Free Web NovelChapter 70: Chapter 70: He Saw Through Her, but Still Helped Her
Claire Clark wasn’t the only one who could act. When Cecelia Archer really put her mind to it, she was an even better performer.
Scolded into silence by Damien Vaughn, Claire Clark smoothed a hand through her messy hair and began her performance, tears of helplessness streaming down her face.
She looked at the nurses, her eyes brimming with tears.
"I just wanted to ask Dr. Clark about my child’s treatment, but who knew she would... If I’d known this hospital was so tyrannical, I..."
"I’m going to file a complaint! I’m reporting her to the proper authorities for unethical conduct! You’re all my witnesses. Please, when the time comes, I’m begging you to speak up for me."
The crowd exchanged glances, utterly speechless.
No one could believe that the usually sunny and cheerful Dr. Clark was capable of something like this.
Claire Clark was about to explode with rage at Cecelia Archer.
’If I don’t explain myself now, right in front of Damien Vaughn, I’ll lose my chance completely.’
"Cecelia Archer, have you no shame? You’re the one who clearly..."
Before she could finish her rebuttal, a deep, authoritative, middle-aged man’s voice sounded from the restroom entrance.
"What’s all this? Shouldn’t you all be working? What are you doing gathered here?"
It turned out to be Director Hill. The nurses all turned to look at him.
"Director Hill, Dr. Clark..."
The crowd automatically parted a path, and Director Hill walked through.
He immediately saw Damien Vaughn inside, along with two women with disheveled clothes.
"Dr. Clark, what is the meaning of this during work hours?"
Just as Claire Clark was about to explain, Cecelia Archer’s tears began to fall again.
"Director Hill, I am formally reporting Dr. Claire Clark of your hospital for unethical conduct. I only came to ask about my child’s condition, but she demanded an exorbitant bribe. When I said I had no money, she mocked me, saying I should just take my child and go die if I couldn’t even afford that. Then she hit me and said my clothes were most likely stolen! I... WAHHH..."
’Could something so outrageous really have happened?’ fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Director Hill was so shocked his hair practically stood on end.
But he knew that Damien Vaughn had recommended Claire Clark. Since Damien hadn’t said anything...
He instinctively glanced over at Damien Vaughn.
Fortunately, Damien Vaughn understood the bigger picture and didn’t put the director in a difficult position in front of everyone.
"Director Hill will handle this fairly. Just state your case calmly. Why are you crying?"
Director Hill got the message. His face immediately grew stern.
"Dr. Clark, this is Veridia First General Hospital! How dare a mere intern like you drag our hospital’s name through the mud? You’re suspended! Not another word! We will determine at a later date if and when you can return to your post!"
’Suspended, just like that?’ Claire Clark felt utterly wronged.
"No, it’s not like that! Director, please let me explain..."
’Isn’t this embarrassing enough already?’
Damien Vaughn knew Director Hill was only suspending her to save him face. Otherwise, she would have been fired on the spot.
’Claire Clark was truly too stupid to read the situation.’
’An idiot like that would only cause more trouble sooner or later if she stayed at the hospital. Damien Vaughn had no desire to be humiliated by her again.’
"An offense this serious, and you’re not firing her? If word gets out, who will dare to come to this hospital? Director Hill, fire her."
Once the crowd dispersed, Candy quickly scrambled down from Damien Vaughn’s arms and ran to hug Cecelia Archer’s leg.
"Mommy, are you okay? Does it hurt? I’m sorry, Candy didn’t protect you... WAHHH..."
Cecelia Archer picked her up, feeling deeply guilty.
Causing two scenes in one day had frightened Candy.
"I’m okay, Candy, Mommy’s fine. Don’t cry. You see? There’s still justice in the world. She hit me, but she was punished for it, wasn’t she?"
With that, she looked over at Damien Vaughn, a wave of belated embarrassment washing over her. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Even though she had her issues with Claire Clark, Damien Vaughn had genuinely helped both her and Candy.
’And here I am, getting his girlfriend fired right in front of him...’
"You... I..."
’Claire Clark’s been fired. That should have sated her thirst for revenge, right? What an actress.’
Damien Vaughn took a lollipop from his pocket, handed it to Candy, and then swept a meaningful glance over Cecelia.
"Uncle has to go now. Go back to your room and be good. Be a good girl, and don’t go picking fights with people, okay?"
Cecelia Archer knew the last part was directed at her. She felt a flush of embarrassment, but couldn’t stop herself from saying something.
"Where are you going? There’s something I want to tell you."
"Actually, I’ve wanted to tell you this for a long time. Claire Clark isn’t worthy of you. She’s not a good person. If you’re planning on marrying her, you should seriously reconsider."
Damien Vaughn hadn’t wanted to say anything more to Cecelia Archer, but her words struck a nerve, and he couldn’t control his reaction.
’Not worthy of me? Not a good person? Then who is? Who’s the good person here?’
Cecelia Archer paused for two seconds. "I don’t know. I still don’t know what you do, or even what your full name is. But my intuition tells me you’re a good person. You deserve better. Trust me, Claire Clark is not the one for you."
’What on earth gave her the idea I was going to marry Claire Clark?’
’Does she think just because she likes getting married, everyone else in the world does too?’
Annoyed, Damien Vaughn left the hospital and went to his office. A heavy feeling settled in his chest for the rest of the afternoon.
’He, the great Damien Vaughn, had actually been friend-zoned!’
’She’d flirted with him, slept with him, and now she was acting like nothing happened and friend-zoning him!’
His throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton. Everything he saw irritated him, and his whole body felt out of sorts. In a rare move, Damien Vaughn took the initiative and called Brandon Jacobs.
"We’re drinking tonight."
Brandon Jacobs thought he was hallucinating. Damien Vaughn was actually asking him out for drinks?
"What’s wrong, Vaughn? What’s gotten into you? You don’t sound right. Did you get your heart broken or something?"
Damien Vaughn was in no mood for jokes. "You in or not?"
"In, in, of course I’m in! It’s not every day you ask me out. Bro, even if the world were ending, I’d have to drop everything for you. I’m on standby. Just give me a shout when you get there."
After work, Damien Vaughn drove to Club DL himself.
At the hospital, Cecelia Archer received a call from Doris Morton.
"Why haven’t you come by the shop to see me the last couple of days? I went to your place at noon yesterday, but you weren’t home. Where’ve you been? I’ve got great news, Cecelia! I’ve met a benefactor! I’m going to close a huge deal tonight!"
Doris Morton had already worried so much over Candy’s affairs. Cecelia knew her friend’s career was at a critical stage, and telling her about Candy’s illness now wouldn’t help—Doris couldn’t offer money or support. So, Cecelia had kept it to herself.
"What kind of benefactor? How big is the deal? That’s wonderful! I knew your talent wouldn’t be overlooked. Quick, tell me everything."
Doris Morton excitedly recounted how she’d met a big boss and how he’d taken a liking to her product. But then her tone shifted, and she voiced her concerns.
"He’s older and seems pretty calm and respectable—not like a bad person—but he’s still a man. You can never be too careful. I have to keep my wits about me."
"Cecelia, if I haven’t sent you a message by nine o’clock, call me right away."
Cecelia Archer had thought this was a wonderful opportunity, but Doris’s words made her anxious too.
But Doris couldn’t just skip it. An opportunity this good was rare, and missing it because of their own paranoia would be a greater loss.
"Okay, I’ve got it. I’ll be sure to contact you on time. You be careful. If anything feels off, call me the second it happens."
