Chapter 42

“No matter what you say, you’re fixing my bum today!” Cedile demanded, his voice dripping with entitlement.

Zoe rolled her eyes, incredulous. “How can someone be this shameless?” she muttered under her breath before stepping forward.

“Listen. Dr. Olson isn’t even part of the burn unit. He has zero obligation to help you,” she snapped, her frustration bubbling over.

Cedile smirked, clearly enjoying himself. “Zoe, you seem awfully defensive. Could it be you have a little crush on Dr. Olson?” he teased. “Just a heads-up—he already has someone he’s seeing. Don’t let him string you along.”

The smug look on his face was almost unbearable. Zoe’s jaw tightened as she shot him a glare.

“Thanks for the unsolicited advice, Cedric, but I don’t need you to tell me anything about Dr. Olson,” she said flatly.

She then turned to Leroy. “Let’s go, Dr. Olson. No point wasting time here.”

Leroy nodded, his expression unreadable, but his patience was clearly wearing thin.

“Dr. Olson, you really didn’t need to come in for this,” Zoe said as they walked down the hallway. “Burn care cases have nothing to do with our department.” Leroy sighed, shaking his head. “I didn’t expect him to be this persistent,” he admitted.

Leroy had underestimated Cedric once again.

Arthur’s procedure was a minor one, with no significant complications. The surgery went smoothly from start to finish.

As Leroy stepped out of the operating room, he immediately noticed Cedric sitting in the hallway, waiting.

“Dr. Olson, finally! I thought the hospital had forgotten about patients like me,” Cedric said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Leroy’s expression hardened. “Cedric,” he said coolly, “I’ve told you already—this is a hospital, not the Payne Group. You don’t get to throw your weight around.”

But Cedric didn’t back down.

“Oh, I know this is a hospital,” he said, his voice oozing mockery. “And I’m a patient. Are you really going to ignore someone in need?”

Before Leroy could respond, a voice cut through the tension.

“Patient? I don’t see one,” said a man as he approached. “Dr. Olson just wrapped up a surgery, and now he has to put up with someone as annoying as you?” All eyes turned to Samuel, who was holding a small gift box and a thank-you plaque.

Cedric’s confidence evaporated immediately. “Mr. Black,” he stammered, forcing a smile, “what brings you here?”

Samuel didn’t bother hiding his disdain as he addressed Cedric. “I’m here to thank Dr. Olson. Thanks to him, my father’s recovery has been remarkable. Do you think I shouldn’t be here?”

Cedric shifted uncomfortably, his earlier bravado gone.

Zoe arrived just in time to catch the scene, a smile tugging at her lips. “Dad!” she greeted warmly, walking over to stand by Samuel’s side.

“You wouldn’t believe the nonsense Cedric’s been pulling all day. He’s been trying to stop Dr. Olson from doing his job, all because of a blister.”

Her words hung in the air, and the entire hallway seemed to turn its attention to Cedric, who now looked ready to sink into the floor.

Samuel’s gaze narrowed as he looked Cedric over. “So, it’s you who’s been causing trouble for Dr. Olson,” he said coldly.

Cedric scrambled to recover, his voice losing its earlier confidence. “This is all just a misunderstanding. I was injured and needed Dr. Olson’s help,” he said weakly.