Chapter 2 Full Of Grudges

• Edeline’s mood hadn’t fully recovered. Her mind was still haunted by dark, threatening thoughts. She still hadn’t mustered the courage to approach the door, let alone leave her room.
• The morning sun had already chased away every trace of night. Throughout the change from night to day, nothing she’d feared had come to pass. The man from last night hadn’t come after her.
• But did that guarantee Edeline’s safety if she stepped outside?
• She was convinced the man held a grudge against her for what had happened. He knew her identity and where she’d be working.
• What if he came looking for her to settle the score?
• Oh shit! Why did bad luck have to find her?
• Yesterday, all Edeline wanted was to help. She didn’t want her first day at the hospital ruined by last night’s naive mistake. She just hoped for a peaceful life in this new city she’d chosen to chase her dreams.
• “You can’t be afraid, Edeline. You have to be brave,” she whispered, trying to psych herself up.
• She let out a long breath. With determination, she finally stepped out of her room, carrying her doctor’s white coat—her snelli—and a bag packed with everything she’d need for the day.
• Still, doubt lingered in her heart. Even though she looked neat and ready, Edeline’s courage faltered as she approached the room where that man was staying.
• What if he was waiting for her? What if he ambushed her like last night?
• Click! Edeline jumped at the sound of a door opening. The very man who’d been dominating her thoughts stepped out. She wanted to retreat, but something inside pushed her to face him.
• Running from your problems is cowardly! Edeline’s mind screamed at her. Besides, she had someone important to meet, so she forced herself to keep walking.
• Unfortunately, her smooth escape was blocked as she passed by the man.
• “Ow!” Edeline yelped as she fell, having been bumped by his arm. “You did that on purpose!” she snapped.
• “Watch where you’re going! You walk like you’re blind,” he replied coolly, as Edeline sat on the floor, scowling.
• “You did that on purpose! Apologize!” Edeline glared, catching a glimpse of the scratch on his face.
• “You’re the one at fault! Use your eyes! When you walk, look straight ahead, not at the floor!” he shot back, refusing to take the blame.
• No matter how you looked at it, it was obvious the man bore a grudge against Edeline. He’d walked out just as she was passing, yet somehow she was the one being blamed.
• Edeline huffed in frustration and turned away to pick up her snelli and bag, which had fallen when she did.
• “Have you trimmed your nails? You’re a doctor, aren’t you?” he asked as Edeline stood up.
• “That’s none of your business!” she snapped back.
• “A doctor’s job is to save patients, not hurt them.”
• “I don’t need your advice! I know what’s best for me—”
• “Your long nails could injure a patient. Just like last night, your nails scratched my face.”
• Edeline fell silent at his sarcastic remark, her eyes instinctively drawn to the wound on his face.
• “Have a nice day, Dr. Edeline.” He smirked, full of mockery, and walked away, leaving Edeline standing there, stunned.
• She stared after him, feeling a pang of guilt. But… no! It wasn’t her fault. Last night, she’d only been defending herself—she never meant to scratch his face. Edeline just hoped she wouldn’t run into that vengeful, infuriating man again.
• Suddenly, her phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the caller ID and hurriedly dragged her suitcase to the elevator to meet the person she’d arranged to see last night.
• On her way to the lobby, after checking out, Edeline rushed to the drop-off area, where someone was waiting.
• “What took you so long, Edeline?” asked a middle-aged man, his face showing impatience at her delay.
• “I’m sorry, Mr. Abraham,” Edeline replied, slightly out of breath.
• Despite her flustered state, Edeline’s voice was gentle and respectful toward this important figure who had played such a big role in her life these past years. This was Abraham Romanov—a wealthy philanthropist who ran a scholarship foundation. Thanks to him, Edeline, who had struggled with hardship, was able to earn her medical degree.
• Her intelligence and determination had convinced Abraham to award her the scholarship. Thanks to his support, Edeline was about to begin her internship at a prestigious hospital in Manchester—a hospital that had once partnered with one Abraham had managed.
• Before heading to the hospital, Abraham took Edeline to the house where she’d be staying. He had only arrived in Manchester late the previous night, which was why Edeline had only been put up at the hotel for one night. This morning, he met her to show her the house. After a quick look around and dropping off her suitcase, they continued on to the hospital.
• “Thank you for going to the trouble of arranging a place for me, Mr. Abraham,” Edeline said as she buckled her seatbelt, sitting beside him after putting her suitcase in her new home.
