Chapter 3 Two Sides Of Stubbornness

• Edeline froze at Elvis’s words. His sharp insults cut deep. Oh, God! She never imagined she'd face such a personal trial.
• “I-I’m sorry, Dr. Elvis.”
• The confusion that had gripped her vanished with her apology. The beautiful girl willingly conceded, bowing slightly to show the sincerity of her regret.
• Edeline was utterly defeated. She had no choice but to apologize. She still loved her career. Her dream of becoming a doctor couldn’t be shattered by her foolishness. So this time, she swallowed her pride and said sorry. Whether her patience would last against Elvis’s temper was another matter.
• “Don’t be too harsh with Dr. Edeline, Elvis. She might not last if you keep this up,” Peter said awkwardly, trying to calm his son. The middle-aged man gave a gentle warning.
• “No problem. Consider it a mental test to make Edeline stronger,” Abraham chimed in, trying to lighten the mood.
• Meanwhile, Elvis kept shooting sharp looks at Edeline, who had lifted her gaze. His hostile glare seemed like a silent threat—to intimidate her into not acting recklessly around him.
• Edeline understood the unfriendly signal. She swallowed hard in silence and stole quick glances away from Elvis’s intimidating stare.
• Luckily, Abraham saved her by excusing himself after finishing his business. The elderly tycoon felt today was a day of relentless bad luck.
• “Thank you for escorting and helping me, Mr. Abraham,” Edeline said as they parted outside the room.
• Abraham smiled warmly. “Do your best and don’t make mistakes. This afternoon, my assistant will pick you up and take you to the house you’ll be living in. I’ve already arranged for your things at the hotel to be packed and brought over.”
• “Thank you again, Mr. Abraham. You’ve helped me so much.”
• Edeline’s gratitude was heartfelt, but she couldn’t hide the unease in her expression, despite her forced sweet smile.
• How could she? Elvis was still nearby, intimidating her. It was certain Edeline would face torment from him. Fate seemed to despise her.
• “Mr. Abraham’s gone. Are you just going to stand there?” Elvis snapped sharply as Edeline watched Abraham and Peter leave.
• Edeline turned coldly. Her eyes showed her patience was wearing thin facing Elvis. “Haven’t I already apologized? Why do you still act so harshly as if I’ve done something unforgivable to you?”
• Oh my god! Edeline was truly brave. She’d held back, but her chest burned. She couldn’t hold it in anymore.
• “Looks like your apology wasn’t sincere if you talk back disrespectfully to your senior doctor at this hospital. You’re so clueless!” Elvis sneered.
• “That’s not it. I just—”
• “Save your excuses. I don’t want to hear them. You’d better follow me! Otherwise, prepare yourself for duty in the morgue.”
• Edeline’s eyes widened and mouth dropped open, staring at Elvis as he turned away. She was shocked by the arrogant, infuriating man’s words.
• She was truly threatened if she didn’t obey. Her career could be over if she made a mistake with a vindictive man like Elvis. So she reluctantly followed his broad strides, hurrying to keep up.
• Elvis’s office was their destination. It was quite spacious—befitting his status at the hospital. Yet the room looked bare, with few decorations on the walls or desk.
• “You’ll be assigned to the cardiac surgery unit with me. That means you’ll be involved in all my surgeries. Do you have experience in the operating room at your previous hospital?” Elvis asked indifferently while reviewing some patient records.
• “I have sufficient experience in the surgical unit and—”
• “I only need a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ I don’t want your bragging nonsense,” Elvis interrupted sarcastically, his eyes piercing Edeline’s silenced mouth. “I’ve been through the ups and downs of medicine far longer than you, Dr. Edeline.”
• Arrghhh! Edeline’s mind screamed at Elvis’s arrogance. She wanted to fire back with the same biting sarcasm to defend her pride.
• But… she could only keep her expectations inside. Her reason warned her not to cause trouble, since her career depended on this arrogant man.
• “I’ll do my best—”
• “You better.” Elvis cut her off again, giving no chance to speak. “If you make one mistake, I’ll transfer you to the ER. Here’s a tip: the ER is always busy—even breathing is a luxury. You won’t have a moment to spare.”
• Edeline’s radiant aura dimmed under his sharp, offended gaze. From his words and hostile attitude, she could tell Elvis held a personal grudge against her.
• He had power, and he would definitely bully her. No matter how hard she tried, Edeline knew she wouldn’t find peace working under Elvis’s roof.
• “Then just assign me to the ER,” Edeline calmly challenged.
• Elvis remained composed, but his penetrating eyes betrayed his surprise. “You sure?”
• “Why wouldn’t I be? From the start, you never intended to put me in the cardiac surgery unit. I’m sure you want to torture me out of spite.” Edeline didn’t hesitate to voice her strong accusation. God, she really couldn’t stand Elvis’s attitude anymore. Though defeated, she would fight for her dignity.
• Elvis smiled bitterly. “I hold a grudge against you?”
• “Yes!” Edeline answered firmly. “Things would be different if I hadn’t provoked you last night. But you should know, Dr. Elvis… you’re not entirely right.” She grew more confident, locking eyes with Elvis’s annoyed glare.
• “You came into this world because of a woman. If you hurt and treat women badly, it’s like hurting the woman who gave birth to you. Women were made from a man’s rib. Isn’t that the same as hurting your own body?” she continued.
• “You’re even more clueless,” Elvis groaned in frustration.
• “I know myself well, but that doesn’t mean I have to lower my self-respect,” Edeline quickly replied without fear. “Right now, you have more power than me. My career here depends on you. If I let emotions take over, I deserve an apology from you for the intimidation you pulled yesterday. So, Dr. Elvis… we’re even!”
• Elvis scoffed at Edeline’s audacity. He felt his pride deeply insulted. She was the first person to dare raise a flag of defiance against him.
• No one else in the hospital—colleagues or even his parents—had ever dared oppose him. But here was Edeline, an intern thirteen years younger, boldly trading barbs with him.
• “Aren’t you afraid? Or… are you only this bold because Mr. Abraham backs you up?” Elvis mocked with an irritating smile.
• “Even without Mr. Abraham behind me, I’d still be the same. I won’t be afraid to become successful.”
• Elvis laughed loudly, mocking Edeline’s confidence. “Okay! Prove your words by succeeding in the ER. If you can’t handle it, you can come to my office and kneel to apologize. My door is open 24/7 for you, Intern!”
• “Never! I won’t do that!” Edeline swore, clearly offended by Elvis’s insult.