Chapter 24
Scarlett's eyes landed back on Leroy, a hint of accusation in her gaze.
“Leroy, I thought I made myself clear,” she said, her tone sharp. “Or is there something you’re still not satisfied with?”
She felt a wave of frustration. They were divorced. So why did seeing Leroy always leave her so unsettled?
Leroy stared at her, disbelief etched across his face. The words he’d planned to defend himself with vanished completely. Looking at Scarlett now, all he could do was laugh bitterly. The worry he’d felt moments ago evaporated with her cutting words.
“Scarlett, don’t think being the CEO of the Payne Group gives you the right to act however you want,” he said coldly. “Yes, we’re divorced, but you’re the one showing up at this hospital again and again.”
He let out a mirthless laugh. “Do you think I want to run into you?”
His voice carried no warmth, and his expression was cold.
Scarlett froze, clearly not expecting such a response. “You’ve got to be kidding me, Leroy,” she said, her temper flaring. “I run the Payne Group. Do you think I’d stoop so low? How many times do I need to remind you—we’re divorced!”
Her irritation matched his, both their tempers feeding off each other.
Leroy smirked coldly and said, “Good. Let’s keep it that way.”
“Anyway, Ms. Payne,” he continued, his tone mocking, “I have patients to see. And judging by the way you’re standing here, it doesn’t look like you have any real issues. Do me a favor—don’t show up in front of me again.”
He locked eyes with her, his voice firm. “Let’s stay out of each other’s way, now on,” he snapped.
But then he turned to Leroy, his expression hardening in an instant. “Dr. Olson, I hope you mean what you say. Stay away from Scarlett from now on.”
“And don’t even think about using your past with her to try and weasel anything out of her now that the Payne Group is on the rise.”
His words struck a nerve. Scarlett’s expression shifted, doubt flickering across her face, followed by a trace of annoyance.
Leroy chuckled dryly, his smile laced with sarcasm. “Cedric, not everyone is as shallow as you.” With that, he turned and walked away without another word. Cedric opened his mouth to say more, but Scarlett raised a hand to stop him. “Enough, Cedric,” she said quietly, her voice carrying exhaustion.
“I’m tired. Let’s just go home.”
Her eyes closed briefly, the cool hospital air leaving her feeling uncomfortable.
Back in his office, Leroy sat alone at his desk, his face unreadable. Zoe lingered nearby, hesitant to speak.
“Don’t take it to heart, Leroy,” she finally said, trying to cheer him up. “That guy said all that just to get under your skin. I know you’d never be the kind of person he’s trying to make you out to be!”
She poured him a cup of hot water and set it in front of him with a smile.
Leroy glanced up at her. “I’m not upset,” he said evenly. “Let’s just pretend none of that happened today. Are there any surgeries lined up?”
At the mention of surgeries, Zoe’s face shifted. She shook her head quickly. “Leroy, you’re unbelievable. Every time something bothers you, you bury yourself in surgeries. Do you think hospitals have endless surgeries just waiting for you?”
Her teasing brought a faint smile to Leroy’s lips.
“Seriously, you should take a break,” she continued. “If Mr. Moore finds out, I’ll never hear the end of it!”
Her laughter finally got Leroy to nod in agreement.
Meanwhile, back at the Payne Group, Cedric was still fuming.
“Leroy is unbelievable,” he muttered. “You gave him so much money during the divorce, and he’s still not satisfied. I bet he’s upset about losing that villa!” Scarlett frowned, her irritation growing with Cedric’s rant.
“Scarlett, don’t let him fool you,” Cedric added quickly. “I’m telling you, he’s not over you.”
Before he could continue, Scarlett raised her hand, cutting him off.
Cedric hesitated, pausing slightly, but eventually turned and left.
“Enough, Cedric. I don’t want to hear any more about this,” she said firmly. “Just head home. Ask Grace to come by—I have a meeting to get to.”