Chapter 88
After work, Chris was still picked up by Jessica, but the car stopped on the street ahead instead of directly at the hospital entrance. Chris felt it was too conspicuous. Elders like Ben inevitably had complaints, but Chris didn’t pay much attention. Actually, thinking it over carefully, the hospital also knew Ben’s intentions. They wouldn’t let someone close to retirement sit in the chairman position. Choosing a younger person was normal. The Summit Infirmary originally had many young doctors; the others were mostly re-hired elder professors. People like Ben were not the majority. No one really had much to say about Chris becoming the chairman.
Once in the car, Jessica was a bit displeased. “How come, now that you’re chairman, you’re avoiding suspicion? You won’t even let me go to the hospital?”
Chris and Jessica sat in the back seat. Once the driver confirmed the route, the partition was raised. “It’s not that. The appointment letter just came today. We have to put on a bit of a show. It’ll settle in a few days. Oh, by the way, there’s a surgery tomorrow. After it’s done, I want to treat the hospital colleagues to dinner. I’m thinking of booking the Cosmos. Do you want to come?”
Jessica propped her chin on her hand, watching him. This was the first time Chris had brought her to meet colleagues and friends; she never had this chance before. She really wanted to go. “I want to, but I can’t. I have a business trip tomorrow. There’s some operation held up in Lonat, and the deputy director of the branch can’t find the source. Shannon and I have to go. It’ll probably be about a week. Since you just took office, if anything comes up, go to Maggie or Indya at the company. They’ll handle it.”
Chris said, “Be careful. I’ll pack your things before you go. It’s just a dinner. If you don’t come, it’s fine.”
Jessica was a bit unhappy. “I want to go with you so everyone knows you’re my man.” She reached out and pinched Chris’s chin, making him look at her. “Don’t think I don’t know, all the little nurses at the hospital like you.”
It was rare to see Jessica jealous, and Chris liked this little playfulness. He grabbed her hand and pulled it down. “Everyone knows I’m married.”
The custom-made ring wasn’t ready yet, and Jessica thought she needed to hurry and remarry, so no one could keep staring at Chris like that. Before the divorce, she hadn’t realized Chris attracted so much attention; it was better to keep him firmly by her side. The Cosmos heard Chris was treating, so they reserved the largest private room and asked about dietary restrictions.
Chapter 89
Since it was the first time Chris was taking the initiative to treat, everything had to be perfect. The next morning, Chris drove Jessica to the airport, then turned to the hospital. After becoming chairman, besides having a title at the board, nothing really changed. He went on rounds on time and waited for surgery.
“Yesterday, the director and professor talked with Dr. Wilson for quite a while,” Jake came over. Today’s surgery, Jake was second assistant and was quite excited to operate alongside Chris. He looked both ways to confirm no one was around, then said, “I heard they parted on bad terms. Dr. Wilson even threatened to resign. The department head persuaded him for a long time.”
Chris washed his hands calmly. “He won’t resign.” Ben was about to retire anyway. Being chairman was partly about the retirement pension. Actually, Ben’s surgical skills were average, so he wouldn’t be rehired. Retiring was basically the end for him. No hospital wanted him after retirement. In other words, Ben didn’t dare resign.
“The elder professor said the same thing. Ben can make all the fuss he wants. By the way, since you’re treating tomorrow, do I get an invite?” Jake smiled and asked.