Chapter 78 Her Arrogance
Rowan’s temper flared violently.
Evelyn stepped forward to calm him without thinking.
+8 Pearls
The elderly man in the next bed tugged gently at her sleeve, smiling. “Don’t worry, Dr. Schmidt. They are always like this. We used to think they’d get into a fight, so everyone talked them down, but nothing really happened in the end.”
“Exactly,” his wife added. “It’s just entertaining to watch them bicker.”
Evelyn’s lips twitched. “So my mentor and Dr. Hayward are basically frenemies?”
The old man nodded. “Pretty much. You wouldn’t believe it, but the hospital gets boring sometimes. Watching them argue is a kind of amusement.”
Evelyn couldn’t really understand the fun in that.
But seeing Rowan and Tom bicker felt strangely like watching an old married couple argue.
Rowan was fiery, ready to explode at any moment.
Tom, as Taylor had said, was gentle and composed. He always spoke in quiet, deliberate
tones.
Their contrast was striking.
“I’m not in the mood to argue today. I’m busy showing my apprentice around. Let’s go, Evelyn,” Rowan said, gesturing for her to follow.
Right before they left the ward, Tom spoke.
“Rowan, Evelyn came from my team. Can’t I take a quick look at her first?”
“Look?” Rowan scoffed. “She wasn’t officially assigned to you then. Anyone could have been her mentor. Besides, Evelyn chose me, didn’t you, Evelyn?”
The choice was now in Evelyn’s hands.
Evelyn’s head spun.
She had faced tough situations before, but never one where she was caught in a mentor tug- of–war.
After a pause,
she forced a small smile. “Dr. Hayward, I think the main goal here is to learn
1/4
Chapter 78 Her Arrogance
and help patients. Everything else is secondary, don’t you agree?”
+8 Pearls
Tom’s expression softened, clearly impressed. “Evelyn, you’re very perceptive, just like Dr. Mayer said you are.”
Rowan’s pride swelled. “Hey, Twix, you’re asking about my apprentice? Trying to poach her? Forget it. Evelyn has recognized me as her mentor. That can’t change. As for you, you have Harriet. She’s not as sharp as Evelyn, but she’ll do under your guidance.”
He looked at Evelyn with satisfaction, clearly proud with his choice.
“I wasn’t trying to steal anyone. I was just on rounds. You’re the one hiding her like a treasure because you’re nervous,” Tom said innocently.
“You’re not trying to steal her? Then let’s go, Evelyn. Say goodbye to him. We have rounds to finish!” Rowan said, pulling her along.
Tom shook his head and muttered softly, “Rowan better guide this one well. She’s a rare talent.”
Then he too left the scene.
Unnoticed by anyone, a figure stormed out of the room.
Anger radiated off her in waves.
It was Harriet.
If Myrtle hadn’t urged her to join Tom on rounds, she would have missed the entire scene.
Rowan was fiercely protective of Evelyn, treating her like a priceless treasure.
And Tom?
Rowan practically shoved his anger onto him, and he did not react. That coward.
I don’t care if he gets insulted, but I got dragged into it as well!
Tom’s praise for Evelyn only stoked her fury.
A plain, old–fashioned wench like her can’t have any talent, let alone good talent. These people are a bunch of losers! They can’t even tell who’s the better girl here!
Very well, Evelyn. You’ve made an enemy out of me!
Tom left the ward and searched the hallways for Harriet, but she was nowhere to be found.
2/4
Chapter 78 Her Arrogance
+8 Pearls
He turned to Myrtle, who looked just as confused. “I told her to find you. Didn’t she go?”
Tom shook his head, sighing. “That girl is always careless. Fine, Myrtle, handle your tasks. I’ll talk to her when she gets back.”
Myrtle’s frustration bubbled over.
“Dr. Hayward, you’re always so patient with her. She really thinks she’s all that. Without your protection, she’ll keep messing up. Small mistakes are one thing, but what if she delays treatment for a patient?”
Before she could react further, a sharp slap cut through the air.
Myrtle’s head jerked sideways from the force.
Before she could recover, Harriet launched into a furious tirade.
“You’ve got a lot of time on your hands, huh, Myrtle? You’re just a nurse, why are you sticking your nose in everything? You think you’re so great? Then why aren’t you hospital director already? What I do is none of your business! Not even my mentor said anything about that, so what makes you think you have the right to? You do not have the right to dislike me!”
“Harriet!” Tom shouted, rushing forward to intercept Harriet. “This is a hospital. You cannot just hit someone. Apologize to Myrtle now.”
Harriet spat defiantly. “She attacked me first. It’s because I’m from Kingstead, a stranger. She’s trying to push me out.”
Myrtle froze, tears welling up in her eyes.
Without nearby colleagues to intervene, the situation could have escalated further.
Harriet was forcibly escorted to Tom’s office. Myrtle’s cheek swelled from the slap, making it impossible for her to work. She had to take a sick day, with someone escorting her to the dorm and delivering some lotion for her swelling.
By noon, Tom left his office and headed to the second–floor storage room.
He intended to knock, but Rowan had left the door wide open, much unlike his usual self.
Inside, Rowan sat with Evelyn, discussing something with a serious, focused expression.
“Twix, what are you doing here?” Rowan’s voice was sharp, sudden, and tense,
Tom ignored the tone and waved at Evelyn. “I need your help, Evelyn. Can you do me a favor?”
3/4
Chapter 78 Her Arrogance
+8 Pearls
Before Evelyn could respond, Rowan cut in firmly. “I’ve made it clear at the morning meeting. My apprentice does not run errands for anyone. Absolutely not. Leave now, or I’ll kick you out myself.”
He muttered impatiently, leaning forward slightly. “What could possibly make you stoop to asking me for help?”
48
Reborn for Love and Revenge
