The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 85

Even though I was completely immune to Ferris's constant criticisms by now, in that split second, I still felt a stinging disappointment, like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head.

He saw it all. He knew my response hadn't embarrassed Capital General in the slightest. Even if he didn't agree with me, did he really have to belittle me right in front of Dr. Yates and Zoey?

Was this all just payback because I refused to be his scapegoat this morning?

I was fuming on the inside but maintained a perfectly professional mask. "Thank you for the reminder, Dr. Sterling. I'll be sure to keep that in mind."

Dr. Yates quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Alright, Dr. Sterling, it's Selena's first time at a seminar of this magnitude. Cut her some slack and guide her a bit more."

Ferris shot me a cold, detached glance and said nothing.

Covering a yawn, Dr. Yates waved us off. "Anyway, the rest of the afternoon is for you young folks. I'm going back to my room to catch up on some sleep. See you at the banquet."

Within moments, Dr. Yates had vanished from sight.

That was when Zoey sidled up to me, affectionately looping her arm through mine. "Selena, why don't we go explore the area? I packed in such a rush that I didn't even bring a proper evening gown. Will you come with us to pick one out?"

Us.

I chewed on that word mentally. My gaze slid past her to Ferris as he coldly stated, "The car is already waiting downstairs. We're on a tight schedule."

Seriously? He was taking Zoey dress shopping, so what was I supposed to do? Tag along and watch them play happy couple?

Thinking quickly, I looked for an excuse. "I still have some files to organize, so I'll pass on..."

"Selena, no one is rushing you for those files," Zoey interrupted, putting on an exaggerated pout when she saw I wasn't budging. "Besides, dressing up is about maintaining Capital General's image! As the star of our anesthesia department, you have to look absolutely stunning tonight."

Zoey actually had a point.

I had assumed the banquet would just be a casual dinner, but given the sheer scale of today's seminar, the evening event was bound to be a highly formal business mixer.

Because he always said he was busy, and because I had been madly in love with him, I had accepted that excuse. Yet this incredibly 'busy' man somehow had all the time and patience in the world to trail behind his Little Mischief, admiring river views and picking out dresses.

I could practically hear the sound of a certain conviction shattering in the depths of my heart.

"Selena, do you think this color is too flashy?"

The girl's excited voice snapped me back. I glanced at the bright yellow, waist-cinching dress Zoey was holding up. Forcing down the bitterness in my chest, I managed to say, "It looks fine."

"Perfect, I'll take your word for it," Zoey beamed, turning her attention back to Ferris. "Could you wait just a little longer, Ferris?"

Taking it all in, I turned and walked toward a different section of the store.

Just then, my phone buzzed in my bag. It was Lucille.

"Selena, you went on a business trip with my son-in-law and didn't even tell me?" As always, she skipped the pleasantries and dove straight into the gossip. "So? Did you two get to enjoy some alone time? Did you..."