Chapter 73 Tough New Colleague
The introduction letter hit the table with a solid thump. Rowan pressed down on it, hard enough that the edges seemed pinned by invisible air.
Evelyn frowned.
It felt reckless, even careless.
“Rowan, Evelyn already has a mentor. How about I request another one from the school for you?” Dr. Mayer said, his voice hesitant, caught between duty and discomfort.
Rowan didn’t trust that answer.
He had heard too many excuses before. Waiting for another chance wasn’t an option, not when it might not come again.
“The letter is still here. She hasn’t met Tom yet, so it doesn’t count. Just give it to me,” Rowan said, raising an eyebrow at Taylor.
“Unless you don’t want to help me, Mayer. After all these years, you wouldn’t favor an outsider over me, would you?”
Taylor froze, trapped between obligation and unease.
He glanced at Evelyn, trying to speak but stopped short.
Evelyn understood the situation immediately. Rowan wouldn’t give up until he had his own protégé.
Rowan might try to trip Tom and Taylor up down the line.
Fitting into a new environment meant one thing: don’t make trouble.
From Rowan’s words, she could tell he only wanted an apprentice to pass on decades of experience before retiring.
A mentor like that wasn’t bad at all.
Evelyn paused, then stepped forward. She met Rowan’s gaze directly. “Dr. Cook.”
She turned to Taylor, her voice earnest “Dr. Mayer, I want to learn from Dr. Cook. He’s spent decades practicing medicine. His experience is invaluable. I want to learn as much as I can
from him.”
“Evelyn, it’s not like that. Listen-“Taylor started, trying to stop her.
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It was already too late.
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Hearing her call him Dr. Cook, Rowan’s chest lifted with satisfaction. He patted her shoulder firmly. “You’re a good apprentice.
“Be sure to come by my office tomorrow morning. I’m heading back to rounds now. Don’t be late, got
it?” Rowan said, already turning away, humming a light tune as he left Taylor’s office.
Evelyn watched him go, then faced Taylor.
His expression was heavy and tight with concern.
“Dr. Mayer, what’s wrong?” she asked, curious but calm.
“Is there something wrong with learning from Dr. Cook? Is he not skilled?”
Taylor exhaled slowly. “His skills are excellent. He’s one of the best surgeons in our operating room.”
Then why the grim face?
Before she could ask, Taylor continued, “Evelyn, do you know why Dr. Cook hasn’t taken an intern in ten years?”
“If you tell me, maybe I’ll figure it out myself,” Evelyn said, leaning forward attentively.
Dr. Mayer started explaining the whole situation to her.
Ten years ago, Rowan, like every doctor, used to take interns.
He was playful and easygoing most of the time. Around patients, however, he transformed. He was incredibly strict with interns. He would rebuke them and make them rewrite case reports. In fact, so frequent were the rewrites, it became part of the interns‘ lives.
Interns who survived his program finished their term but left immediately.
They refused to stay at Brookhaven Hospital, all because they wanted to avoid him.
Brookhaven Hospital already lacked talent. Rowan’s reputation made the problem worse.
The staff and administration, after coming to a unanimous decision, blocked his requests for
interns.
Ten years passed.
Now Rowan had just over a year until retirement. Everyone thought they could relax, only
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for Rowan to strike back unexpectedly.
Evelyn had walked straight into the storm.
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“Your mentor told me to look after you. If he finds out you’re now Dr. Cook’s apprentice, I’m, as the kids would say, cooked,” Taylor said.
That explained everything.
Evelyn felt a quiet relief. She also sparked Taylor curiosity.
“I’m not worried if he’s strict. As long as his skills are excellent and his experience is worth learning from, I’m fine. Being strict helps prevent mistakes. That’s good.”
Taylor looked touched. He patted her shoulder firmly. “You really mean that? Evelyn, your dedication is impressive.”
Evelyn smiled, pride and emotion mixing in her chest.
She had already called Rowan her mentor without fully understanding the situation. Regret would change nothing. Rowan would be disappointed if she took back her word, and Taylor would be left cleaning up her mess.
A strict mentor wasn’t a problem.
She had endured far harsher challenges before. This was nothing.
What mattered was that she chose Rowan as her mentor. She would face it with a smile.
After learning more about Rowan from Taylor, Evelyn toured the hospital with him, taking in the rhythm and sights of her new workplace.
Most patients on the second floor were injured soldiers who came from nearby military units. A few locals with minor ailments were also admitted. The hospital accepted anyone who needed care.
Brookhaven Hospital was remote. Outside this hospital, the nearest facility with comparable treatment required a long drive into the city.
Any delay could make a patient’s condition worse.
Taylor reminded Evelyn that medicine, supplies were limited and the equipment was basic. In urgent cases, patients would have to be sent to the city immediately.
Evelyn nodded and took careful notes.
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After touring the hospital, they had seen the entire facility. Taylor had other duties and could not guide her further.
An intern passed by at that moment.
Taylor motioned for her to show Evelyn around.
“This is Harriet Davis. She was assigned from a university in Kingstead. This is Evelyn Schmidt, our top student from Southville University. Make sure you get to know each other, and then show Evelyn around so she can meet the team. Got it?”
Harriet nodded flatly.
She sized Evelyn up, her eyelids half–closed, lips curving in a faint sneer. She exhaled sharply through her nose. “Looks like Southville’s top students have poor taste. Those straight–leg pants are two years old. Wearing them now is so outdated.”
The first encounter felt tense.
Evelyn’s mood tightened. Harriet’s words cut sharply.
The city girl was haughty, overly sharp, and full of herself.
What a spoiled little princess.
Evelyn would rather have nothing to do with people like Harriet, but she wouldn’t start a fight on her first day.
She smiled faintly and held her gaze calmly.
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Reborn for Love and Revenge
