My Secret Husband Is My Cold Boss novel Chapter 43

During elective surgeries, doctors loved to share gossip and tell jokes when things were going smoothly.

It kept them alert and eased the tension.

Today's surgery was led by the deputy director, with Wendy assisting as first-string.

The deputy director was an easygoing guy, so the surgical team talked about everything under the sun.

The second assistant brought it up first. "I bumped into Dr. Sawyer outside again right before I scrubbed in. Has she been coming to our department every day for the past two weeks without fail?"

Victor Vance shook his head. "She skipped a day. When Director Sanders went to the branch hospital the day before yesterday, Dr. Sawyer didn't show up."

The perfusionist, who regularly worked with Sampson, knew all about the situation.

He joked with a chuckle, "Our center finally gets a young, promising hotshot, and before we can even keep him in-house, other departments are already circling. No way, I don't approve."

"Wallace, since when is it up to you to approve?"

The deputy director teased him.

"We only have two female doctors in our department. You think Riley Reed can compete with the director's niece?"

Quinn Sawyer was Director Sawyer's niece?

Wendy hadn't known that.

Dr. Wallace chimed in, "Well, if Riley is out, don't we still have Wendy?"

"Stop teasing Dr. Franklin's student!" the deputy director defended Wendy.

Dr. Wallace immediately realized his comment crossed a line.

"Just joking, Dr. Gates. Don't take it to heart."

"It's fine." Wendy shook her head, her hands never stopping their work.

Not wanting to let the awkwardness linger, Victor smoothly changed the subject, asking everyone what they wanted for lunch.

-

After stepping down from the table.

With no more surgeries scheduled, Wendy decided not to eat at the surgical cafeteria today.

Pulling off her mask and heading out, she passed the nurses' station where Sophie called out to her.

"Chief Gates, I saved you some food."

Leo reached for his phone, ready to call her back.

"It's nothing," Sampson stopped him.

Protocol dictated that Wendy didn't have to report to him directly anyway. He'd only asked because he suddenly realized he hadn't seen her in over a week, and the question had just slipped out.

Seeing that Sampson had no further instructions, Leo asked, "Should I head out, then?"

Sampson nodded.

With the report on his desk, he skimmed through it.

Then, he pulled out his phone and texted Wendy: [I'm on second-line call today. I can leave work on time.]

Wendy didn't reply until eight-thirty.

Wendy: [Just finished up.]

Sampson stepped out of his office after getting her message.

At the nurses' station, Mrs. Zimmer was handing out pastries. "Director Zachary bought these to thank everyone for pulling all-nighters. Have some sugar to keep your energy up."

Spotting Sampson, Mrs. Zimmer casually offered, "Would you like one, Director Sanders?"