Chapter 58: Fighting with Dr. Smith
The three kids exchanged glances. Billy swallowed nervously, his guilt evident on his face.
Alex stayed quiet for a moment, then raised his little hand. "I'm sorry, Mommy. It was me."
As the eldest, he felt a sense of responsibility even for his siblings' mistakes.
“You?”
Nora eyed Alex with suspicion. It was hard for her to believe.
Alex was known to be very responsible, not the type to cause mischief.
"No, it was me," a small voice confessed.
Billy mustered the courage to speak up after he saw his brother Alex taking the blame.
Nora raised an eyebrow. "So it was you?"
The second son, with his mischievous nature, seemed just the type to pull a prank like soaking her bed.
"It wasn't me, Mommy,” piped up Samantha. She had watched her brothers take the blame and now spoke up. “I just told Billy to think up the idea."
Nora looked at the three pairs of wide, innocent eyes and felt both amused and exasperated.
"Quite the united front, huh? Alright, since all three of you are involved, what do you think your punishment should be?"
The three kids exchanged glances. Billy, rubbing his rear end nervously, ventured, "Maybe... you could spank us?"
Nora quirked an eyebrow. "I don't believe in physical punishment."
Their eyes lit up with hope at her words. Mommy won't spank us!
But their joy was short-lived as Nora continued, "Alex, you're on toilet cleaning duty. Billy, go fertilize the saplings. Samantha, I want you in the garden catching bugs."
The trio was speechless.
This wasn't a spanking, but it was something even more dreadful!
"No, no, no! Mommy, I don't want to catch bugs!" Samantha cried out first.
She was the prettiest and most adorable girl who hated creepy crawlies the most.
"Sis, I'll swap with you," Billy offered gallantly.
"Fertilizing stinks, I don't want that either!" Samantha exclaimed, making a face.
"You can't be picky. This is all your fault," he retorted.
Samantha pouted and whimpered.
Nora wanted to laugh listening to their childish bickering but held it back.
"Enough, that's settled then. We'll do this after school."
Nora went to freshen up, and Samantha, with a pout, scurried down to the first floor.
"Mr. Thomas, Mommy punishes me," she declared.
Aaron chuckled at her theatrics. "And why did Mommy punish you?"
Samantha blinked innocently. "Because she's mad that I didn’t want to sleep with her."
Aaron couldn't help but laugh. "What's the punishment?"
"I have to catch bugs in the garden after school. Mr. Thomas, those bugs are so scary," she whined, pouting dramatically while strategically glancing at Aaron for sympathy.
Aaron patted her head. "No tears, I'll help you with the bugs."
Samantha's frown turned into an instant smile.
With twinkling eyes, she asked, " Mr. Thomas, you'll stay at our house forever, right?"
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to stay?"
"But Mommy said once you get better, you're going to leave," Samantha said, her spirits dipping slightly.
With a gentle squeeze of her cheek, Aaron asked, "Would you rather I stayed in a wheelchair forever?"
After a moment's thought, Samantha shook her head. "I just really want you to get better quickly."
Aaron felt a soft warmth in his heart.
"You're such a sweetheart. No matter where I am, I'll always be with you in spirit," he assured her.
Giggling, Samantha proposed, " Mr. Thomas, let's make a heart with our hands!"
"Absolutely!" Aaron agreed with a smile.
Just outside the door, Nora listened to their exchange without interrupting, her lips pressed into a thin line. She wished that Aaron were just an ordinary man who could be a part of their lives without complications.
After breakfast, Nora dropped her three little ones off at daycare before driving to Central Hospital, which had recently established a new research office. She followed the signs until she found the right place.
Several people were already there when she walked in, and her eyes quickly found Howard, who was deep in conversation. Seeing Nora, Howard's brow furrowed.
"Why are you here? Who are you looking for?" he asked.
With a slight smile, Nora introduced herself. "Good morning, everyone. I'm Nora, Jack's assistant. I'll be taking over his duties and working with you all on the research project."
Hearing this, everyone but Howard greeted her warmly and introduced themselves.
Howard looked at her skeptically. "Research isn't something to take lightly, Nora. It's not a field just anyone can jump into. If you want to join our team, you need to prove yourself."
Nora, standing her ground with dignity, asked, "And how would you like me to do that?"
"You studied herbalism, correct? Well then, take half the day to familiarize yourself with the herbs in the hospital's storage. This afternoon, we'll do a spot check," Howard proposed. "You'll need to tell us what each cabinet contains and the purpose of each herb."
The other staff members exchanged glances. The hospital's storage contained at least a thousand different herbs, both common and obscure. Even experienced herbalists would struggle to memorize all of their uses within a month, let alone half a day. Could this young woman manage?
"Alright," Nora replied calmly.
Howard narrowed his eyes. "Fine, Nora. You've agreed, but if you can't deliver, don't take it personally when I'm blunt about it. There'll be no hard feelings."
Nora offered a demure smile, "Doctor Hamilton, if I can't measure up, I'll bow out of the research team on my own accord. But if I do succeed, I expect the same level of respect in return. If you can't see the value in herbalist, then this interdisciplinary research team has no reason to exist."
Her tone was calm, laced with dignity, and made no effort to cushion the blow to Howard's ego.
Howard, struggling to save face, quickly changed the subject. "Who else hasn't arrived?"
At that moment, the click-clack of high heels echoed from the hallway.
Someone strolled in, breakfast in hand.
"Am I the last one? Sorry, I'm late."
The newcomer, with chestnut curls and a form-fitting dress, wore her makeup flawlessly.
She was Dr. Luna, the daughter of the vice dean of Central Hospital.
"Dr. Luna has arrived," Howard acknowledged her presence.
With a curt nod, Dr. Luna surveyed the room, "Hasn't Jack arrived yet? I thought I'd be the last one."
Spotting her searching for Jack, Nora chimed in, "Hi, I'm Nora, Jack's assistant. He's tied up with other work, so I'll be stepping in for him from now on."
Dr. Luna's smile faltered as she sized up Nora. "What? Jack is not coming anymore? When did he get a young assistant? Why wasn't I informed?"
Suspicion lingered in her eyes.
Nora returned a light smile, "Just recently."
Was Dr. Luna smitten with Jack, perceiving Nora as a potential rival?
Over at Gordon Corporation.
Noe wheeled Aaron, who was seated in a wheelchair, into the office.
His unexpected arrival sent shockwaves through the staff, creating an immediate buzz.
In no time, the news of his return from the brink of death swept through the company.
In the boardroom, the various directors had just received word, buzzing with a mix of reactions.
Some were delighted, others disappointed.
"He's actually alive!"
Caleb, Aaron's uncle, scowled as he looked toward his son, who was sitting at the head of the table.
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