Chapter 76 Invitation Letter
Chris took a deep breath and said, "I used to think you weren't capable and should just stay home. But last time in Dr. Bruce's operating room, you proved yourself. Maybe you really do have what it takes to do surgery. Now Aeterna Institute of Clinical Sciences is developing new drugs - it's a rare opportunity in the medical field. Come back to work at Cooper Corporation, and I promise you'll learn a lot more."
Hearing this, Joanna felt like laughing. "So you couldn't poach Dr. Bruce, and now you're planning to recruit me to Cooper Corporation? Just because Angelo hit you doesn't mean you have to do this, right?"
Chris felt a bit embarrassed and angry. "I'm just recognizing your abilities. You wanted a divorce to prove yourself, didn't you? Now I think you don't need to stay home as a housewife anymore, and I'm willing to save you a position at the institute. You should think it over carefully."
"No need to think about it!" Joanna said coldly. "When I applied to your institute before, didn't you have Dr. Gordon reject me? Since you didn't recognize my abilities back then, your recognition now isn't very sincere either."
"Joanna! Don't be ungrateful - I'm giving you a chance! Our divorce is fake. Even if you're mad at Cynthia, you should choose a better company for your career. I've invested in Aeterna Institute of Clinical Sciences. With me backing you up, you can go straight into a director position!"
Chris grabbed Joanna's wrist, getting anxious.
Joanna pulled her hand away. "I don't need it! Chris, you've already decided to meet Cynthia's parents and talk about marriage, so why are you here looking for me? Because of your pitiful little bit of guilt?"
That one sentence exposed Chris's thoughts.
He did feel a bit bad about discussing marriage with Cynthia while still married to Joanna.
But the guilt wasn't much, because if Joanna hadn't been throwing a tantrum, there wouldn't have been that drunken accident later.
In the end, it was actually Joanna's fault!
Chris came today to invite Joanna to join the institute, yes, but not to admit fault or apologize.
After being coldly rejected by Joanna several times, he lost his temper too. "Fine, whatever! I see you're so crazy about Angelo that you're turning down better job opportunities. Joanna, you say you're going to work and earn money, but really you're just out there seducing men, aren't you!"
The bitter words hurt Joanna deeply, but this wasn't the first time.
She closed her eyes to calm her aching heart and said, "Angelo has been very good to me. He's someone I'm grateful to. Your malicious assumptions are an insult to him. Chris, how did I ever fall in love with someone like you?"
Probably because of fantasies about love and marriage.
Back then, she thought Chris was charming no matter what he did. Even though their sleeping together was an accident, he was responsible enough to choose to marry her.
He even gave money to help the Jones family, letting her stay home comfortably as a housewife, just enjoying the ease and various services that money brought.
Although Chris wasn't gentle or attentive, he never denied her the dignity she deserved, and he put her in charge of managing the villa.
At the time, Joanna thought this was trust and respect.
Hearing Joanna start to question their past feelings, Chris felt an especially strong sense of panic inside. He was extremely irritated.
"Joanna, if we're talking about work, let's talk about work! If you don't want to come, forget it. Do you really think you're Dr. J, worth me making a special trip to invite you? Doctors at your level - we have plenty at our institute. We don't need you!"
With that, he turned to leave.
But remembering his purpose for coming, he tossed out an invitation and stuck it in the apartment door handle.
"Don't say I'm not good to you. Even if you don't want to work at the institute, this symposium is a great learning opportunity. Go out and meet some excellent doctors, improve your professional abilities. In this regard, Cynthia is much better than you."
Joanna laughed coldly and ignored him.
Chris left angry. He didn't care anymore whether Joanna would go or not. Anyway, he'd given her the invitation. As a husband who wasn't divorced yet, he'd already considered Joanna's interests enough.
If she didn't value the opportunity, that was Joanna's own problem.
After he left, Joanna leaned wearily against the door and glanced at the invitation - it was the same as the one Dr. Lawson had given her.
After the brief emotion faded, she thought of something important. So Chris and Cynthia would be at this symposium too?
Joanna's eyes showed mixed feelings. After thinking for a moment, she opened the door, went inside, and called Luke.
"Luke, I might be representing our company at the new drug launch symposium at your institute soon. I haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet on successfully developing the new drug."
Luke's voice sounded pleasantly surprised. "That's great, Joanna! I was planning to mail you an invitation after I finish these next couple of days. I really hope you can come to our new drug symposium! But many companies are coming to this symposium - they all hope to win the partnership for distributing our institute's drug. Is that your company's goal too?"
Joanna paused. Neither Angelo nor Dr. Lawson had told her about this.
After thinking, she said, "I don't know. I just thought it would be a good learning and networking opportunity, and I haven't seen you old friends in a long time. If time allows, I also want to visit Ms. Stone."
Linda had helped her a lot with the design competition.
Joanna had been wanting to find a chance to thank Linda.
"I see. Whether or not your company wants to win this partnership, I welcome you to the symposium. Joanna, see you then!"
"See you then!"
Joanna hung up the phone. So Angelo and Chris were competing for this partnership.
But why hadn't Angelo told her?
With his abilities, he should know about her relationship with Luke. If she went as a representative to have a chat, it could help secure this partnership.
Could it be that Angelo didn't want to use her and wanted to compete fairly?
This most likely reason made Joanna feel much better. She smiled helplessly and sighed, "Actually, if Angelo wanted me to help the hospital secure this partnership, I'd be willing to."
After all, she owed Angelo so much. Being able to repay him a little would be good.
Joanna stopped thinking about these troubling matters and got ready for bed early.
On Friday, Peter notified her that the case with Nicole was going to court and asked if she could appear.