Chapter 934 Refusal to Join
Lyra never thought Dr. Adams' words were a compliment.
Given his antagonistic stance with Jeffery, the remark was likely more of an insult.
Fortunately, Lyra was used to enduring.
"Dr. Adams, why'd you go to the trouble of inviting me here? I have patients waiting at the hospital, so if we could get to the point quickly, I'd appreciate it." Her words were polite but carried an unmistakable distance.
Dr. Adams' hawk-like eyes lifted with a hint of a smile. "You really enjoy your current job."
It wasn't a question; it was a statement.
"Yes, I do." Lyra took a breath, her face calm and composed.
She had to endure. Jeffery wasn't here, and the man in front of her was someone she absolutely couldn't afford to offend. She could be sarcastic with Ruben, but any disrespect towards Dr. Adams, a figure of long-standing authority, could have catastrophic consequences.
Unexpectedly, Dr. Adams stared at her for a moment, then slightly furrowed his brow, his tone tinged with genuine confusion. "Strange... You look familiar to me..."
Lyra's heart skipped a beat.
Before she could figure it out, Dr. Adams shook his head, as if dismissing a ridiculous thought. "Never mind, it probably isn't. Let's get to the point." He withdrew his scrutinizing gaze, his tone returning to the calm of someone in power. "I reviewed the report on the surgery you performed. It was excellent. It's clear Jeffery has invested a lot in you."
"The association never wastes good talent, especially someone like you, gifted and young."
The olive branch was extended, direct and clear.
Lyra's tense shoulders relaxed at that moment. She had repeatedly guessed Dr. Adams' intentions, with "recruitment" being the most likely. Now, her guess was confirmed, and the weight on her heart was finally lifted.
She exhaled slightly and looked directly at him. "First, thank you for your recognition, Dr. Adams..."
Dr. Adams narrowed his eyes. He could tell that this gratitude would be followed by a firm "but."
Sure enough, Lyra's voice was clear and resolute. "...But I have no interest in joining the association. I have my job, and I don't consider myself that ambitious."
She paused, her tone more earnest. "Rather than making waves in the medical field, I prefer to stay at the operating table, treating and saving patients. That's my true calling."
A doctor's duty isn't to form factions or build power barriers. She just wanted to work quietly, earn money, and save lives, nothing more.
"Those words are exactly what Jeffery said back then." Dr. Adams snorted coldly. "No wonder he trained you."
Lyra was stunned. Had he refused in the same way?
Dr. Adams looked at her again, the warmth in his eyes completely gone, replaced by an undeniable pressure. "Have you considered that joining the association could help you achieve all that faster and better? Whether it's resources or opportunities."
Under his oppressive gaze, Lyra found it hard to breathe. But her answer remained "no."
"Sorry, Dr. Adams. I really don't want to."
Screech—!
Dr. Adams' face darkened completely. He abruptly pushed his chair back, the legs scraping against the polished marble floor with a piercing shriek. "Without joining the association, you have no future!" He said each word coldly, "Your grad school recommendation letter, your academic papers, every path to the top will be blocked!"
Lyra's heart tightened, but her face slowly broke into a smile. Fortunately, she was prepared.
"Papers are still a long way off for me. As for the recommendation letter," she met his dark gaze, her smile deepening, "you don't need to worry about that because... someone has already promised to write it for me."
With that, she turned and left, maintaining that almost provocative smile the entire time.
Ruben personally escorted her to the door. Outside the association building, the evening breeze ruffled his short hair. He watched her determined back, his thin lips parting to utter a single word:
"Fool."
Lyra heard it but didn't stop.
On the path of resisting authority, there was already a Jeffery. She thought, she wasn't alone. Back at the hospital, Mia immediately pestered her for details.
Lyra omitted the most thrilling parts, only giving a general account, which was enough to make Mia exclaim, "Oh my God! You actually refused? You really refused! Lyra, you're my idol!" She excitedly gave a thumbs up.
Lyra slapped her hand away, smiling wryly. "Stop it, I was scared to death."
She took off her coat and collapsed into a chair, letting out a long breath.
"Hey, I was just praising your courage to stand up to authority."
"What courage? It was all an act." Lyra tugged at the corner of her mouth, self-mocking. "My legs are still weak. Just standing straight in that atmosphere took all my strength."
To become the person she wanted to be, she still had a long way to go.
That evening, just as Lyra was about to leave work, Jeffery's call came in right on time, as if perfectly timed.
"How was work today?" He asked, his voice as cool as ever.
Lyra held the phone between her shoulder and ear, organizing the medical records on her desk. "Same as usual. You know, ever since they found out I can cover for surgery, I've been working double duty."
On the other end, there was a very low, very soft laugh.
Lyra paused, thinking she had misheard. "...Was someone just laughing?" She couldn't believe it was Jeffery.
After a moment, the magnetic laugh came through clearly again, followed by Jeffery's gentle explanation. "It was me."
His voice still carried traces of laughter, lightly tickling her eardrums like feathers.
Lyra's face turned bright red. She could almost picture the cool, composed man, holding the phone with a slight smile.
Realizing she had been silent for too long, she quickly found a topic. "Oh, by the way, I went to the association today. Dr. Adams invited me to join, and I refused."
On the other end.
Jeffery, wearing a white coat and holding a file, instantly had a serious expression upon hearing this.
A passing doctor greeted him respectfully, "Good evening, Dr. Gray."
Jeffery ignored him, stopping in his tracks to ask in a deep voice, "What did he say to you?"
"Nothing much, just some threats. I didn't pay attention." Lyra's tone sounded indifferent. With Jeffery's promise, her biggest vulnerability was protected, so she wasn't afraid of the association's threats. In a society governed by law, they wouldn't resort to underhanded tactics, right?
Jeffery couldn't read minds, but he could sense her naivety from her relaxed tone.
His brows furrowed deeply. "Lyra, they're not as simple as you think." He said seriously, then changed the subject. "Your family matters are almost resolved. Would you like to... transfer back to my department?"
He had sent her away to avoid family troubles. Now, the old issues were resolved, but she had encountered a bigger threat.
He wouldn't feel at ease unless she was under his watchful eye.
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