The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 317

Riley hadn't actually had a proper get-together with everyone since joining the First Hospital. With everyone hyping it up, she couldn't bring herself to say no. "Alright, anyone who isn't on call tonight, drinks and dinner are on me!"

The room erupted in cheers.

Riley sat down at her desk and texted Holly Xavier, asking for recommendations on where the department usually went for dinners.

Holly sent over a list of their favorite spots.

Riley picked one, dropped the location in the department group chat, and then sent a quick text to Mrs. Gable letting her know she had a work dinner and wouldn't be home.

After their shifts ended, Riley and the rest of the team headed out, laughing and chatting.

Lila Lanning had zero interest in going. She traded shifts with another doctor and stayed behind to work.

She couldn't stand seeing Riley looking so smug, but there was absolutely nothing she could do about it.

Even Dr. Grosse, realizing Riley had no interest in gunning for her position as Head of Department, now treated Riley with total respect. As a lowly junior doctor, Lila wasn't even in the same league. No matter how much she hated Riley, she had to swallow it.

Fuming with frustration, Lila headed down to the cafeteria for dinner. The moment she stepped into the first-floor lobby, an older woman in her fifties stopped her to ask for directions. "Excuse me, how do I get to the psychiatric department?"

Lila sighed, clearly annoyed. "12th floor."

"Is Riley Vance in that department?"

Lila paused. Realizing this woman was looking for Riley, her curiosity spiked. "Why are you looking for her?"

Elaine Vance's face lit up. Thank God she had finally found someone who knew! This hospital was too massive. That wretched brat Riley had blocked her number, and Elaine had been wandering around the building for half an hour. "I'm her mother. I need to speak with her."

"I'm reporting Riley for being a heartless, ungrateful wretch who refuses to support her parents."

"Really? Dr. Vance seems so nice. She doesn't look like that kind of person."

"I'm her mother, why would I lie about her?" Elaine snapped, her frown deepening. "I worked my fingers to the bone raising her, paid for her schooling, and turned her into a medical doctor everyone admires! But the second she makes it big, she abandons her family to live the high life in Statenbury. If that isn't heartless, what is?"

Lila had no idea Riley's personal life was such a mess. When Jenna Joyce was on that ledge, Riley had acted so selfless and heroic. Then she had gone out of her way to take Jenna dancing. So it was all just a meticulously crafted public persona to farm goodwill.

What a complete hypocrite!

Lila nodded sympathetically. "That really is unacceptable."

"She walked away from her divorce with a massive settlement. I told her to give me a little money for my retirement, and she refused to give me a single cent! She even blocked me and her father's numbers! Have you ever heard of someone so completely devoid of a conscience?"