Marcus noticed Sydney’s calm expression and chuckled. “They say it’s rare to see Dr. Wilson so cold. People think you might have some issue with Penelope.”
Sydney said nothing. Her eyes were fixed on the thermal container Marcus had brought.
“For me?” she asked softly.
“Yeah.” He set the container down before her. “Beef, eggplant, and cabbage. Eliana asked me to bring these especially for you.”
Sydney lifted the lid and inhaled the rich aroma deeply. She tasted the eggplant and smiled warmly. “You went to see Eliana?”
“Yeah, we talked about that Sterling Corp. project.” Marcus sat across from her. “How’s the food?”
“Great, of course.” She returned his smile. “Have you tried any?”
He hesitated, his clear eyes lingering on her face. “Not yet.”
“Then let’s eat together.” Sydney pulled out a pair of disposable utensils and handed them to him. “So, what’s the update on the Sterling Corp. project? When does it start?”
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“First, let’s eat.” He glanced at the time and added softly, “We’ll talk after you finish work tonight. Oh, by the way, Ryan Morales just accepted Penelope as a mentee.”
Sydney paused mid–bite but showed no surprise. Caleb always planned carefully for Penelope. Besides Alan, Ryan was the other authority in the clinic.
She nodded. “With him overseeing things, there shouldn’t be any major slip–ups.”
Just before clocking out after acupuncture on her last patient, Sydney’s phone buzzed. It was a message from Caleb.
Caleb: [Syd, I’m coming to pick you up.]
Her brow tightened as she considered refusing. Before she could think of a reason, a nurse suddenly shouted, “Dr. Wilson! A patient just fainted!”
Sydney’s reflexes kicked in. She dropped her phone into her pocket and rushed over.
After checking the patient’s pulse and complexion, she commanded, “Get me a three–edged needle!”
A nurse hurried over with the instrument. Sydney inserted it precisely, gently bleeding the patient until he
stirred.
From the watching crowd, someone shouted excitedly, He’s awake! He’s awake!”
“Bring a stretcher, and don’t let him move on his own.” Sydney kept working and instructed a nurse to steady the newly conscious patient. “You nearly had a stoke. Do not move.”
The spectators murmured in admiration. “Dr. Wilson’s kill is impeccable.”
Another patient said proudly, “She cured my chronic illess years ago!”
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Chapter 62
+15 BONUS
Far off, Penelope’s expression darkened. She had been praised as naturally gifted in college.. So why was Sydney, younger still, receiving all the praise at the clini?
Before leaving, Sydney calmly gave post–treatment instructions. “Take your medicine twice a day, Come for acupuncture every day. Don’t skip. Any slip–up now could lead to serious consequences.”
The patient spoke gratefully. “Understood. Thank you, r. Wilson.”
Sydney changed out of her coat and saw the familiar Maybach parked outside. Then she remembered she had not replied to Caleb’s message.
Before she could act, he stepped out and began walking toward her. She had seen this scene before at family events. When Caleb was short on time, he would sometimes pick her up on his way home. But he never used to get out of the car; he usually waited inside.
Still, she had always sensed something in the gesture. She used to hope for a sweet, loving husband–and-
wife bond.
“Caleb!” Penelope suddenly jogged toward him and stood before him, posing sweetly. “Look at you. You remembered to come pick me up after work!”
