The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 73

The patient nodded in confirmation.

As it turned out, Ferris and Zoey had visited her hospital room around four or five in the morning.

"They told me exactly what you were going through," the patient said, her eyes dropping to the floor. "Honestly, I knew about it the first time my mother-in-law came down here to cause a scene, but I was just too much of a coward. I kept telling myself I needed to maintain harmony in the family. Thank god Dr. Sterling yelled some sense into me... I am so, so sorry, Dr. Hayes."

After the patient left, the head nurse gleefully clapped me on the shoulder. "See? What did I tell you? We take care of our own at Capital General. Leon pulled strings to get the security footage, and The Scalpel went straight to the patient to advocate for you. You did great, Selena."

I looked at the head nurse in surprise. "Wait, I thought the hospital administration requested the footage?"

"That takes forever with all the red tape and approvals. Leon called in a personal favor," she whispered, leaning in close. "He really stuck his neck out for you."

Thinking back to my conversation with Leon yesterday afternoon, it all clicked into place.

No wonder he had the inside scoop so quickly.

"Alright, it's over and done with. You survived the storm," the head nurse said, giving me a warm, maternal look. "But seriously, both of those doctors—especially The Scalpel, who usually doesn't care about anything but surgery—took time out of their crazy schedules to fight for you. You need to go over there, say thank you, and offer to buy them dinner."

She was right. Setting aside the fact that Ferris was my husband, on a purely professional level, I genuinely owed him a massive thank you.

"But isn't it a bit late to catch him today?"

The head nurse rolled her eyes playfully. "The sooner you thank him, the more sincere it looks. If he accepts, you've built a solid professional connection. If he declines, at least you did the polite thing. Got it?"

Her logic was flawless. Ferris had helped me, and common courtesy dictated that I buy him a meal.

I nodded. "I'll head over to Neurosurgery in a bit."

She flicked me lightly on the forehead. "Attagirl."

Half an hour later, I walked into the Department of Neurosurgery, only to bump straight into Zoey.

The younger woman trotted over, practically beaming. "Congratulations, Selena! I heard the patient's family dropped the complaint!"

Zoey tapped her chin thoughtfully before replying, "Okay, sounds good. When Ferris gets back, I'll have him give you a call."

I was just about to thank her when I noticed her gaze fixated on something behind me. I turned around and realized Ferris was standing right there.

Our eyes met, and the first thing I noticed was the absolute frost in his gaze.

Zoey, lively as ever, chirped, "Did you hear that, Ferris? Selena wants to treat us all to dinner."

Ferris walked forward without a word. His face was an impassive mask, his demeanor as detached and unapproachable as always. He didn't even pause as he walked past me. Just as I was about to ask him directly, he stopped abruptly. Turning his head to look at me, his voice was laced with ice. "I only did it to protect Capital General's reputation. You'd do well to remember your place, Dr. Hayes."

Remember my place.

Protect Capital General's reputation.

I mulled over those two sentences in silence, my smile freezing on my face.