Chapter 170
Catherine hurried from Tomas's office as the elevator doors began to close.
"Hold the door, please!" she called.
Someone inside pressed the button, keeping the doors open for her. Catherine hurried in, grateful for the courtesy.
She looked up with a smile, ready to thank the considerate person, and saw Emma.
Emma was dressed in a light blue tailored suit, clutching a document folder in her manicured hands.
Catherine's smile froze on her face. Emma's presence at Silver Lake Hospital was unexpected, to say the least.
"Hello," Emma said coolly, taking the initiative as Catherine stood momentarily stunned.
Catherine recovered quickly, forcing her expression into something resembling polite professionalism.
"Hello."
Their relationship had been marked by several uncomfortable confrontations. Catherine would have preferred to avoid any interaction whatsoever. Given their adversarial history, pleasantries seemed pointless—unless Emma was deliberately looking for trouble.
"Aren't you curious why I'm here?" Emma stepped closer, standing shoulder to shoulder with Catherine.
Catherine knew Emma was baiting her. She glanced sideways at the elegant woman beside her and replied with practiced indifference, "This is a hospital. Anyone can visit. I'm not particularly curious."
Emma let out a derisive snort, her gaze falling to Catherine's ID badge: [Surgical Resident: Catherine.]
"Starting tomorrow, I'll be the Head of Psychiatry at Silver Lake Hospital," Emma announced with undisguised arrogance. "From now on, you'll have to address me as Dr. Kate with the respect I deserve."
Catherine stared at Emma in disbelief. "Emma, don't you think you're being a bit ridiculous?"
Emma's expression hardened. "What did you say?"
Catherine sighed and shook her head.
"You lost to me in love, so now you're trying to dominate me professionally. That's rather childish, don't you think?"
The elevator doors opened at the surgical floor. Catherine moved to exit, but Emma suddenly grabbed her arm.
"What are you doing?" Catherine reacted immediately, trying to pull away.
Emma hadn't anticipated such a strong reaction and quickly released her, pressing the door close button instead.
"Emma! What's wrong with you?"
"I don't have time for your games!"
Emma's face contorted with rage, her eyes filled with hatred.
"Catherine, just wait. Your good days are numbered!"
She clearly intended to make Catherine's life miserable for as long as she remained at Silver Lake Hospital.
Catherine couldn't help but think that Emma seemed more dangerous after her divorce, radiating a venomous aura of malice.
But wasn't Emma directing her hatred at the wrong person? Philip was the one who broke up with her, and as for marrying the wrong man afterward—wasn't that Emma's own choice?
"Whatever you say," Catherine replied.
She stepped forward, backing Emma against the elevator handrail.
"Congratulations on becoming Head of Psychiatry, Emma. Unfortunately for your plans, I'll be leaving this hospital soon."
Emma looked shocked. "You're leaving? Why?"
Catherine nodded, her expression shifting from indifference to deliberate provocation.
"I have a very attentive boyfriend," she said with a smug smile. "He spoils me in my personal life and paves the way for my career."
"With better opportunities on the horizon, why would I waste time climbing the ladder as a resident?"
Emma was seething, She looked ready to strangle Catherine for her audacity.
Everything Catherine now possessed should have been hers! How dare this woman flaunt what she'd stolen?
The elevator doors opened again, and before Emma could act, Catherine walked out without looking back.
What rotten luck to be caught up with Emma, of all people.
Emma followed Catherine out of the elevator like a persistent shadow.
"Catherine, are you running away because you're afraid of me?" she called out mockingly.
Catherine stopped and turned to face her. "Say that again."
Emma approached aggressively. "What's wrong? Can't admit it? You're leaving because you're scared of me."
Her eyes gleamed with contempt and triumph, clearly convinced that Catherine was fleeing out of fear.
Catherine let out a cold laugh, meeting Emma's gaze without flinching.
"Afraid? You think too highly of yourself. I'm leaving for better opportunities, unlike you who resort to petty tactics for attention."
Emma's face flushed with anger. She hadn't expected Catherine to respond so boldly.
"Don't pretend. You're not as impressive as you think. You're just using men to get ahead."
Catherine tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a mocking smile.
"Using men? I rely on my own abilities, unlike you who wastes time on pointless feuds. If you're so concerned about your career, perhaps you should focus on improving yourself instead of obsessing over others. Maybe then you wouldn't lose men so easily."
