Chapter 22
"What?" Cynthia and Chris exclaimed in shock at the same time.
"Your surgery was actually successful?" Chris looked Joanna up and down again.
He realized he might never have truly understood her.
He had to admit, Joanna did have some ability.
Cynthia could tell from Chris's expression that his opinion of Joanna had changed, and she immediately felt threatened.
"Joanna, congrats on nailing that surgery! Guess that we blocking you from David's case was actually a blessing in disguise. You finally found something more your speed."
Cynthia's words sounded like congratulations, but she was really saying Joanna wasn't capable of doing David's surgery.
After Joanna's reminder, Chris also realized that Joanna had only done a minor surgery. This didn't prove anything; any new doctor could perform easy surgeries!
"It's just one successful surgery, Joanna. Don't get too full of yourself. You're still far behind those really good doctors. Especially geniuses like Dr. J."
"Actually, I am..." Joanna wanted to clear things up with Chris, but then she heard Angelo calling her. She turned around to see him holding a bouquet of flowers, looking at her.
"I heard your first surgery was very successful, Dr. Jones. I came especially to celebrate with you!"
Joanna lit up and grabbed the flowers. "I was literally about to hit you up for dinner, and here you are. Angelo, I'm calling the shots on where we go this time—I seriously owe you big!"
"Sounds good."
The two of them walked off together. The other nurses said their goodbyes with regret, quietly envious behind their backs.
This scene was painful for Chris to watch!
That man again.
Ever since this dude started sniffing around Joanna, she'd turned into a completely different person!
How far had things gone between them? Why the hell did this guy even know where Joanna worked, showing up with flowers and dinner plans like he owned the place!
Chris clenched his fists and instinctively started to rush over.
At that moment, Dr. Lawson finished his surgery and came out from behind. "Mr. Cooper, David's condition has been temporarily stabilized. My abilities are limited, so from now on we can only use conservative treatment. Please remember, the patient should..."
Chris had to control himself to keep from rushing over. He listened impatiently as Dr. Lawson finished explaining the precautions. When he looked for Joanna again, the two of them had already left.
"Joanna! Do you even remember that we're still married!" Chris said through gritted teeth, venting in a low voice.
After helping send David back to his room, Cynthia saw Chris still standing in the same spot, pinching the flesh of his palm to control his emotions.
She could tell that Chris still had feelings for Joanna, which was why he always got upset over her actions.
But since they'd already decided to divorce, they shouldn't keep getting tangled up with each other.
Maybe she needed to push Chris a little.
Cynthia adjusted her expression and walked over. "Chris, you don't look happy. Has the pressure been too much lately? You have to handle David's surgery arrangements and worry about the design competition, and Joanna keeps causing you trouble. I know you're having a hard time too. Why don't you take a few days to rest?"
Chris didn't want to admit he'd lost his composure from seeing Joanna with another man, so he shook his head. "The contest is important. How are you and the design department coming along?"
Cynthia let out a heavy sigh, stress written all over her face. "All the designs we pitched last round were total garbage, which is why I've been losing my mind. I even had you pull that doctor you set up for Joanna's mom and give him to me instead. But don't sweat it—I'll figure something out and nail this competition design. I'm gonna do whatever it takes to get our company that win."
In fact, she had no ideas.
Everyone else in the design department was useless. The designs they submitted were all outdated and unoriginal, completely unable to win any prizes.
Cynthia was under a lot of pressure inside, but she couldn't let Chris see it, or she wouldn't be able to stay by his side.
"Thanks for your hard work." Chris seemed distracted.
Cynthia smiled and said, "Don't mention it. By the way, Matthew said you have another business dinner tonight. Should I come with you?"
Chris had no reason to refuse.
To thank Angelo, Joanna chose a very famous restaurant. The food had just arrived when they ran into Dr. Lawson.
"Mr. Smith, getting Dr. Jones to join our hospital was amazing! We're so lucky to have you as a board member!"
Joanna hadn't hidden the fact that she was Dr. J on her resume for Grace General. After all, in a place like that, only achievements like Dr. J's could give you real standing.
But Dr. Lawson's words caught Joanna off guard. "Angelo is a board member at Grace General?"
Dr. Lawson immediately guessed that Angelo hadn't told Joanna about this and looked at Angelo, waiting for his cue.
Angelo smiled. "Grace General was founded with my mother's funding. It's not related to Smith Group, so most people don't know. You earned your spot here fair and square. My uncle's surgery—you're literally the only person on the planet who can perform it. Like Dr. Lawson said, we're lucky to snag you for Grace General!"
This wasn't the first time Angelo had said such affirming words.
Joanna's conflicted feelings also faded away. "I do believe in my abilities, but I still want to thank you for giving me the chance to prove myself."
"No need to thank me."
They smiled at each other, neither saying anything more to spoil the mood.
After Joanna got home, she quickly freshened up and immediately threw herself back into work, reviewing case files for the surgeries scheduled for the next few days.
That's when Matthew's call came in. Joanna had never blocked him, so it would be easier to handle the divorce with Chris later.
"Ma'am, Mr. Cooper has had a lot to drink, and his stomach problem might be acting up. Could you come to take care of him?"
In the background behind Matthew's voice, she could hear Chris slurring and rambling like a drunk idiot.
After caring for Chris for three years, Joanna knew his body well. The guy was such a workaholic that he'd skip meals left and right, which totally screwed up his stomach.
The villa was always loaded with antacids and stomach meds, but they could never keep up with how fast Chris burned through them.
At its worst, Chris had even been hospitalized, and Joanna had cared for him around the clock for over a month before he recovered.
But that was all in the past. Considering their current relationship... Joanna didn't plan to go.
"There are servants at the villa. Mr. Cooper and I are planning to divorce. Next time you call me, it better be because Mr. Cooper has signed the divorce papers. Don't bother me with anything else."
Matthew was in a difficult position. "Ma'am, but you two aren't divorced yet. As his wife, you should take care of..." Before he could finish, Matthew suddenly shouted, "Ma'am, Mr. Cooper is vomiting blood!"
Joanna suddenly gripped the pen tightly. After all, she had loved Chris for so many years, so when she heard he wasn't feeling well, she still instinctively worried.
But she quickly controlled her emotions. "It's not convenient for me. Don't come to me about this kind of thing anymore!"