? Such high praise!”
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Chapter 96 A Gift
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Finished
Hearing them praise Evelyn, Rowan’s chest filled with sweetness. He felt so proud of her.
Evelyn stayed quiet, then glanced at the chart by the bed. She lowered her head and said softly, “Thank you, Mr. Blair. I don’t deserve such words.”
Harvey Blair noticed her modesty and liked her even more. He waved her closer. “Come here.”
When Evelyn stepped forward, Harvey gave his daughter–in–law a look.
She understood right away and took out a small velvet box from her bag, handing it to Evelyn. “My father–in–law wants to thank you for saving him last night. Please accept this small gift.”
Evelyn quickly backed away, hiding behind Rowan. “I’m sorry, but saving lives is my duty as a doctor. Taking gifts or money isn’t right.”
Even if most people did it nowadays, Evelyn refused.
Saving someone’s life was just that–it had nothing to do with money or things.
Her salary was already enough.
But Harvey wouldn’t let it go. He made the woman open the box to show her. “It’s not valuable. Just a medal. Last night, I nearly got hit by a car trying to pick it up, then I had a heart attack. Luckily, you were there, or I wouldn’t be alive now.”
Inside was an old silver medal. Time had darkened it, making it look plain, but Harvey had risked his life for it. It was obviously precious to him.
“Since it’s so important to you, I can’t take it. Your recovery is the best gift for me,” Evelyn said.
But Harvey insisted.
“It’s because it’s precious that I want you to have it, Dr. Schmidt. Without you, I’d be gone. Then what use would this medal be? If I give it to you, I’ll be reminded that you saved my life whenever I think of it. That way, it keeps its meaning.”
Evelyn opened her mouth to refuse again, but Rowan cut her off. “Evelyn, say thank you.”
She
gave him an annoyed look, but in the end, she had no choice. She accepted the medal and whispered, “Thank you.”
Harvey’s face lit up, and he happily kept chatting with her,
But since he had just gone through major surgery, he needed rest. Evelyn and Rowan didn’t stay long and soon left quietly.
Out in the hallway, Evelyn finally let her true feelings come through. She frowned and scolded Rowan. “Dr. Cook, what were you thinking? I can’t accept someone’s gift! If people find out, they’ll say our hospital takes bribes for surgery. That’s awful!”
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Chapter 96 A Gift
“You don’t get it. Other gifts you can reject. But this one, you have to accept.”
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Finished
