Chapter 688 This is a Huge Temptation!
After Caitlyn finished talking, Leonard was taken aback for a second, but then he quickly grinned and said, "What, you don't trust my skills?"
Caitlyn couldn't help but say, "Leonard, it's not that. Don't you think this feels a bit like pressure?"
Sensing her genuine frustration, Leonard quickly responded, "Having a kid is something we both decide. If you're not on board, I'll let my folks know."
With Leonard's reassurance, Caitlyn felt a bit more at ease.
Leonard leaned in and asked in a softer tone, "Did I pass?"
Caitlyn replied softly, "Just barely!"
When they were alone, Leonard always wanted to kiss and hug her. He gently put his arm around her shoulder and asked, "So, can I kiss you now?"
The day's events had left Caitlyn feeling down, casting a shadow over her mood.
When Leonard leaned in to kiss her, she turned her face away, so he only managed to kiss her cheek. Feeling a bit let down, Leonard kept one hand on the steering wheel and said, "Still mad? We make our own choices. My parents were just joking. Besides, given our situation, having a bunch of kids would just lower our quality of life. Do you think I'd do something that dumb?"
Caitlyn couldn't help but ask, "What if we had the means? Would we keep having kids then?"
Leonard kissed her and replied, "If you become the future dean's wife, we'll have a dozen."
He was half-joking, half-serious.
Caitlyn chuckled lightly and said, "Do you think I'm a baby-making machine?"
Just as Leonard was about to reply, his phone rang. Seeing it was from the hospital, he answered, and his expression changed. He then looked at Caitlyn apologetically and said, "There's an emergency at the hospital, I have to go."
He added reluctantly, "I'll take you home first."
Caitlyn was very understanding. She said, "The patient is more important; you go ahead and work!"
Leonard's earlier frustration vanished. He gently tapped her nose and affectionately said, "I'll catch up with you later then!"
Caitlyn nodded, opened the car door, and got out. Leonard watched her for a moment before driving away.
He arrived at the hospital and changed into his white coat. Just as he was about to start working, a few colleagues brought out a cake and sang, "Happy birthday to you!"
The big guy leading the group was Leonard's junior.
Leonard gave him a hearty pat on the shoulder and joked, "You rascal! It's not my birthday today, so what's the deal? Just so you know, my parents met my girlfriend today, and you interrupted us. I'll get you back for this later."
Hearing this, the big guy grinned mischievously. He tilted his head back and said, "It's not your birthday today, but someone else's. Our dean's daughter, Clio Patel. She crossed departments to celebrate her birthday. Need I say more?"
He nudged Leonard again and teased, "Quite the ladies' man, Mr. Dobbins."
Just then, the dean's daughter, Clio, walked over.
With a smile on her face, she stood slightly on tiptoe and playfully said, "Am I not welcome, Mr. Dobbins?"
Leonard was momentarily stunned, but he quickly recovered, smiling lightly. "Of course, you're welcome," he said.
As the people around them dispersed and the room grew quiet, with a sweet cake in front of them, Leonard decided to be straightforward, "Clio, I have a girlfriend."
Clio, with her hands behind her back, still looked playful, seemingly unbothered by Leonard having a girlfriend. She said, "I know! I don't have any improper thoughts about you. I just have a project I want to consult you about, so this cake is a bribe!"
Leonard smiled wryly and said, "I was just about to take my girlfriend home."
Clio leaned in and whispered, "I heard she's very beautiful?"
Leonard smiled lightly and replied, "Yes!"
Clio seemed to understand and said, "No wonder you like her so much! But I'm also curious: In a man's heart, is a wife's appearance more important, or her family background? For example, you now have a beautiful girlfriend like Ms. Robinson, but one day, a girl with a strong background tells you that she's liked you for many years. What would you choose?"
Leonard's heart trembled slightly. He wasn't a man with low emotional intelligence; he could hear Clio's implication, almost as if she was talking about herself.
