Chapter 13 You're Just a Pawn in the Marriage Game
"What's wrong?" Josephine asked.
"It's about the hospital," Liam said. "Someone is trying to use connections to get into our department."
"A doctor?" Josephine inquired.
"He didn't even pass the medical exam, so he can't be called a doctor. I checked his credentials, and it's quite... Let me show you."
Liam took out his phone and handed it to Josephine.
Before she could see the information, she noticed the photo in the upper right corner of the resume.
Ray Fisher?
She saw the name again. It was indeed him.
Josephine didn't bother to look further and asked directly, "Did he go through the regular recruitment process?"
"How is that possible?" Liam replied. "With his qualifications, he would have been eliminated in the first round. Someone went directly to Dr. Lee. You know that I've always been in charge of personnel matters in our department."
"Handle it according to principles," Josephine advised. "Don't get angry."
"What angers me is that these people don't try to improve themselves but only seek fame and fortune. Can people like them really be dedicated to healing and saving lives?"
As Liam spoke, he skillfully prepared breakfast for Josephine.
Then he asked, "Will you go on the matter relating to our hospital's collaboration with Force 407?"
Clement Hospital, as a prestigious private hospital, had treated many generals, soldiers, and civilians during the war.
And it was all free of charge.
Therefore, since the end of World War II, Clement Hospital had maintained a good relationship with the military.
Every year, the hospital and the military would collaborate on various activities, which had become a tradition.
This was an honor that other public hospitals could not achieve.
Josephine thought for a moment and nodded. "I'll go."
Liam was pleasantly surprised. "You haven't gone the past years. I think the last time was during your internship, right?"
That was right.
It was during that time that Josephine went to the military, but she didn't expect to encounter her lifelong enemy, Stuart.
It was during their time together that she fell in love with him.
Now, those sweet and happy memories had turned into a painful nightmare.
If Josephine hadn't fallen in love with Stuart back then, perhaps...
"Then take good care of yourself and participate in the event next year," Liam said, noticing her daze, and tapped her plate. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing," Josephine smiled. "Let's eat."
Liam snorted, "Are you thinking about what happened that year? In my opinion, you shouldn't have saved them..."
"Liam," Josephine interrupted, "It's in the past. Let's not bring it up."
Liam asked seriously, "So when are you going to get a divorce?"
Josephine put down her fork. "Are you going to let me eat?"
"Then let me ask you one last question."
"What?"
"What do you feel about Stuart now?" Liam looked at her with deep eyes. "Do you love him?"
"I don't love him anymore. I just see him as a money-making machine, okay?"
Just as Josephine finished speaking, she heard a sound at the door.
When Stuart returned, he pushed the door open and was greeted by an infuriating scene.
Josephine and Liam were sitting across from each other, chatting and laughing. They looked like a family having breakfast together.
Stuart's whole body was cold, as if he had brought in the chill of early winter.
His cold, fierce eyes stared at Josephine and Liam, freezing the atmosphere.
Hearing the noise at the door, Josephine looked up.
She wondered, 'Why did Stuart come back at this time? Did he hear what I said jokingly?'
Liam was also uncomfortable. After all, this was the Haustia Manor.
He didn't want to make things difficult for Josephine, so he stood up. "Take care of yourself and have a good meal. I'll leave first."
She averted her gaze and looked at Liam with sincerity. "Liam, thank you."
He understood what she meant. She didn't want him to conflict with Stuart.
Liam nodded slightly and took big pace walking to Stuart.
Fearing another fight between the two, just as Josephine was about to speak, she saw Liam by the entrance, giving Stuart's shoulder a hard bump before opening the door and leaving.
Stuart's gaze didn't shift to Liam, it remained fixed on Josephine.
She met his eyes. "Why are you back now? Have you eaten?"
Stuart approached with his cold eyes.
Accustomed to his high status, his presence was imposing.
Josephine, however, showed no fear.
He stood beside her, looking down. He reached out, gripping her chin, and said coldly, "This is the Haustia Manor. Josephine, if I find Liam here again, I'll break his legs!"
Josephine wriggled free from his grasp, calmly stating, "As you wish." "Josephine!" Stuart felt a sudden panic, a loss of control.
He was always proud, never allowing anything to escape his grasp.
Stuart didn't have time to analyze the emotion. His body acted before his mind.
He once again harshly held Josephine's chin. "Remember, you're just a tool for our alliance. I can make you not my wife at any time! Even if you come begging, I won't spare you a glance!"
Josephine remained silent; her bright, pure eyes fixed on him.
She thought her heart had long been numb. But today, she realized that Stuart could hurt her even more.
They made eye contact and Stuart's heart skipped a beat. He felt that strange emotion again, almost untouchable.
Stuart felt a sense of uncontrolness. He became more agitated, grunting and letting go. Without another glance at Josephine, he went straight to his room.
Not long after, he came out with his suitcase, not even looking at her, and left.
Josephine looked at the sumptuous breakfast but couldn't eat at all.
Claudia, upon learning of her injury, quickly arrived at the Haustia Manor.
When she heard what had happened, she became angry and scolded Doris. Unfortunately, Claudia, a former socialite, wasn't good at cursing. She only repeated words like "villain" and "despicable."
Finally, she said, "Josie, you can't go to work with your foot injured. Why don't you come with me abroad?"
She was participating in an international fashion design competition and had made it to the next round. She needed to go ahead.
Josephine shook her head.
Claudia insisted, "Come on, just relax. And with you by my side, I'll be at ease."
Looking at her earnest, watery eyes, Josephine finally agreed.
Everything was quickly arranged.
The next day, Josephine and Claudia boarded a plane to the other side of the ocean.
Before Josephine left, she never imagined that her experience in a foreign land would be so extraordinary.
