Chapter 288 Direct Provocation
"Hayden?" Hendrix was genuinely shocked that the doc the ortho director was raving about was actually Hayden.
He suddenly got why the director would push him towards Hayden. Outsiders might not get it, but he knew this hospital, always competing with Serenity Heights Medical Center under the Long family, was actually Hayden's family gig.
The director didn't handle it himself but let Hayden take over, clearly trying to suck up or something.
Thinking about this, Hendrix just sneered. Seeing the brown-nosing at Evergreen Valley Hospital & Wellness Center up close, he really wanted to roast them right there.
Hayden glanced at his leg, lying there like a broken twig. He felt a bit of satisfaction and was super grateful Damian didn't take his advice to leave.
Karma was here.
"What happened to your leg? Playing too hard and snapped it, huh? Not worth it," Hayden said.
Hendrix leaned back in the wheelchair, half-smiling, "Not so much of your business, is it, Hayden. Just tell me, can you fix it? And remember if you screw up, Evergreen Valley Hospital & Wellness Center's rep is toast."
Hayden silently glanced at Damian, who had his back to Hendrix, and smirked, "You wanna take over it? You're not there yet. Don't bite off more than you can chew."
Hendrix's lips curled up, feeling no regret, just satisfaction at speaking his mind, even if it meant a showdown.
Hayden was Damian's friend, so he must know Ashley. But soon, Ashley would be his wife. Let's see if Hayden could still laugh then.
Thinking of Ashley, Hendrix felt a sweet rush, like his young heart at twenty was alive again, "The more you eat, the bigger your stomach gets, and the better it digests. With what you said, I'm even more pumped to put the acquisition of Evergreen Valley Hospital & Wellness Center on the table. If you still wanna stay in the medical field, I can hire you with a fat paycheck. Knowing each other, I won't treat you bad."
Hayden smiled, folded his hands on the table, and showed no intention of examining him. "Hendrix, you're so capable. Go treat yourself. Oh, a heads-up: I'm not a vet, so I can't really help you."
His lips curled up, smiling comfortably.
Hendrix wasn't in a rush or angry and said arily, "No problem, just take good care of our law firm's Ashley. Oh, right, do you know Ashley?"
Hayden had heard some stuff about Limehof from Damian and knew Hendrix was also on the ship. From Damian's tone, he could guess Hendrix had bad intentions towards Ashley. Now, emphasizing it, why did it feel like staking a claim?
"Ashley is my good friend; it's not your place to talk crap," Hayden said.
Hendrix smiled, "Mad?"
Damian originally didn't want to deal with Hendrix. He was in no mood for this eyesore, but he didn't want to hear Ashley's name from Hendrix. So he turned his chair and looked sideways, "Still got your leg?"
Hendrix frowned hard. A dark cloud gathered on his face. He was so busy arguing with Hayden that he didn't notice who was sitting beside him. He didn't expect to run into Damian.
Just seeing Damian again, Hendrix couldn't help but instantly think of his identity as Ashley's ex-husband.
This thought made him super pissed!
"Mr. Hearst is here too? From your tone, are you planning to break it again? Fine, if you wanna do it, go ahead. It's just a leg, and I can afford to lose it. After all, a leg can be replaced with a prosthetic, but some things, once lost, can never be found again. Even if found, they no longer belong to you. That feeling is the most painful, don't you think, Mr. Hearst?" Hendrix said.
Hendrix's taunting tone made Damian instantly realize he knew about that whole mess.
How did he find out?
Did Ashley spill the beans herself? Why would she tell him that stuff?
Damian's fingers clenched, and the unlit cigarette in his hand crumbled into bits.
There was a faint red glow in his eyes, like a deadly intent, "You want it?"
Hendrix was firm, "Wanting it ain't enough. You gotta work for it."
"If you wanna die trying, be my guest," Damian said.
The tension was so thick it could shatter the office's tempered glass.
Hayden had known Damian for years and rarely saw him this threatening. He was sure if Hendrix pushed too far, Damian would drive him to his grave, and the whole Long family would go down with him.
Hendrix was playing with fire by hinting he wanted Ashley.
"Looks like Hayden's medical skills aren't up to snuff. No point wasting time. It's faster to chase with two legs," Hendrix smirked, his thin lips curling, determined to win.
Damian just let out a faint hum.
Hendrix was wheeled out of the office unscathed and soon ran into the orthopedic director, Beckett, striding over.
Beckett had timed his arrival, thinking Hayden should be done with the scans and key points. He didn't expect it to be so quick, "Hendrix? Already done?"
Hendrix gave a cold, meaningful smile, "Sorry, Beckett, for wasting your time. I don't trust Hayden. Better switch to another hospital."
Beckett paused slightly.
He had specifically referred Hendrix to Hayden, firstly to show Hayden he wasn't overstepping, and important patients were still referred to him. Secondly, Hendrix had a special status. If something went wrong, the Long family would be a nightmare, and only someone as skilled as Hayden could handle it.
Plus, the wealthy families often mingled and got along well.
Why didn't it go as planned?
"Is there some misunderstanding, Hendrix? Hayden might be young, but he's experienced, especially in surgery. He's our orthopedic ace," Beckett said.
Hendrix smiled, "An ace with this level? I think Evergreen Valley Hospital & Wellness Center should stop hyping its ortho department. Also, docs should have some ethics. Beckett, when teaching skills, maybe throw in some ethics lessons, too."
Beckett was taken aback, struggling to keep a smile.
After Hendrix left, Hayden slapped the table, "Damn Hendrix, he needs to be dealt with!"
Damian said, "This is between him and me."
"Now it's my business, too. Didn't you hear him? Serenity Heights Medical Center wants to take over our Evergreen Valley Hospital & Wellness Center. Bold move, declaring war on me. Just wait; I'll take down his law firm first. Well, maybe not the firm, since Ashley's there. Let's start with Serenity Heights Medical Center," Hayden said.
Dealing with Hendrix wasn't the hard part. The hard part was Damian couldn't tell if Ashley had feelings for Hendrix. "Alright, get back to it! I'm heading out."
Hayden stood up, "I'll drive you home."
Damian said, "Roy's waiting downstairs."
Alright then.
Without letting Hayden drive him, Damian walked straight out.
The outpatient hall was almost empty. When he looked up, his gaze passed through the curved bar of the front desk and saw a slender figure.
A tall figure in a beige long dress, waist-length hair flowing down, gently swaying with each step.
It was Ashley.
