bChapter 32 /b

Evander picked out a dark tie and strode out of the walk–in closet.

Charlotte leaned back against the cab, letting out a quiet breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

Even if he knew.

He wouldn’t care, would he?

Tricia had barely set foot in the hospital that morning when she sensed something was off.

A handful of nurses were whispering and ncing her way, exchanging

furtive looks.

As she drew closer, she overheard one of them say, “I can’t believe Director Winthrop faked that whole ident herself. That means Dr. Sterling waspletely innocent!”

at do you expect? Director Winthrop’s boyfriend is Mr. Howard. If one’s getting framed, it’s always poor Dr. Sterling who ends up ng the fall.”

“And remember how she used Dr. Sterling of stealing her bracelet? Now it seems like that was probably—”

Before the nurse could finish, another, noticing Tricia’s approach, cut her off with a frantic wave, her face paling.

The nurses all froze, exchanging panicked nces, embarrassment written inly across their faces. They’d all epted gifts from Tricia, and now here they were, gossiping behind her back.

Tricia smoothed the ice from her eyes and strolled over to the nurses‘ station, wearing her warmest smile. “What video are you talking about? Mind showing me?”

There was a moment’s hesitation before one nurse reluctantly handed

over her phone.

The moment Tricia saw the video, her expression changed dramatically.

Impossible.

She was sure she’d deleted this security footage herself.

“Who posted this?”

The two nurses shared a look and shook their heads. “It was sent to the

executive group chat. They said… it was to clear Dr. Sterling’s name.”

Tricia’s face lost some of its color.

The executive group…

She knew several of the higher–ups were in contact with Evander.

Did that mean he’d seen the footage too?

She’d been so careful–how had this gotten out? Who could possibly-

Suddenly, a name shed across her mind.

Charlotte.

Of course.

It had to be her.

–

Meanwhile, in the dean’s office.

Dean Chase had watched the security footage himself. He screwed the lid on his thermos and looked at Charlotte with a heavy sigh. “Lottie, I know you’ve been through a lottely. I wanted to keep you here, but…”

He paused, his tone softening. “After everything that’s happened, maybe your decision to transfer is for the best.”

His own position as dean was thanks to Rosemary’s rmendation, and with Tricia backed by Evander, no matter how much he valued Charlotte, things would only get harder for her at Metropolitan General.

There was no winning against power.

Charlotte smiled knowingly. “Thank you, Dean, for understanding.”

She headed back to her office. As soon as she stepped inside and saw Tricia waiting for her, she didn’t even blink.

“Did you need something, Director Winthrop?”

“Dr. Sterling, what’s the meaning of that security footage?”

Tricia’s words were sharp, but Charlotte just smiled. “Finally tired of pretending?”

Tricia’s lips curled in a forced grin. “I underestimated how stubborn you are. Was all this really worth the trouble?”

“I’m just proving my innocence. Why should I take the me for something I didn’t do, just because you have Evander in your corner?” Charlotte replied, turning to face her.

At the mention of Evander, Tricia’s smile grew cold, her gaze turning almost predatory. “I knew it. There’s something between you and Evander, isn’t there? While I was gone, was he keeping you as his little secret?”

The usation made Charlotte’s face cloud over.

Seeing her reaction, Tricia’s confidence only grew. “I knew it. But it’s too bad–I’m back now.”

“You saw it with your own eyes, didn’t you? In front of me, Evander won’t even acknowledge you. Did you really think you could trap him with your body? How pathetic.”

“He’s loved me for ten years. Ten years, Charlotte. Do you really think you

b3/4 /b

could everpare to that?”

Ten years…

Charlotte felt the blood drain from her face.

So Evander had loved Tricia for ten years.

Then what about all those years she’d spent by his side? What did those memories mean to him?

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