Chapter 161
Chapter 161
The compliment brought a warm blush to Olivia’s cheeks. She hadn’t expected something as subtle as a change in hairstyle to be noticed so quickly.
“You flatter me, Dr. Wilson,” she said with a soft laugh. “At this rate, I should probably clear out your office immediately. Either the flowers have affected your eyesight, or you've been hallucinating from inhaling too much floral perfume.”
Dr. Wilson shrugged. “Perhaps it’s just me, but the divorce practically made you glow.”
Olivia dismissed the remark with a light wave of her hand. “Well, Dr. Wilson, shall we discuss the patient?”
The humor faded from his face, replaced by the seriousness befitting the matter at hand. He opened the folder on his desk and turned his attention to the case.
“Right,” he said. “Let’s begin.”
—
“DR. HILTON, PLEASE REPORT TO THE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE. DR. HILTON TO THE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE.”
Olivia had just stepped out of Dr. Wilson's office when her name echoed through the hospital speakers.
Being summoned to the Director's office was rare. Being called over the intercom? That could only mean trouble.
The Director's office occupied the top floor, far above the organized chaos of the wards and operating rooms. She entered the elevator and pressed the button to her floor. The elevator climbed with agonizing slowness, maybe because she was worrying too much.
Ding.
The doors slid open and she hastened out, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat had long since given way to nervous thuds pounding against her ribs.
On the outside, she remained composed. Years of practice had taught her how to wear calm like a second skin.
Inside, however, she was one heartbeat away from a complete meltdown.
She had only met the Hospital Director a handful of times during his rounds. They exchanged greetings. Nothing more. Never once had she been personally summoned to his office.
Which made this infinitely worse.
By the time she reached the imposing door, her palms were damp. She straightened her coat, smoothed an imaginary wrinkle, and knocked.
“Come in.”
The deep voice from the other side made her stomach drop. Taking a quiet breath, Olivia pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The Director sat behind his broad mahogany desk, fingers laced together, his expression carefully schooled into neutrality. The last rays of the sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him, painting the city skyline in orange hues.
And when he didn't immediately ask her to sit down, Olivia knew she was in trouble.
“Dr. Hilton,” he said finally. “I assume you know why you’re here.”
“No, Sir.” The answer left her lips automatically, though she had a pretty good idea. Her knees suddenly felt weak, and before they could betray her completely, she lowered herself into the chair without waiting for permission.
The Director rubbed his temple and released a weary sigh. “Dr. Wilson's office has turned into a flower shop. Frankly, I think the bouquets have better attendance than some of our interns.”
He chuckled at his own joke.
Olivia couldn't.
Heat flooded her face. Of all the reasons to be summoned by the Hospital Director, being reprimanded over flowers had to be the most humiliating.
“I'm sorry, Sir.” Her voice came out softer than she intended. “I truly didn't expect things to escalate this far. I promise I'll deal with it before the day ends.”
“Please do, Dr. Olivia.” His tone turned serious. “A small disturbance can snowball into a major problem if left unchecked. Handle the commotion before it causes trouble for everyone.”
She lowered her head.
“Yes, Sir.”
Silence lingered between them.
Then his voice softened.
“Did Dr. Wilson brief you about our very important patient?”
“He did, Sir.”
“Good.” The Director leaned back in his chair. There was something almost reverent in his expression. “Of all people, I entrusted her to you because you're our best neurosurgeon.” He gave her a pointed look. “Take extra care of her, Dr. Olivia. We can't afford mistakes. The future of this hospital may very well rest in her hands.”
“I won't let you down, Sir.” Resolve hardened in her eyes as she said the words.
“Good.” He gave a dismissive nod. “You may go.”
Relief washed over her so quickly that she almost sagged with it. She rose from her chair and released the breath she'd been holding for a moment now. Keeping her composure, she walked toward the door at a measured pace, though every instinct urged her to sprint.
“Dr. Olivia.”
Her hand froze on the doorknob. A thousand dreadful possibilities flashed through her mind. She swallowed and turned around.
“Yes, Sir?”
His stern expression had vanished.“I'm sorry to hear about your divorce.”
The words caught her off guard. She managed a faint smile and shrugged.