• “It’s no trouble at all. I want you to feel comfortable in this city. Later, the driver will bring you home after work.”
• “Thank you again, Mr. Abraham.” Edeline nodded obediently.
• “All right, now let’s head to Omega Hospital. The senior staff are expecting us,” Abraham said, inviting her along.
• Tense, nervous, and anxious—that’s how Edeline felt on the drive to the hospital. She barely listened to Abraham’s small talk. Even when he asked about her hotel room, she answered only briefly.
• Would she be able to adapt to this new place? Would the staff be as friendly as those she’d met before?
• Questions like these spun in her mind. Her heart felt like it might stop from nerves.
• “Edeline! We’re here,” Abraham said.
• Edeline turned, startled. “O-oh, yes, Mr. Abraham.”
• “Don’t be nervous! Everyone here is very kind. You’ll love working with them.”
• Edeline just gave a sweet smile in response. She didn’t say much, simply following wherever Abraham led.
• But her eyes told a different story. As they made their way upstairs, Edeline couldn’t help but admire the hospital’s advanced facilities. No wonder treatment at Omega Hospital was so expensive—everything here was top-of-the-line.
• “Welcome, Mr. Abraham,” greeted an older man, whom Edeline assumed was a hospital executive.
• “Hello, Mr. Peter Dalton. Sorry to keep you waiting,” Abraham replied warmly.
• “I don’t feel like I was waiting at all. Please, let’s sit in my office.”
• As before, Edeline followed Abraham’s lead. Even when they sat, she stayed close by his side.
• “So, this is Dr. Edeline, who will be interning at our hospital?” Peter began.
• “Yes! This is Dr. Edeline, one of the brightest and most accomplished young doctors I’ve sponsored,” Abraham said proudly. “Don’t let her age fool you—her dedication and determination when helping patients is unmatched. Our hospital was sad to lose her when I sent her here,” he added.
• “We’re delighted to have her. During her internship, Dr. Edeline will be mentored by our best physician,” Peter replied.
• “That must be Dr. Elvis,” Abraham commented, a faint smile on his lips.
• Dr. Elvis? What kind of person was he? Edeline wondered about the doctor who would be her supervisor. Her curiosity grew.
• “He must be an amazing doctor. I can’t wait to meet him,” Edeline finally spoke up after listening quietly.
• “Dr. Elvis used to head the cardiac surgery and transplant center at my son’s hospital. He’s the best, and highly respected,” Abraham explained.
• “Dr. Elvis is also the managing director here. He’s my son,” Peter added.
• Edeline smiled, but inside, her nerves were jangling after learning about her supervisor’s background.
• He was no ordinary doctor. Edeline could only hope she’d be able to handle herself well.
• Just as Edeline was about to speak, the door swung open without so much as a knock, as if the person was used to it.
• “Sorry I’m late. I had to do rounds before coming here.” Elvis’s deep voice filled the room.
• “We completely understand,” Abraham replied calmly. “And… oh, Edeline, come greet your supervisor. This is Dr. Elvis, the one we were just talking about.”
• Edeline stared, frozen in shock. Her mind was in turmoil, unable to think straight.
• Her breath caught. Her hands grew clammy. Her knees felt weak. The man standing there was the same one who had ruined her morning. The arrogant, infuriating, and threatening man—Elvis.
• “Elvis, what happened to your face?” Peter asked, noticing the small plaster on the side of Elvis Dalton’s face.
• “A cat scratched me yesterday,” Elvis replied, his eyes shooting a pointed look at Edeline, making her even more tense.
• “Be careful not to get hurt,” Peter responded innocently.
• Elvis ignored his father’s words. The sharp-tongued, handsome man was busy staring down Edeline, who was still covering her mouth in shock. “So, this is the intern? The young doctor under my supervision?”
• Speak up, Edeline! Don’t let him see you’re scared, she screamed at herself internally.
• “Hello, Dr. Elvis. I’m Edeline, the intern—”
• “Who has no manners and a disrespectful attitude!” Elvis cut her off harshly, just as she was about to introduce herself. “You don’t even have the courtesy to greet your supervisor, let alone someone older than you. What about patients? Are you just going to stand there and say nothing?”
• Edeline’s chest ached at his biting words. He was still holding a grudge. His hostile glare made it clear—Elvis had it in for her.
• “This hospital doesn’t need interns who don’t know proper etiquette, Dr. Edeline,” Elvis said, his tone dripping with scorn.