Chapter 138 Saw Him Again
Before she knew it, the day of Dr. Parker's grandson's baby shower had arrived.
Matilda brought her gift to the hotel. Dr. Parker had reserved the hotel's grand ballroom and invited relatives, hospital colleagues, representatives from pharmaceutical companies, and other professionals in the field.
By chance, Ethan was there too, seated with the directors from Serenity Health Center—apparently he'd been promoted since returning.
Seeing that not everyone at his table had arrived yet, Matilda went over to chat with Ethan for a bit.
"Ethan, work's going well for you lately?"
"Pretty well. Even though I didn't finish a full year at the border, they're promoting me to associate chief physician anyway. The paperwork's being processed—I just need to pass one more exam."
"Congratulations." Matilda hesitated, then brought up Carol. "Has Carol... been in touch with you?"
"Yeah, we chat on WhatsApp now and then." He gave a bitter smile. "I miss her like crazy."
That smile held plenty of helplessness and resignation.
"Sometimes I really want to drop everything here and go find her, but the rational part of me knows that's impossible."
"It really isn't realistic. I wouldn't recommend it either," Matilda agreed.
His mother was getting older, his sister needed his support—he couldn't just abandon all that.
Matilda didn't know what else to say. With Ethan's credentials, finding a girlfriend would be easy. She had no idea how long he could hold out.
Eventually, more colleagues from Serenity Health Center arrived, so Matilda returned to her seat.
Midway through the meal, she accidentally spilled some colored soup on her clothes. Not wanting to clean it up at the table, she excused herself to the restroom.
The men's and women's rooms were separate, but they shared a common sink area. Matilda had just finished tidying her clothes when she looked up to see a man staring at her.
He looked familiar, especially that menacing look in his eyes. Then she remembered—this was Nason, the guy she'd thrown over her shoulder last time.
"Ms. Spencer, how've you been?" Nason had a cigarette dangling from his lips, looking like a total punk.
Matilda ignored him and tried to leave. He stuck his foot out to block her path. "Last time you threw me, you dislocated my shoulder. So, how are you going to make it up to me?"
"If you're not satisfied, sue me. I'll pay whatever the judge says I owe you."
Nason let out a derisive laugh. "So feisty. No wonder Wentworth likes you."
"If you've got beef with Wentworth, take it up with him. What's the point of harassing me?" Matilda stepped over his foot and headed back toward the banquet hall. Afraid he might follow, she walked quickly.
As she neared the hall, she glanced back. Nason hadn't followed—he was still leaning against the wall by the restroom, smoking. Seeing her look back, he even waved at her.
She rolled her eyes at him and returned to her seat.
...
Dr. Parker and his son and daughter-in-law made the rounds with the baby. But the daughter-in-law was protective—look but don't touch, and keep your distance.
From afar, Matilda caught a glimpse of the baby—rosy-cheeked and adorable, the kind that could melt your heart with just one look.
Dr. Parker was beaming with pride, asking anyone of childbearing age, "When are you having kids? They're so precious—better get started soon!"
When he got to Matilda, he said, "Dr. Spencer, you need to get moving too! Remember Addie? You two used to butt heads, but after she left Harmony Health Center, she got married right away. She's about to have a baby. You should have one while you're young!"
Matilda thought to herself: Someone like her is having a baby? Which sucker took that deal? Hopefully the kid doesn't inherit the mother's pettiness.
After Dr. Parker finished making his rounds, Dr. Cox suggested, "We should go say hello to the director's table!"
The director and Dr. Parker's group were all big shots in Phoenix City's medical and pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Cox led everyone over to greet them, with Matilda trailing behind.
That's how the workplace was—even doctors couldn't escape networking. After exchanging pleasantries, all they had to do was down their drinks and get out.
Matilda had just finished her drink and was about to head back when someone called out, "Wait, I haven't had mine yet!"
That voice... Matilda turned toward it. It was Nason.
"Everyone, let me introduce you—this is Mr. Nason Everly, CEO of Evershine Group."
"Mr. Everly, where'd you disappear to? We haven't seen you in ages!"
"Mr. Everly, let us toast you again."
Nason walked over to an empty table and poured himself a drink. "Just went out for a smoke, ran into a beautiful woman and chatted for a bit. Sorry to keep you all waiting!" His eyes flicked toward Matilda.
"Don't even say that—we're honored you could make it!" Dr. Cox was quick to suck up.
Nason acted friendly and approachable, raising his glass to toast everyone individually while offering a few kind words. When he encountered someone particularly attractive, like Dr. Wesley from Matilda's department, he'd tease them. "So young! You even out of high school yet?"
Dr. Wesley said, "I'm almost thirty."
"You look so young."
When his glass touched Matilda's, he deliberately moved closer, his hand brushing against hers. She reflexively pulled back, then barely touched the rim of her glass to her lips.
"Why isn't this doctor drinking?" Nason asked. "Do you look down on us common folk?"
Matilda had no choice but to finish the whole glass. It was hard liquor—not a big deal for her, but one glass still left her throat burning.
...
Back with the group, Dr. Cox told the doctors, "We've got another event after this. Dr. Parker says you all have to come."
Dr. Wesley asked, "Huh? What's the next event?"
"Serenity Health Center's looking to source pharmaceuticals from Evershine Group, so we need to schmooze with that Mr. Everly. Dr. Parker specifically invited him for this reason."
Matilda asked instinctively, "Can I skip it?"
"Absolutely not. Except for Wanda, who needs to watch her kids, everyone else has to go—especially you young people who can hold your liquor."