Chapter 35 Flattery
Lucky Draw
The next morning, Ginny showed up at the lab looking sharp and ready.
Professor Edward’s California lab had officially opened three days ago, but because of the cheating scandal, he hadn’t invited Ginny to join then. Now that her name was cleared–and she’d retaken the exam with the highest score–she was finally here for her first official day.
“Hi everyone, I’m Ginny Jenkins. It’s nice to be here and work with you all.” She stood inside the lab, introducing herself.
Edward had only selected five students, but in just three days, they had already split into two small factions–one led by Wendy, the other by Mike Stewart.
Wendy was technically Ginny’s classmate back in uni. You’d think they’d be closer, that Wendy might look out for her. But aside from a few polite words, Wendy clearly had no interest in getting involved.
It was Mike, surprisingly, who seemed intrigued by her.
“I admire people like you,” Mike said. “People who crawl back from hell.”
“Crawl back from hell?” Ginny blinked, confused.
1/6
13:56
Chapter 35 Flattery
(Lucky Draw
A guy with glasses stepped in to explain. “It’s slang. We use it for people who get unfairly destroyed online but manage to clear their names and come back stronger.”
“It’s a compliment,” he added quickly, sensing her hesitation. “Means you’ve got guts. Don’t take it the wrong way.”
He extended his hand with a smile. “I’m Shawn Patterson. Mike and I were in the same class. We also work at the same hospital now.”
That explained a lot. Ginny had been wondering how someone as quiet as Shawn ended up in Mike’s camp. Now it made sense.
“Ginny,” Mike said, gesturing toward the project table. “We’re currently juggling two research topics. Take a look. See which one interests you. Once you pick one, you can join that group’s experiment.”
Professor Edward had a prior engagement that morning, so after greeting Ginny, he headed out.
Mike noticed how seriously Ginny was considering the decision and leaned in, laughing softly. “Don’t bother with Wendy’s project. It’s simple stuff. Besides, it’s pretty obvious she doesn’t like you. You should stay with us.”
Mike’s tone was casual, but something about it struck Ginny as
odd.
2/6
13:56
Chapter 35 Flattery
Lucky Draw
Before she could respond, Shawn jumped in, worried she’d misunderstood.
“You weren’t here the last couple of days, but Sheila and Wendy didn’t hold back talking behind your back. Mike just didn’t want to upset you by bringing it up. But seriously, if you’re really interested in their topic, go ahead. After all, this is work.”
Ginny didn’t take offense. Instead, she found herself feeling that Mike might suffer from being too kind.
“I think your project sounds challenging. I like it.”
Mike looked pleased, and he grinned. “Knew you had taste.”
Their team worked well together. The atmosphere was solid, and by the end of the day, they’d made real progress.
Over the next few days, Ginny, Mike, and Shawn each tackled different sections of the experiment. They were so busy it felt like they were spinning in place. Just when they were nearing a breakthrough, Ginny got a call from the department director at her hospital.
“Ginny, didn’t you say everything was sorted out? You can come back to work now.”
The voice on the other end dripped with condescension, and Ginny’s face cooled slightly.
3/6
13:56
Chapter 35 Flattery
“Thank you, Director. I’ll return once I wrap up what I’m working on.”
Lucky Draw
Truthfully, she’d planned to resign anyway. Getting into Professor Edward’s lab had always meant leaving her hospital job behind. But things had been so hectic, she hadn’t gotten around to it yet.
Now, thanks to the director’s call, she remembered.
“I’m not sure what you’re so busy with,” the director pressed. “Don’t forget, you’re still under contract with our hospital. There’s a surgery that needs you. Hurry back.”
Before Ginny could respond, the line went dead.
She didn’t want to cause friction with the hospital–not when she was preparing to go abroad–so she asked Professor Edward for a short leave and called a cab back to the hospital.
When she arrived at the director’s office, she found it empty.
A quick call later, she learned they were upstairs–in the Dean’s office.
Just a few days ago, the Dean had treated her like a plague. He’d practically wanted her out of the hospital overnight.
Now, the moment the Dean and director saw her, it was as if she were made of solid gold. The enthusiasm in their eyes made
4/6
13:56
Chapter 35 Flattery
Ginny feel downright awkward.
Lucky Draw
“Dean Hayes, Director,” she said plainly, “if there’s something you need, just tell me. If it’s within my power, I’ll help. But please… don’t be like this. I really don’t know how to respond.”
The two of them realized they were laying it on too thick. They reeled it back, and the director got to the point.
“Do you remember treating a patient by the name Neil Stewart?”
Neil Stewart was an elderly man in his seventies-
gentle mannered, easy to talk to. Ginny had enjoyed their
conversations.
But he’d been discharged a long time ago. Why bring him up
now?
“He was just readmitted. Conservative treatments no longer work on him, and this time he wants surgery. He specifically asked for you.”
So that’s what this was about.
Still, hospitals had no shortage of patients. Ginny had treated many of them–why had none of them sparked this kind of over–the–top enthusiasm?
Unless… Neil came from a very influential family.
5/6