“There are things we have to let go, Sir. Mine just happened to be my marriage.” She paused, sadness flickering briefly across her eyes before she forced a small smile. “Perhaps it's for the better.”
“Perhaps it is.” The Director agreed to her surprise. His gaze lingered on her face, and the stern lines around his eyes softened. “You know, you're practically glowing. It's the first time I've seen your eyes shine like that.”
He shook his head lightly, almost amused. “You've always been brilliant, Dr. Hilton, but today, you actually look happy.”
Olivia was too stunned to respond. She stood rooted in place, quietly taking in his words. Compliments from colleagues were one thing. Hearing them from the Hospital Director himself was another entirely.
The Director chuckled softly and gave her a playful wink.
“Well, I happen to have a nephew. Fine young man. Handsome, too. You might be interested in meeting him.”
Olivia nearly choked. She let out a nervous laugh. “That's very kind of you, Sir. But I'd have to decline. My career is my priority at the moment.”
“What a shame.” He sighed dramatically before nodding with mock resignation. “Still, can't blame a man for trying.”
“Have a good day, Sir.”
And with that, she hastened out of the office before the Director could remember he had another eligible relative tucked away somewhere.
Olivia returned to Dr. Wilson's office and, to her relief, found Nurse Jessy already there along with several nurses enjoying their break, waiting for instructions on what to do with the mountain of bouquets crowding every available surface.
Throwing them away seemed criminal.
So, after a brief discussion, she handed each nurse a bouquet, which they accepted gratefully. The remaining arrangements were sent to the wards to brighten the rooms of patients who rarely received visitors.
With the last few bouquets left, Olivia personally made her rounds, placing them in patients' rooms one by one.
Soon, only one arrangement remained.
It was the largest bouquet of orchids Olivia had ever seen, an extravagant display of white and lavender blossoms wrapped in silk and tied with satin ribbons. It was far too beautiful to leave sitting in an office.
Smiling to herself, she decided there was only one patient important enough to receive it.
Cradling the bouquet in her arms, Olivia made her way down the quiet corridor leading to the hospital's most luxurious private suite. Even from a distance, she spotted the three armed men stationed outside like statues, their stern expressions making it abundantly clear that ordinary visitors were not welcome.
The moment she approached, one of them stepped forward.
“Ma'am, we'll need to inspect that.”
Olivia obediently surrendered the flowers. The men examined every stem and every ribbon with almost comical thoroughness before finally nodding and stepping aside.
“You're clear.”
Olivia thanked them and entered the room.
It was spacious enough to rival a five-star hotel suite, yet an unusual tranquility hung inside. And there, resting peacefully upon the bed, was her new patient.
Olivia slowed to a stop.
Even in sleep, the elderly woman looked impeccably put together. Her silver-white hair was styled in a neat, voluminous coiffure. Soft curls framed her face, while the sides were sculpted into elegant rolls that seemed to belong to another era.
She looked as though she had stepped out of an old portrait, carrying herself with the quiet grace of a queen.
Olivia didn't move, afraid that even the sound of her footsteps might disturb such a serene expression.
But perhaps sensing another presence in the room, the elderly woman's eyelids fluttered.
“Sarah is that you?”
One elegant hand rose instinctively to smooth a strand of silver hair that had escaped its perfect coiffure. She blinked twice, gathering her bearings, then turned her head slightly toward Olivia.
“Oh,” the elderly woman mumbled under her breath. “I’m seeing an angel. Did I just die and go to heaven?”
Olivia suppressed a smile. The medication must still be taking effect. “Hello. I’m Dr. Hilton. I brought you some flowers.”
The elderly woman simply closed her eyes again and drifted back to sleep.
Olivia carefully arranged the lovely orchids in a vase, adjusting each stem until the bouquet looked just right before placing it at the center of the bedside table.
Once she was satisfied, she turned and headed for the door. Just as she reached it, someone came hurrying around the corner. Olivia barely managed to stop in time, narrowly avoiding a collision.
Both women looked up simultaneously, shock mirrored on their faces.
“Sarah?” Olivia blurted out.
Of all the people she could have run into, it had to be Sarah.
“What are you doing in my grandmother’s room?” Sarah demanded, glaring at her with murderous fury in her eyes.