Returning to Crestview Metropolis somehow made everything feel a bit more genuine.


    It took me about two weeks to shake off the surreal haze and return to my regr life.


    Richard was still in bad shape, confined to the ICU. Max had shown me some pictures, but I hadn''t visited him. Seeing him like that would only deepen the sadness. All I could do was leave it up to fate to decide if he''d pull through.


    Back at Evergreen Health Center, Helen informed me that a few doctors with PhDs were interested in joining our team, but their current hospitals weren''t keen on them working part-time elsewhere. Some of these doctors were from renowned institutions outside the state, and we wanted to recruit them to offer more services to our patients. We''d scheduled their consultations to avoid conflict with their hospital hours.


    "Your old mentor, Allen Ramsey, has been working at a top hospital out of state," Helen mentioned. "He wanted to join us too, but his hospital wouldn''t allow it. Their head, Dr. Pearce, even requested a meeting with you to discuss it. If you two are on the same page, he might let Allene aboard."


    I nodded, acknowledging her report. "Arrange the meeting. I haven''t seen Allen in ages."


    It had been a while since I''d been to Bravend or met up with my mentor.


    "And where''s Kate?" I asked, noticing her absence at the Health Center.


    "Since Kinsey''s return, she''s been struggling psychologically. Kate''s likely with her, offering support."


    In a past life, Kate and Tracey were at each other''s throats. But in this life, things were different-they''d be each other''s support system.


    "Are youing with me tonight?" I asked Helen.


    "Yes. Dr. Pearce is a known figure in the medicalmunity. He''s been critical of you and Evergreen Health Center''s free treatment policy, even on medical forums," she said, her voiceced with disdain and frustration.


    "Howe I never heard about this? Am I living under a rock?" I admitted I wasn''t glued to my phone, but missing such significant news was a bit much.


    Helen chuckled, covering her mouth. "Isn''t that why you have Mr. Hilton? With him around, you''re untouchable."


    I smiled to myself, knowing Max was behind this. His help was bing a debt I might never repay.


    "By the way, if Pearce tries to make you drink tonight, don''t touch a drop," Helen suddenly urged.


    I tilted my head in confusion. "Why? I can handle a little if the situation calls for it."


    But Helen was firm, shaking her head. "No way. Promise me you won''t drink at all, or I''ll go on my own."


    She rarely put her foot down like this, so I nodded in agreement.


    That evening, at the dinner, it became clear that Pearce was quite the drinker. He''d invited us not just for a casual meet-up but to extort amission in exchange for letting Allen work with us part-time. No wonder other hospitals outright refused or yed hard to get; Pearce had set this up as an ambush with other hospital heads joining us.


    They aimed to corner me, upset that Evergreen''s free treatments were cutting into their profits.


    When Helen and I walked in, Allen Ramsey looked exasperated but greeted us warmly.


    Iter learned Allen was Lydia''s son, but he held no grudge against me. He''d left academia for hospital work, hoping for a broader stage, only to find himself under such an unscrupulous leader.


    "Ms. ire has arrived? What an honor," Dr. Pearce greeted me, feigning cordiality. "Everyone in the medical field knows you''re Mr.


    Hilton''s special someone. Dinial no


    with you is practically dining with him."


    The other hospital heads


    begrudgingly stood and chimed in, "Ms. ire, your Evergreen Health Center is only possible thanks to Mr. Hilton''s support, allowing you to y the role of a benefactor in our industry."