Emma trembled with rage, reaching out to grab Catherine, who smoothly sidestepped her attempt.
"Emma, I suggest you stop this harassment. Next time, I won't be so polite."
Emma glared at Catherine, her eyes filled with resentment and bitterness.
"Don't get too comfortable. Your luck won't last forever."
Catherine straightened her lab coat, responding calmly, "My fortune isn't yours to determine. Be careful you don't end up hurting yourself in this little vendetta of yours."
With that, Catherine turned and walked away, leaving Emma standing there, teeth clenched in fury.
"You're in such a hurry to leave because you're afraid of me, aren't you?" Emma persisted, her voice dripping with challenge.
Catherine crossed her arms over her chest.
"Afraid of you? That's absurd."
Emma scoffed, continuing to goad Catherine. "If you're not afraid, then stay and compete with me professionally."
"I won't," Catherine refused without hesitation. "You're in psychiatry, I'm in surgery. We're in completely different fields. What would we even be competing over?"
Catherine seemed to remember something. "Actually, you are quite accomplished in psychology—a true expert. Are you suggesting we compete in your field? That would be unfair if you won and embarrassing if you lost. What's the point?"
They were now standing in the busy hospital lobby, with staff and visitors passing by.
Emma, less skilled in verbal sparring and unable to resort to physical confrontation in public, could only glare at Catherine in silent fury.
Catherine, tired of the exchange, sidestepped Emma and headed for the stairs to return to her department.
Emma clenched her fists and muttered to herself, "Catherine, enjoy your triumph while it lasts. Without Philip, you're nothing!"
Back in her department, Catherine completed her work and took out her phone to message Philip.
Catherine: [Moving me to the east wing was your doing, wasn't it?]
When she'd been in Tomas's office, she hadn't thought much about the transfer. But after encountering Emma and learning of her appointment as Head of Psychiatry, Catherine suspected Philip's involvement.
He must have known Emma was coming to the west wing and arranged Catherine's transfer accordingly. Was he trying to make room for Emma at Catherine's expense?
Why should she be the one to move, not Emma?
Philip was likely busy and didn't respond immediately.
Catherine set her phone aside and continued with her work.
By the end of her shift, Philip still hadn't replied.
As she shut down her computer and prepared to leave, her phone rang just as she exited the hospital.
Seeing the caller ID, Catherine paused momentarily before answering with a gentle, obedient tone. "Mother."
"Catherine, darling, you haven't been home in ages, not even a phone call," Hazel's voice carried a hint of reproach.
Catherine sighed deliberately, feigning exhaustion. "Mom, I've been swamped with clinical work. When I get home, I still have research papers to write. I simply haven't had a moment to spare."
"Have you lost weight?" Hazel asked with concern.
Catherine reassured her, "How could I? I learned all your cooking secrets, Mom. I prepare meals for myself every day and take excellent care of myself."
Hazel sounded pleased. "That's my good girl."
Before she could finish, the phone was taken from her, and a deep, weathered male voice came through. "Catherine."
Catherine offered a genuine smile. "Dad."
Ernest took the phone into another room and locked the door. "I hope I'm not disturbing you?"
Catherine shook her head instinctively. "Mr. Levin, you and Mrs. Levin checking on me could never be a disturbance."
Ernest chuckled. "That's right. Hazel and I just want to know if you're adjusting well to life in Brightonfield."
Catherine lowered her eyes. "Mr. Levin, I'm doing fine here. There's nothing I haven't adjusted to."
Of course she was adjusted—Brightonfield had been her hometown before everything changed.
Ernest seemed relieved. "As long as you're doing well."
Catherine remembered Hazel's health condition and asked with genuine concern, "Mr. Levin, how are you and Mrs. Levin doing lately? Has her condition improved?"
Ernest's voice grew troubled. "Since you left for Brightonfield, she's had some relapses. Sometimes she remembers our deceased daughter, and her mental state deteriorates."
Catherine felt a knot of worry form in her chest. She truly cared for Hazel's wellbeing. "Mr. Levin, I'll call Mrs. Levin every other day from now on, so she knows 'Catherine' is still doing well."
Ernest hesitated. "Won't that be too much trouble? You're busy with your medical career."
Catherine responded earnestly, "Mr. Levin, you saved my life. No matter how busy I am, I'll always take care of you and Mrs. Levin."