Chapter 276
This was the back room—out of view from the security cameras—so Rachel could say whatever she wanted without consequence. Just then, Mr. Burton, having finished with a patient, walked over to join them. He overheard Rachel’s words and replied coolly, “Oh, so you grabbed the wrong medication, and somehow that’s my fault?”
Stella cut in, her tone sharp. “If you weren’t sure about the medicine, or if you thought something was off, why didn’t you just ask? Did any of us sew your lips shut?” A cold smile flickered in Stella’s eyes.
Rachel lowered her head, tears shimmering. “It was my carelessness. I’m sorry.”
“Ms. Pearce, have you ever considered what your carelessness might mean—not just for the patient, but for the entire clinic?” Stella’s voice was like a scalpel, her gaze unflinching. “That’s someone’s life at stake. If that patient had taken the wrong medicine and something happened, Mr. Burton would be the one held responsible!”
By the end, Stella’s voice rose, her eyes flashing with real anger. She could tolerate Rachel playing the victim, peddling her sob stories in front of Haynes, trying to win sympathy. But she absolutely refused to let Rachel’s jealousy risk someone’s life just to get ahead.
Rachel instinctively looked to Haynes, whose dark eyes watched her intently, making her heart pound with sudden panic.
“I swear I didn’t mean to—” Rachel stammered, then abruptly dropped to her knees, bowing her head until it struck the floor with a thud. “Ms. Cameron, I know—no matter the reason, a mistake is a mistake. I’m willing to apologize and accept whatever punishment you see fit, until you can forgive me.”
She bowed so hard that after just a few moments, blood beaded on her forehead.
Haynes’s eyes widened. He strode forward and grabbed her arm to stop her. “Rachel, what are you doing? Get up!”
Rachel’s tears fell fast and heavy. “Haynie, you went through so much trouble for my sake, and after everything you did, I still managed to make Ms. Cameron angry. If Ms. Cameron wants to press charges and send me to jail, I’ll accept it. I just hope she won’t blame you for any of this…”
Haynes, of course, understood her implication. His expression darkened, his voice low and steady. “She can’t just send you to jail on a whim, Rachel. And she can’t withhold the medicine just because she wants to.”
At that moment, not only Stella but even Mr. Burton was stunned by Rachel’s dramatic performance. Good grief, he thought, she could out-act my daughter-in-law—and she’s a Hollywood star.
Haynes turned to Stella, catching the glint of steel in her eyes. He spoke up. “If you saw Rachel make a mistake, you could have just pointed it out. Was it really necessary to go so hard on her?”
Stella smiled coolly. “Why? Because I can’t stand her, that’s why.”
Haynes’s gaze was icy. “Stella, I brought Rachel here to help—not for you to give her a hard time.”
Stella ignored him entirely, handing the porcelain bottle to Mr. Burton. “Mr. Burton, you’d better hang on to this.”
He took it, shooting Rachel a glance. “Your conscience must be long gone,” he muttered. He still had medicine to prepare for his patients and didn’t have time to waste on Rachel’s theatrics, so he turned and left.
Stella looked away as well. Since Rachel was willing to go to such lengths—kneeling, apologizing, even splitting her forehead open—Stella figured she’d paid her price. There was no point dragging this out any longer. Besides, the divorce was just around the corner.
She turned to leave, but suddenly, a strong hand clamped around her wrist.
“Stella,” Haynes said, his voice low and forceful, “if you really don’t want a divorce, stop all these petty tricks and just admit your mistakes like an adult.”