Chapter 12
'D-Dermot, why would he be here?' the girls thought in unison.
An awkward silence fell over them as Dermot stared at Evelyn and Ruby with scrutinizing eyes. Both of them wished the floor would open up and swallow them.
Good thing that the elevator arrived.
Thinking on her feet, Evelyn grabbed Ruby and hurriedly stepped inside, hoping to get rid of Dermot. But to their surprise, in one long stride, Dermot joined them.
"Why did you say she was lenient on me? What do you think she should have asked for?" Dermot spoke, his gaze fixing on Ruby. Somehow, his calm tone sent a chill down her spine.
Ruby swallowed nervously, but then she realized that in the matter of the divorce, it was Dermot who had wronged Evelyn. She hadn't said anything wrong.
Just as she was about to reply, Evelyn spoke up, "Here's what happened, Mr. Doyle. Ruby believed that after I performed the surgery on Ms. Ackers, I should have requested additional compensation from you. That's why she made those remarks."
"Are you implying that I should pay you more?" Dermot turned his head to look at Evelyn, his words carrying a hint of threat.
"Of course not." Evelyn shook her head, forcing a smile. "It's my fault for not explaining it clearly to Ruby. She doesn't know how much exactly you have given."
"Really?" Dermot looked at Ruby again, feeling that she was talking about something else.
Receiving Evelyn's warning gaze, Ruby nodded firmly, though not entirely understanding what was going on. "Yes."
"That's why you want to beat me up?" Dermot frowned.
Ruby felt guilty and didn't dare to meet Dermot's eyes.
"She was just joking. Don't take it to heart," Evelyn explained, inwardly cursing her bad luck as Dermot happened to show up when they were badmouthing him.
Dermot ignored her and stared at Ruby long and hard before saying softly, "You're Richard's daughter?"
"What... Yes." Ruby nodded, surprised that Dermot knew her.
"Very well. I'll remember you," he said and stepped out as the elevator reached the first floor.
Ruby's legs suddenly went weak. If it wasn't for Evelyn catching her in time, she might have collapsed. "No, this is bad. He won't retaliate against my Dad's company, will he?"
Watching Dermot's departing figure, Evelyn shook her head. "I doubt it. Dermot isn't that immature."
Ruby agreed and calmed down a little. She then asked, "What's going on? He doesn't know you as his wife?"
During the brief elevator ride, Evelyn and Dermot barely interacted, and Dermot didn't seem to understand Ruby's words. It was the only possible reason Ruby could think of.
"No, we haven't met since we got married."
Evelyn nodded, continuing. "And do you know? The next day after we divorced, he showed up at my door, asking me to perform surgery on his girlfriend. I was completely dumbfounded."
"His girlfriend?" Ruby's interest was piqued. "Tell me more."
Immediately, Evelyn explained the whole story behind performing surgery on Cassie, expressing her wish, "I really hope I don't have to see him again."
"I don't think that's possible," Ruby taunted. "Have you ever wondered why he is here?"
Evelyn was at a loss for words.
She thought, 'No way. Moris City was sprawling, yet I managed to end up in the same neighborhood as Dermot? And we even live on the same floor?
'What rotten luck!'
Ruby patted her shoulder and smirked, "Looks like fate isn't done toying with you two. Who knows? You might even remarry.”
"I'd love to see Dermot's face when he finds out you're his ex-wife." Ruby wished she could tell Dermot right now.
"Get lost!" Evelyn gave her a glare, her mood particularly sour.
The next day, Evelyn went to work as usual and started performing surgeries as soon as she arrived at the hospital, keeping busy throughout the day.
When she finally had a moment to check her phone, she saw more than a dozen missed calls, all from Ruby.
An inexplicable sense of unease arose in her heart, and she quickly called Ruby back.
"Finally, you finished working and called me back." As soon as the call connected, Ruby's voice came through in a hurried and flustered tone.
"What happened?" Evelyn asked.
"That jerk Dermot happened!" Ruby cursed, taking a deep breath before continuing. "He suspended his cooperation with Dad's company."
Evelyn was taken aback. "No way."
"I just got off the phone with Dad. He sounded anxious, thinking he must have offended Dermot somehow. He has no idea it was me who offended Dermot." Ruby didn't dare to tell Richard the truth, fearing his wrath.
Evelyn realized the urgency and said, "Don't worry, I'll come over and help you figure out a solution."
"Don't come over. Let's meet at the entrance of the Doyle Group," Ruby suggested.
"The Doyle Group?"
"Well, what else can we do? I have to go and apologize," Ruby said, on the verge of tears. "The Doyle Group is the biggest client of my Dad's company. If we lose its contract, my Dad's company might go bankrupt."
"Alright, I'm on my way." Evelyn was reluctant to see Dermot, but she knew that she caused the situation. So, she couldn't just sit idly by.
After hanging up, Evelyn changed and took a taxi to the Doyle Group. She successfully met up with Ruby in front of the office building.
As they walked into the building together, they were quickly stopped by the receptionist. "Do you have an appointment, ladies?"
"No." Ruby shook her head and said, "I have an urgent matter to discuss with Mr. Doyle. Can you make an exception for us?"
"I'm sorry, but you can't meet Mr. Doyle without an appointment," the receptionist replied with a rehearsed smile, politely declining their request.
Refusing to give up, they decided to wait for him on the first floor. Dermot was bound to come down at some point.
In the CEO's office, Todd received a phone call and looked at Dermot, who was engrossed in work. After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke up, "Mr. Doyle, Ms. Kite and Dr. Kyte are downstairs. They said they wanted to see you. What do you think?"
Dermot responded with a grunt, not lifting his head as he continued to flip through the documents.
Todd was baffled and didn't dare say anything more. Instead, he asked, "Mr. Doyle, are you really going to stop the collaboration with the Kite Group?"
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