Chapter 66: Taking the Persistent Ghost to the Extreme
Barry's deep eyes narrowed, "What condition?"
Ava smiled lightly, "It's simple. If I win, I want all of you to apologize for doubting me today."
Barry stared at Ava for half a second, then finally smiled meaningfully, "Let's talk about it if you can actually win."
With her current reputation, having all the hospital staff vote for the director position was basically pushing herself into a dead end.
They all knew full well that Ava had no chance of winning.
A female doctor with a ruined reputation, rumors of misconduct, and who had just been temporarily removed from her position right after taking office - it was hard to say if she could even get patients in the future.
What could she use to prove herself to them? What could she use to win over everyone in the hospital?
But she was just too proud in the end.
Impossible was impossible, no question about it.
But she just wouldn't believe it...
She said, "No, I will win."
Her eyes were full of determination.
"Fine, I'll be watching!"
Mia had never been this excited before. In just one month, Ava would become everyone's laughingstock.
This was just perfect.
This time, she wouldn't just pull her down from the director position - she would make it impossible for her to stay at the hospital.
No, not just the hospital.
She would make it impossible for her to stay in the entire medical field, make her despised by everyone, her reputation ruined, unable to even get patients. Thinking about all this made Mia's heart race with excitement.
Just wait and see, Ava.
You're finished.
Ava was held up inside for over half an hour. When she came out, she hurriedly dialed Finn's number.
"Mommy." Finn and Cleo's voices came through. The moment Ava heard her two children's voices, all the gloom in her heart disappeared.
Ava asked with a gentle smile, "Babies, did Sabrina pick you up and take you home?"
Ava had found a new nanny who would pick up Finn and Cleo when she was busy. After all, Ava didn't want what happened last time - with the two kids sneaking out - to happen again.
It was too scary. If it happened again, Ava would probably end up in the operating room herself.
"Sabrina already picked us up and brought us home, but Mommy, are you working late again? Why didn't you have time to pick us up?" Cleo asked in a soft voice.
"Yeah, I've been so busy lately." Finn pouted, also a bit unhappy. "But Mommy, how did dinner with Daddy go today? Did you two make up? Did you explain everything? Did Daddy make you angry?"
That was what they really cared about.
Faced with this barrage of questions, Ava smiled helplessly, not knowing which one to answer first. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Everything went pretty well."
"What about the details? The process?" The two kids weren't letting her off the hook and kept asking.
"Are you two possessed by Isabella? How are you even more gossipy than Isabella?" Ava said helplessly, holding her forehead.
"From Mommy's voice, it sounds like you're in a good mood today. There's even a hint of a smile."
Ava stopped smiling, "Is there?"
"Yes, yes!" The two kids were like detectives, not missing any detail. After a round of questioning, Ava finally gave in.
"Alright, I'll be back a bit late tonight. I need to go to the Thomas Villa to treat Mr. Thomas. You two need to stay home and be good. Sabrina will make you dinner."
"Okay, Mommy, be careful. We'll wait for you to come home."
Ava smiled gently, "Okay."
"Bye, Mommy."
Ava walked downstairs holding her phone when a smug voice came from behind, "Ava."
Ava's smooth brow furrowed slightly, but she didn't stop walking. The person behind her followed along beside her anyway, sneering, "You still won't admit defeat?"
"You really take being a pest to the extreme," Ava said flatly.
"In less than a month, you'll have to get out of the hospital. We won't see each other after that, so naturally I want to come see you more. Ava, if I were you, I'd admit defeat early. Otherwise, when you don't get a single vote at the end, I'll be embarrassed for you."
Mia laughed triumphantly, as if she could already see Ava losing and leaving the hospital in disgrace, while she herself would be the winner, with the director position destined to be hers.
Ava sneered without saying a word.
"Just wait, Ava. This time I'll make sure you're so humiliated you won't even be able to stay in the medical field."
"Fine, I'll wait." Ava didn't want to waste time with Mia and didn't want to say another word. She quickly walked out.
Outside, a light drizzle had started at some point. After all, it was late autumn now. A chill hit her. Ava wasn't wearing much and shrugged her shoulders slightly. She looked into the distance and saw a tall, upright figure in the misty rain.
The man had refined features and a distinguished appearance. He stood there holding a black umbrella, exuding an air of nobility and an invisible but powerful presence.
He walked slowly toward her with the umbrella and stopped in front of her, raising his hand to tilt the umbrella toward her.
Joshua's strong presence enveloped Ava. She came back to her senses and looked up at the tall man before her.
"Have you been waiting long?" A deep, magnetic voice sounded softly in her ear.
Ava shook her head gently, "I just came down. Actually, if you're busy, you don't need to come. I can go by myself."
As soon as Ava finished speaking, that persistent voice from behind suddenly rang out, "Joshua."
Mia walked over with a smile on her face, naturally moving to Joshua's side. She could even completely ignore Ava's presence as she calmly and gently took Joshua's arm.
But no matter how calm she tried to appear, Ava still noticed the forced smile and the panic she couldn't suppress.
As if she was afraid that if she came even a second later, Joshua would be taken away by Ava.
"Joshua, how did you know I was being discharged today? You even came specially to pick me up. Thank you. By the way, I was just planning to visit Grandpa today. Let's go together."