Chapter 18: Ava Joins the Hospital
Lyra took Mia's arm and deliberately said in a loud, surprised voice, "Mia, you're amazing! You actually got Barry's attention and became his student."
Lyra's voice attracted everyone else's attention, and when they heard Barry's name, people gathered around.
Barry's name naturally drew people in.
"Barry? The Barry that even Mr. Miller has to show respect to?"
Mia smiled, gave a modest laugh, and nodded. "Yes, I was lucky to get Mr. Myers' attention. It's an honor to be his student."
"Oh my god, doesn't Mr. Myers never take students? Mia, for Mr. Myers to make an exception and take you as his student, that's really amazing."
"That's because Mia has excellent medical skills."
"I'm so jealous. I dream of having Mr. Myers give me some guidance so I could improve my skills too."
"Yeah, Mia is young and accomplished. Not only did she save Mr. Victor Thomas, but she also got Mr. Myers' attention. Plus she's the number one beauty in our cardiac surgery department, comes from a good family, is beautiful and kind-hearted, has incredible medical skills, and things with Mr. Joshua Thomas are almost settled, right? As a woman, she's a total winner in life. We're all so jealous."
Surrounded by admirers, Mia kept her modest smile and said softly, "You're all exaggerating. Joshua and I haven't settled anything yet."
Lyra teased, "Not settled yet doesn't mean it won't be settled. It's just a matter of time anyway. Mia, you'll marry Mr. Thomas sooner or later. Just don't forget about us when you do."
Mia lowered her eyes, her cheeks flushing red with a shy smile. "Of course I hope things will be settled soon. Oh my, the meeting's about to start. Stop crowding around me."
"Mia's getting shy now."
Things were very lively around Mia.
Joseph's assistant Fox went on stage to remind everyone, "Stop chatting, everyone. Mr. Miller is almost here. Mr. Miller has something important to announce today. Everyone go back to your seats."
"Fox, what important thing? The most important thing we know about is that Cynthia, ranked number one in the medical field, is coming to our hospital. Is there something else?" someone asked curiously.
Mia looked at Fox with some nervousness. Of course she didn't want Cynthia to come. If Cynthia came to their department, her reputation alone would be enough to steal all the attention that should be on her. How could she possibly want her to come?
"Is Cynthia here?" Mia asked the question everyone cared about, pretending to be casual.
"No, Cynthia isn't coming. But there's another new doctor joining, also in your cardiac surgery department."
Mia felt relieved inside, but on the surface she looked regretful. "It's such a shame Cynthia isn't coming."
If Cynthia wasn't coming, no one else could steal her spotlight.
"Everyone stop chatting and get back to your seats."
Soon Joseph walked into the conference room with his usual serious face and stern manner, with Ava walking behind him.
Lyra chatted with Mia, but Mia was uninterested. She was still thinking about how to hide Victor's illness.
She had no idea where Ava learned her medical skills, but she actually used just a few needles to pull Victor back from death's door. Her own methods didn't work on Victor at all. When Victor's condition flared up and she couldn't handle it, everything would be exposed.
Her mind was on this the whole time, and she didn't care at all about any new colleague. It wasn't like it was the famous Cynthia. No one could steal her spotlight, so she didn't care.
"Hello everyone, my name is Ava!"
"..."
Mia's head shot up, her pupils contracting.
Standing next to Joseph was a woman in a light-colored suit dress. She had long, slightly wavy hair and an elegant, cool presence.
Her extremely beautiful, delicate face wore a faint smile. After introducing herself, she just stood there quietly, listening to Joseph continue.
Ava!
Mia's gaze wavered, and she suddenly gripped the armrest of her chair.
How could it be her?
Many doctors nearby let out gasps of admiration.
"She's so beautiful, like a movie star."
"Yeah, not just beautiful. That presence is amazing."
"She just raised the overall attractiveness of our hospital."
Lyra, who was glaring at Ava through gritted teeth, let out a cold snort after her surprise. Seething inside, she disdainfully interrupted the doctors talking nearby. "She just has looks, that's all. Someone with bad character who got expelled from school and didn't even finish sophomore year—I don't know how she got into the hospital."
"Bad character? Expelled? What do you mean?" A few people got interested.
"She was expelled from our school back then. It was common knowledge. Want to guess why she was expelled?" Lyra deliberately raised her voice with obvious mockery, making people nearby prick up their ears to listen.
Mia glanced at Lyra with helplessness in her eyes and said softly to Lyra, "Lyra, don't say anymore. This isn't something glorious for Ms. Davis."
However, her voice wasn't quiet at all—people around could hear her.
Hearing her say this made others even more convinced there was a story.
"Tell us, why was she expelled?"
"Yeah, tell us. We're all curious."
Mia pressed her lips together with a look of wanting to speak but holding back, which made people even more curious.
"Quiet! You people over there, what's with all the noise?" Joseph, having finished a section, looked disapprovingly at Mia's area.
Mia stood up and bowed slightly to Joseph, saying apologetically, "Sorry, Mr. Miller. Please continue."
Ava raised an eyebrow, her cool eyes glancing at Mia.
Mia curved her lips at her, the look she shot over carrying a provocation only they understood.
"Mia, how could she possibly get into our hospital?"
After all, this was one of the top hospitals. If you weren't from a prestigious school, didn't have high-level credentials, didn't have superior medical skills, you simply couldn't get in.
What right did Ava have to join the hospital?
This was something Mia couldn't figure out either. Ava had been expelled from the top medical school back then. Logically, no other school would be willing to take her. Moreover, she knew that Ava never went back to school after that, but instead married Joshua.
But the facts proved that Ava really had joined the hospital and become a doctor there. And yesterday she saved Victor. Where did she get these abilities?
After the meeting ended, many people were still gathered in the conference hall.
Ava had wanted to go organize her office, but just as she walked out of the conference hall, someone called out to her.
"Ms. Davis."
Ava turned around, her indifferent gaze falling on Mia, her red lips curving slightly. "What is it?"
Mia's pretty face wore its usual fake smile. "No, I should call you Dr. Davis now."
"Mia, with that title, our famous Ms. Davis probably doesn't dare accept it. After all, we all know Ms. Davis was expelled from school and didn't even finish sophomore year." Lyra stood to the side with her arms crossed, sneering.
"Lyra, don't talk about Dr. Davis like that. After all, being able to get into the hospital like this shows Dr. Davis's ability."
"She really is capable. Otherwise, how could she have seduced a teacher back then?"
The two went back and forth, while many doctors coming out passed by the door and stopped to watch the show.
Ava's cool, indifferent face also showed a hint of a smile. She didn't refute what they said, just stood there quietly watching them go back and forth.
But her open gaze made it seem like they weren't even talking about her.
"Are you done?" Finally, after their clumsy performance, Ava spoke coolly.
"..."
"If you're done, move aside. I'm busy." With that, Ava didn't give them another glance and walked away.
"Ava!" Lyra stamped her foot in anger.
What did that dismissive attitude mean? It made the two of them look like petty people deliberately trying to embarrass her, but she didn't even engage with them, making them look even more like ridiculous clowns.