Chapter 94 Not One Bit Gentle
"Forget about it – let's just get the money first," Reese thought, still unsettled by the exchange with Malcolm in the car.
She didn't need anyone to change her situation, and she certainly didn't want someone patronizingly trying to comfort her.
In fact, she disliked the feeling of being transparent, of having others peer into her inner thoughts. It was like being stripped of her armor, laid bare for all to see.
Calvin chuckled with a hint of mischief, "So Reese, are you gonna take the job?"
"Transfer the cash to me, and I'll give him some intel. If the cash goes to someone else, he might as well be throwing it into the ocean."
The information they had was the result of Calvin and Louis spending two whole months covering their tracks. Although there were still some leads they needed to look into when they had the time, finding the holes was just a matter of time for someone as skilled as Malcolm.
Once a single vulnerability was found, everything else would unravel on its own.
Calvin was in the same boat as Reese; if Reese hadn’t been holding out for a bigger score, Calvin would have jumped at the six-figure deal in a heartbeat. It was like getting money for nothing—who would refuse that?
But it seemed Reese was still one step ahead.
"Alright," Reese decided, "I’m in."
"Do it," Reese instructed, "Release what you can and sit on the rest."
Calvin was at a loss now, "But what's okay to release?"
It seemed to Calvin that Reese was shrouded in secrets; divulging any one of Reese's various identities to Malcolm could be overwhelming. After all, the image Reese presented to the Flynns was night and day from the real deal.
Reese snapped back, clearly irritated, "Figure it out yourself. Do you really need to ask me that?"
Calvin could sense the tension in Reese's voice. It seemed like someone had lit her fuse.
"Reese, why are you so on edge? Menopause hit you early?"
Normally, their exchanges, while not exactly soft-spoken, weren't as explosive as they were today.
"If you spout any more nonsense," Reese threatened over the phone, "you'll have a very personal introduction to what an early menopause feels like."
"Goodbye, Reese." Calvin quickly hung up, not wanting to get burned.
Glancing at her phone's home screen, Reese chuckled. "Well, at least you’re quick to hang up."
But the person she was expecting hadn't shown up. What could be the reason?
Malcolm couldn't know she was investigating Jason, so it was unlikely he sent someone to test her.
Trying another call, she found the number was already turned off.
Reese wondered if she had been played.
She should know better than to trust people online; she’d have to find other ways to dig deeper.
And Susan, she was bold to try to play her, but Malcolm had already instructed Justin to handle it; otherwise, Reese surely would have made her regret ever crossing her path.
It turned into a wasted trip; all Reese could do that afternoon was head back to the office. As she stepped onto the front stairs, she encountered Justin.
After approaching her, Justin took Reese aside.
"Reese, Mr. Flynn said you don't have to come in this afternoon. Go home and rest up," Justin offered with a considerate tone.
"No need, I've pretty much patched myself up; it won't interfere with work," Reese declined Justin's offer.
"Mr. Flynn said even if you're patched up, you should still take a rest. Besides, he's already approved your time off. Let me drive you home."
"Really, it's not necessary. I've got things to handle this afternoon. I'm heading in now, and you should get to it as well."
Before Justin could say more, Reese was already past him and on her way.
"So stubborn..." Justin stood there, about to call out to her, but Reese had already entered the building.
He shook his head, resigned to the fact that Reese was as bullheaded as they come.
Back at her desk, Reese got the reports Malcolm had requested in order, considering their earlier encounter; she felt reluctant about seeing him.
She caught Sophia passing by.
"Could you do me a favor and give these documents to Mr. Flynn?"
Sophia looked at her skeptically, perhaps fearing some sort of setup.
"Don't get the wrong idea, I twisted my ankle earlier, and it's hard to get around."
"Alright then."
Sophia took the reports and knocked on Malcolm's office door.
"Come in."
With her head bowed, Sophia walked in and placed the documents on Malcolm's desk.
"Mr. Flynn, here are the documents you requested."
Malcolm took a moment to glance at them and then looked up.
"Where's Reese?"
"She said she twisted her ankle and couldn't walk comfortably, so she sent me."
Malcolm's deep and commanding voice made Sophia rush to explain, thinking he was on the verge of anger.
Malcolm frowned but soon his lips curled into a mocking smile. He had given her leave, but she didn't take it, and now she was claiming a twisted ankle? She had left briskly, slamming the car door, moving too smoothly for an injured person. It was clear she was avoiding him.
Well, he'd settle scores with her later.
"You can go now."
Sophia let out a sigh of relief, "Okay, Mr. Flynn, I'll leave you to it."
Reese spent the rest of the afternoon in her chair, surprisingly stationary. Thankfully, Sophia didn't come back to hassle her – not that Reese was worried, but after the tussle with those thugs earlier, her injuries were acting up, and it was still painful. It looked like she would have to swing by Dr. Robert's later for some of his bruise-healing remedies.
It would also help her dodge another encounter with Malcolm.
After a long workday, Reese called Dr. Robert, only to find out he had gone to a seminar that day.
These seminars were not much different from any professional gathering where there was always someone envious of another's success.
Reese remembered how Dr. Robert had once given her an effective medicine that helped Malcolm's leg heal quickly. She decided to swing by after work to support him.
Upon arrival, access to the venue required a pass, not just anyone could waltz in. Reese showed her med school ID to the security who couldn't hide his amazement.
"Miss, you’re quite impressive. Only the brightest get into med school, many of whom will make significant contributions to the field."
Used to such praises, Reese was unfazed.
"May I go in now?"
The security snapped back to reality, "Of course, of course."
Reese walked in and spotted Robert. Heading straight to him, she greeted, "Dr. Robert."
Turning around to see Reese, a warm smile spread across Robert's wrinkled face.
"Reese, what brings you here?"
"I was hoping to get some medicine from you, but your assistant said you had a seminar today. I thought I'd come by for support."
Hearing this, Robert beamed with pride.
"Your presence alone is an honor."
Reese's achievements and stature in the medical community far exceeded his own, and it was rare for her to attend such events. But for those she respected, she'd make the time without needing an invitation.
Dr. Robert had helped her when she was younger, and even though she had long since surpassed him professionally, she still held great respect for him.
"Dr. Robert, perform well, I'll be cheering for you."
"Great, with you here, I'll be confident. My grandson will join later; sit with him if you will."
Robert hadn't given up on the idea of them getting closer. Even if Reese wasn't particularly interested in his grandson, them building a friendship could be beneficial. Learning from Reese would be invaluable for him.
"Alright, don't worry, Dr. Robert," she said, ensuring today would go smoothly. Today was monumental for Dr. Robert, and though she wasn't keen on sitting with Remington, she wouldn't refuse, trying not to disappoint him on such a day.
As the seminar kicked off, journalists flooded in, joined by enthusiasts and veterans alike. Robert's seminars were a decennial event, integral to advancing medical science and developing drugs to improve public health.
For a physician, the helplessness in the face of a patient's agony was torturous.
When Remington arrived, for some reason, his eyes instantly found Reese sitting in the second row. Without even a complete view of her face, he spotted her in the crowd.
There was something about her, something different—her aura, her character, even her startlingly frank speech.
It was odd to find her here today. Dr. Robert must've summoned her. Otherwise, why would someone like her show up here?
With his hands casually stuck in his pockets, Remington sauntered over and took a seat beside Reese.
"Pretty overwhelming for your first time, huh?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
