The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 244

She sounded exactly like an obsessive romance fan.

The others laughed and chimed in. After all, Ferris's blatant favoritism toward Zoey was practically an open secret in the hospital, especially for the Department of Anesthesiology, which worked so closely with the Department of Neurosurgery.

After a few dinners like this, everyone had simply grown accustomed to his bias.

Even me, his wife in name.

It felt like if he didn't drop a few flirtatious lines with Zoey during these events, the script was somehow broken.

It made sense. We only had twenty days left on our contract. Whether he publicized his relationship with her a day early or a day late, what did he have to fear?

The Sterling family could easily afford the breach of contract fee.

Unlike me. To avoid utter financial ruin, I had to swallow my pride and endure the humiliation over and over again.

"Tonight is about celebrating Dr. Hayes and Dr. Lennox," a deep voice pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see Ferris staring pointedly at the empty glass in front of me. "It's understandable that Dr. Lennox isn't drinking since he has the night shift, but are you sure you won't have a glass, Dr. Hayes?"

As Ferris spoke, the waiter with the wine bottle happened to walk past me. I looked at Ferris, then at the upside-down glass on the table, unable to form a response.

Just moments ago, Leon had explicitly stated that I wasn't feeling well and shouldn't drink alcohol or tea while ordering my dessert. Yet, here was Ferris, intentionally picking a fight.

Professionally, he was my superior at the hospital. Asking me, the host of the dinner, to drink was technically justifiable. Furthermore, Ferris had actually helped a great deal with the cargo driver situation. Requesting a toast from me wasn't entirely out of line.

He smiled brightly at Ferris.

Ferris stared back at him intensely, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the stem of his glass. "A good buddy indeed," he said coldly. "Showing so much dedication. However..."

He paused, his dark eyes snapping from Leon to me. There was barely any emotion in his gaze, but it made my chest tighten with a suffocating dread.

I stared down at the rippling liquid in the porcelain cup in front of me. The scent of sandalwood mixed with the sharp, sterile tang of hospital disinfectant filled the room, making my temples throb violently.

I suddenly had a terrible premonition.

The cold light from his watch reflected off Ferris's pale face as his mocking voice rang out. "We may be friends, but Dr. Hayes is Dr. Hayes. Since the toast was meant for her, I hardly think it's appropriate for an outsider like you to step in."