A Man with Nerves of Steel (Joseph Hart) novel Chapter 277

Chapter 277

Belinda naturally assured Joseph that she would never betray him. Only after Joseph repeatedly confirmed that Barry would be alive for much longer did he have Paula drive him away.

Less than ten minutes later, Paula returned home alone. Belinda asked, “Where is he?”

Paula shrugged. “He got out on the way back and wouldn’t let me drive him any farther. Obviously, he doesn’t want me to know where he’s staying. I guess he has his own secrets, too. If there’s nothing else, I’m going home: Will you be okay alone?”

Belinda replied, “I’ll be fine. Joseph said that Barry won’t wake up until 9:00 am tomorrow. But I didn’t actually see Joseph doing anything. Do you think he’s stringing me along?”

Paula raised an eyebrow. “What did you expect him to do?”

Belinda said, “Maybe poison Barry or do something else like that.”

Paula shook her head. “I think you’re being foolish. Just think about it. Joseph doesn’t trust us that much yet. There’s no way he’d let you watch him commit murder. That would just hand you evidence against him. He’s not that stupid.”

Belinda nodded. “You’re right.”

Their partnership had been forged over the destruction of Cora’s headquarters, but that didn’t mean they completely trusted each other. She just couldn’t understand what the simple procedure Joseph did achieved.

When she asked, Joseph started throwing around technical terms that completely flew over her head.

Afterward, Joseph went to Lacey’s apartment again, and they did the deed once more.

When it was over, they barely exchanged a word. For Joseph, it was nothing more than a way to relieve his stress.

Ever since he worked with Belinda to burn down Cora’s headquarters, he had been carrying around an inexplicable sense of guilt. He discovered there were two ways to quiet that feeling-by healing patients during the day and by satisfying his physical desires at night.

As for alcohol, he avoided it completely. He needed his mind to stay clear, since he couldn’t afford mistakes while treating patients. He couldn’t let his guard down against any possible betrayal from Belinda, either. There was also his inevitable showdown against Cora.

Before this, Joseph would have turned to Grace. They already shared an intimate history, after all. Grace needed him and was also one of his closest allies, and their physical relationship only reinforced the trust between them.

Women might betray a man for countless reasons, but they were generally less likely to turn on a lover.

However, Lacey was a woman Cora had deliberately set up to frame Joseph. Lacey had told him that he was her first; aside from that, Joseph was confident that she wouldn’t betray him as long as he kept giving her money.

Of course, that only held true if Cora didn’t find out. Otherwise, Lacey wouldn’t hesitate to switch sides.

So, Joseph didn’t develop any emotional ties to Lacey. It was purely physical.

When Joseph arrived at the hospital the next day, Jenna was nowhere to be seen. However, his peace didn’t last long as Mason came looking for him.

Mason’s questioning immediately soured Joseph’s mood.

1/2

“Dr. Hart, do you know what’s being said about you and Jenna?”

+15 Bonus

Joseph immediately sensed where this was heading. “What is it? You don’t have to beat around the bush. Just tell me.”

Mason nodded. “Jenna claims that you did something to her and caused her to have dysentery. Since yesterday afternoon, she hasn’t been able to hold anything she eats in.”

Joseph scoffed. “She’s even blaming me for her getting sick? Why doesn’t she take responsibility for what she eats? Isn’t she supposed to be a doctor?”

Joseph shook his head. “These people from the Zahn family are so troublesome. They seem intent on pinning every problem they encounter on me. Let me make it clear right now. I’ll never treat any patient from the Zahn family again.”

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