Clio had a thing for Leonard and wanted him to choose between her and Caitlyn.
Leonard couldn't bring himself to be opportunistic. After thinking for a moment, he sincerely said, "Clio, we can be friends and interact as friends."
Clio wasn't mad; instead, she smiled sweetly and said, "Mr. Dobbins, you're overthinking! I didn't mean anything else. I just want you to explain that project to me."
Leonard breathed a sigh of relief and responded, "Alright!"
Clio, with her hands behind her back, said, "There's an exam tomorrow. Can you tutor me tonight? I'll treat you to dinner."
Hearing this, Leonard hesitated for a moment. He thought that he and Clio were just normal colleagues, and there was nothing inappropriate about it. As long as he acted properly, there wouldn't be any problems. Thinking of this, Leonard agreed.
In the evening, Clio got into his car, and they went to a restaurant. To Leonard's surprise, the hospital dean, Aubrey Patel, and his wife, Electra Patel, were there, along with a table of relatives. It was clearly a family gathering.
Clio, holding Leonard's arm, said playfully, "Dad, I brought your favorite student! Leonard rarely attends gatherings, so you have to give me some credit for this."
Aubrey's gaze turned intense upon hearing this.
Electra also stood up with a smile. "Clio has mentioned you many times, Leonard. Today is Clio's birthday. Come over and sit down; we're all family here, so make yourself at home," she said to Leonard.
Leonard understood what was happening, but he couldn't back out now. Playing dumb, he said, "I didn't know it was Clio's birthday. Sorry, I didn't bring a gift—how rude of me."
Electra smiled gently and said, "It's fine, your presence is enough!"
For the sake of his career, Leonard sat down to eat. The Patel family was all smiles and laughter, focusing on Clio's marriage. Clio didn't object and even helped Leonard cut his steak.
Leonard was flattered.
After dinner, he offered to take Clio home. In the car, he made things clear, "Clio, I have a girlfriend. I'm sorry!"
After saying that, he turned to look at her, hesitated for a moment, and added, "It's a bit too late for us."
Clio, sitting in the passenger seat, pulled down the mirror to apply some lipstick and smiled lightly. "My parents and uncles were just joking, but you took it seriously! I know you have a girlfriend. Don't worry. I won't ruin your relationship."
She then said seriously, "But it's a pity! My dad recently wanted to promote you to head of surgery but was worried that your personal life might affect your work! But don't worry. I'll talk to my dad."
Hearing this, Leonard was momentarily dazed.
They were all adults; he wasn't that naive. Clio's meaning was clear: she was giving him a chance. If he was willing to break up with Caitlyn, the position of head of surgery would be his, and even the dean's position in the future.
This was a huge temptation for Leonard.
For a moment, he was indeed tempted. But after thinking it over, he realized he still liked Caitlyn very much. In the end, he said tactfully, "Clio, we can only be friends."
Leonard took Clio home and then called Caitlyn from his car.
Caitlyn had just finished taking a shower. Not wanting to disturb Eden, she took her phone outside to talk. "How's everything at the hospital? Are you tired?" she asked.
Leonard thought of Clio's birthday party and felt a bit guilty. But as a man, he knew to hide some things. He chose to be vague. "It's alright! I just finished. How about you?" he said.
Caitlyn responded, "Just about to go to sleep!"
Thinking of her, Leonard felt his heart soften, and he said gently, "I'll make it up to you, Caitlyn. I'm really sorry about today."
Caitlyn smiled faintly, still willing to trust Leonard. After saying goodnight and just as she was about to go back inside, she noticed a child crouching by the wall out of the corner of her eye.
Katelyn?
Caitlyn couldn't believe it and looked again, even turning on the hallway light to see clearly. But it was indeed Katelyn.
Caitlyn put her hands on her hips and asked, "Katelyn, what are you doing here? Who brought you?"
Katelyn looked at her but wouldn't say anything.
Caitlyn sternly said, "If you don't tell me, I'll take you back right now!"
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