Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 177

Watching Ivy, Ethan felt an undeniable rush of happiness just being near her.

Even if they remained nothing more than friends, having her in his line of sight was enough to make his day.

His tone grew fiercely protective.

"If you really want to thank me, then treat me like a real friend. If anything ever happens, you have to tell me."

Ivy smiled and nodded in agreement.

"With Summer locked up, no one will dare bully you again. Just focus on your work. If anyone even whispers a bad word about you, you come straight to me. I'll make them regret it."

Ethan knew she was far too gorgeous for her own good. Jealousy and harassment were inevitable in any workplace.

Without someone powerful backing her, surviving office politics would be a nightmare for someone like her.

Just because one toxic person was gone didn't mean ten more wouldn't take her place.

He was absolutely determined to be her shield.

"I will. If I run into any trouble, you'll be the first to know."

Ivy couldn't bring herself to reject his earnest kindness. After finishing with his dressings, she sat in the chair beside his bed, keeping him company.

Right around noon, her phone buzzed with a message from Elena.

It was an invitation to lunch to discuss Gemma's medical file.

Knowing the two hospital departments were closely linked, Ivy considered the offer.

What if Dr. Sinclair actually had a brilliant new treatment strategy that could save her sister?

Ivy stood up and looked at Ethan. "Do you mind if I take an extended lunch break to handle something?"

Ethan smiled easily. "Of course not! Go take care of your business. Don't worry about me."

"Thank you."

Leaving Ethan's room, Ivy felt a profound wave of gratitude toward him.

He was handsome, came from a prestigious family, and possessed a heart of gold.

A guy like him was destined to marry a woman from equally flawless high society.

She couldn't fathom how the hospital could authorize a major staff rotation without consulting the patient's family first.

She had been perfectly comfortable with the seasoned, fifty-something specialist who originally handled the case.

The moment she crossed paths with Elena, her sister's doctor magically changed.

Was Elena secretly pulling the strings behind the scenes?

Ivy met Elena's gaze, her tone resolute.

"I'd still prefer the previous attending to handle my sister's case. There's no need to trouble you or your colleague."

"Wow. You really have zero faith in me, don't you?"

Parker laughed, pouring a glass of water and sliding it toward Ivy like a perfect gentleman.

"Tell you what. Go ask around the ward. See who has a better success rate—me, or the old guy. Your sister's specific condition happens to be my exact specialty. If you actively want to jeopardize her recovery, by all means, let the previous doctor keep stalling her treatment."

Elena's expression hardened, her friendly facade slipping.

"Ivy, I pulled massive strings for you strictly because I consider you a friend. I even offered to buy him lunch today so you could properly thank him. And this is how you react?"