Chapter 323
“Today good? I can swing by atwo.”
“See you then.”
Matthew’s car pulled up at 2:30 sharp. Stepping out at the Medical Center, Irene spotted Jennifer with her friends near the entrance. The younger doctor’s face darkened when she saw Irene, her expression souring like she’d bitten into something rotten.
Irene just nodded and kept walking. Let her glare all she wants. This n’t about drama–it’s about medicine. Today wasn’t about office politics or jealousy; it was about proving who was the better doctor. And frene hadn’t spent years becoming the best just to lose to daddy’s little girl.
The research floor was packed. Staff from every department squeezed in, whispering like they were at a reality TV finale. Two glass- walled labs sat side by side–like fish tanks where everyone could watch the action.
Director Williams clapped his hands. “Quite the situation we have,” he announced, clearly enjoying the drama. “Two great doctors, one leadership spot.”
He pointed to the labs. “Same case, same tools. Figure out what’s wrong with the patient and how to fix it. Best solution wins the
team.”
Jennifer stood across the room, practically glowing with confidence. Daddy’s girl thinks she’s already won, Irene thought, meeting her stare without blinking.
“Begin when ready,” Williams called.
The lab felt like coming home. Irene ran her fingers over the tools–brain scanners, testing equipment, everything she needed. Through the glass, Jennifer was already digging through files, working fast. But every half minute, her eyes jumped to the observation area–straight to Matthew.
Big mistake, Irene thought, turning her full attention to the patient’s file.
Severe nerve damage after an accident. Tricky, but nothing she hadn’t seen before. Irene’s mind clicked into a gear she hadn’t used in months. She pulled up similar cases, matched symptoms, checked the newest research. Her fingers flew across the keyboard like she’d never left.
The crowd outside grew. Matthew’s voice carried through the glass as he chatted with some researchers.
“You should’ve seen her work overseas,” he was saying. “Changed how we treat nerve problems completely. Been ahead of everyone for years.”
Jennifer’s head whipped up at that, looking ready to spit fire before forcing herself back to work.
Irene bit back a smile. Keep watching Matthew instead of your patient, honey. See how that works out.
The minutes ticked by. Irene built her diagnosis step by step, then created a treatment plan that mixed tried–and–true methods with new ideas she’d developed overseas. She double–checked everything, hit send, and sat back.
“Dr. Sterling has finished,” Williams announced, surprise in his voice as he checked the time. “Twenty minutes early.”
The crowd murmured. Jennifer started working faster, panic creeping into her movements.
The judges huddled over Irene’s work, heads nodding, fingers pointing to different parts. One older doctor actually whistled.
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Chapter 323
Williams cleared his throat. The committee all agrees. Dr. Sterling work shows better accuracy and introduces a breakthrough treatment approach that could really help patients recover better.”
He turned to Irene. “The research team is yours.”
Jennifer froze, her face going white. Without a word, she stormed out, pushing through the crowd like they were in her way on
purpose.
Suddenly Irene was surrounded by the same people who’d given her the cold shoulder days earlier, all smiles and questions and “we should work together” offers.
Later, alone in the quiet hallway, Irene let herself really feel it–that rush of being in her element again. Not just Adam’s doctor or the triplets‘ mom or Joseph’s granddaughter, but Dr. Sterling. The thill of solving medical puzzles, pushing boundaries, knowing her work made a difference.
She’d found a piece of herself she’d almost forgotten. And damn, it felt good to have it back.
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