My Reborn Admirer Wins Over My Heart (Oriana) novel Chapter 172

**Chapter 172: Intentions**

With Cormac at the helm, ensuring everything ran smoothly, Nyla found her place within the team without much difficulty, especially since many of the specialists were already on friendly terms with Mia. It was almost as if she had been welcomed with open arms, and her transition felt seamless.

In the realm of patient consultations, the tide had shifted. No longer was Oriana the shining star of clinical performance; that honor now belonged to the seasoned and self-assured Nyla. This shift did not go unnoticed. Nyla basked in the accolades, receiving praise from colleagues and even multiple compliments from William during their discussions. The attention she garnered only served to inflate her already burgeoning pride.

As Nyla’s confidence grew, so did her aloofness. She often shot glances at Oriana that were laced with challenge, as if daring her to step up. Yet, Oriana remained unfazed. She immersed herself in her work and studies, undeterred by Nyla’s antics.

Despite the rivalry, Oriana couldn’t deny that some of Nyla’s ideas were impressive. On a couple of occasions, she found herself admiring the boldness and innovation behind them. Nyla’s professional knowledge was indeed formidable, making it clear that she was a force to be reckoned with.

Just as Oriana was finishing her diagnostic work, her fingers dancing over the keyboard, a shadow loomed over her workstation. Without raising her gaze, she recognized the familiar tone that dripped with mockery.

“Luna really comes from a medical family. Even you, at the top of your age group, can hardly compare,” Luna remarked, her voice laced with a hint of malicious delight.

Oriana completed her last line, closed her laptop with a definitive snap, and shot a cold, dismissive glance at Luna’s pretentious expression as she brushed past her.

With a low, derisive chuckle, Oriana couldn’t help but retort, “Luna, what are you so smug about?”

Luna’s smile faltered momentarily, her confidence shaken as she replied, “I still have a chance to catch up to her. Do you?”

Oriana’s single, cutting sentence was enough to make Luna’s expression sour, the green of frustration creeping into her cheeks.

“Oriana, don’t get cocky. You think I can’t surpass you?” Luna hissed, her anger barely contained, her voice rising just enough to catch the attention of nearby colleagues.

“You couldn’t even fix a dislocation properly. You’ll need more practice,” Oriana shot back, her words cutting through the tension like a knife, effectively silencing Luna.

The air between them thickened with unspoken animosity, the atmosphere growing tense and awkward. Oriana, however, remained unfazed by Luna’s humiliation. She gathered her belongings, her mind already focused on the next task at hand, and prepared to make her exit.

As she approached the doorway, two ordinary doctors, who had recently aligned themselves with Luna, stepped into her path.

“Luna, you’re still here? We’ve been looking for you,” one of them said, their tone brightening the moment they spotted her.

Luna’s demeanor shifted instantly, her previous composure returning with a flourish. “Oh? What do you need me for?” she asked, feigning innocence.

“We came to congratulate you,” the second doctor chimed in, excitement in their voice.

“Oy, Luna’s shy?” one of the doctors teased, laughter bubbling in their voice.

Oriana stood by the door, listening for a moment longer, before finally allowing herself to relax slightly. She hoped, with all her heart, that the chatter was indeed solely about Luna, as they claimed. The last thing she wanted was to become entangled in their web of drama.

On Wednesday afternoon, Oriana and Lily arrived at the expansive, tiered lecture hall, ready for the first Smart Medical meeting. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, and the main speaker, Oscar, representing Aurora, commanded attention as he took the stage.

Grant was notably absent, leaving a palpable void in the proceedings.

Luna, along with her entourage, occupied the front tier, her presence commanding as she actively contributed ideas throughout the meeting. It was evident that her points aligned seamlessly with the broader objectives of Smart Medical, earning her nods of approval from the hospital leaders in attendance.

Beside Oriana, Lily muttered, a hint of bitterness lacing her tone, “She’s acting so rehearsed. Clearly, she went over this script in advance.”

Oriana couldn’t shake the feeling that Luna, just a medical student, was far too adept at throwing around technical terms related to AI and smart medical systems. It was hard to believe that most of the audience could grasp her points either.

Grant had been running his startup for three years, and Oriana had been fortunate enough to accompany him on several occasions, gaining a basic understanding of professional terminology but struggling with the more intricate concepts.

Of course, the possibility lingered that Grant had taught Luna. After all, now that they could finally express their affection openly, it wouldn’t be surprising if their relationship had blossomed into a partnership that extended beyond the personal into the professional realm.