Chapter 29 She Was Tricked
The next day.
Director's office at Harmony Health Center.
The director leaned back in his leather chair, rubbing his hands together in front of his chest, his brow furrowed.
Standing before him were the deputy director and Wesley.
"So you're saying this Mr. Weaver wants one of our female doctors to 'keep him company'?" The director's tone was clearly disgusted.
The deputy director said, "From what he implied, yes."
Wesley, trying to take credit, said tentatively, "How about... we just send Dr. Spencer? It's just meeting him and saying a few nice things. Should be no problem."
The director glanced at Wesley with disdain. "You're a man too. Don't you understand? Is this really just about saying a few nice things?"
Wesley felt awkward. "Then what do we do? If Matilda doesn't go, we probably won't get the equipment."
The director was silent for a while before saying slowly, "We'll find another way. The equipment is important, but we absolutely cannot use our female doctors as bargaining chips. Hospitals are for saving lives, not for achieving goals by any means necessary."
The deputy director nodded in agreement.
For equipment, he could drink with clients, spend his own money, say all the nice words needed, but sacrificing others was something he would never do.
The deputy director and Wesley left the office looking dejected.
However, their entire conversation had been overheard by Adalyn outside.
Adalyn was the director's daughter. She had originally come to bring lunch.
Hearing this, she was fuming inside.
She was angry for two reasons:
First, Matilda's influence was way too big, wasn't it? She'd actually become the key person for whether they could buy the equipment. How did the equipment company's manager take a liking to Matilda? Why didn't he notice her?
Of course, even if he had, she wouldn't go "keep him company."
Second, her father's protection of Matilda was just too much. He rejected it outright without even asking.
You should know, Reuben had been talking to her about this equipment recently, saying if the surgery department got it, their performance bonuses could double, and in a couple years they could get a Range Rover.
After thinking for a moment, Adalyn suddenly had an idea.
......
At noon, in the hospital cafeteria.
Adalyn deliberately sat down next to the deputy director.
"Mr. Parker, I heard you went to negotiate about the equipment yesterday. How did it go?"
Deputy director Julius Parker smiled. "Your Ben sent you to ask, didn't he?"
Adalyn pretended to sigh. "You got it. He's in surgery, and lately he's been talking about that equipment even in his sleep."
Julius shook his head. "Tell him to prepare himself mentally. The equipment's not happening."
"Why not?"
"Our hospital doesn't qualify."
Adalyn pressed on. "Mr. Parker, did you really try? Did you talk in detail with their contact person?"
"I did." Julius unconsciously touched his stomach.
Last night he drank until his stomach hurt at a nightclub in Phoenix City. This morning he only had oatmeal, when normally he'd have two fried eggs and sausages for breakfast.
"Mr. Parker, why don't you send me that manager's contact info? Let me try?"
Julius smiled and shook his head. "If I couldn't do it, how would you be able to?"
"Let me try. What if I succeed?" Adalyn said coquettishly, pulling on his arm.
Julius couldn't resist and sent her Ray's contact information, reminding her, "That guy's a pervert. Don't fall for his tricks."
Adalyn smiled. "Don't worry, I know how to handle men."
She immediately sent a friend request: [I'm from Harmony Health Center. I heard you want to meet Dr. Spencer?]
Ray quickly accepted and replied: [Are you Dr. Spencer?]
[I'm her colleague, but I can arrange for you to meet her. When are you free?]
[I'm always free to meet beautiful women.]
[Let me arrange it with her, and I'll let you know once it's set.]
......
Adalyn started thinking about how to get Matilda to come out.
She couldn't ask herself - they were enemies, and Matilda wouldn't agree.
Reuben? That wouldn't work either. Matilda had a boyfriend and wouldn't pay attention to him.
What if Wesley asked? Using work as a reason might work.
But would Wesley agree?
After thinking for a long time, Adalyn actually went to find Wesley.
"Dr. Cox, I heard that only Matilda can negotiate for that phototherapy equipment. Is that true?"
Wesley was puzzled. "How do you know?"
"My dad told me. He said Matilda wasn't willing to go."
Wesley smiled. "It's not that she wasn't willing to go. Your dad never asked her to go in the first place."
Adalyn said with fake righteousness, "If I were Matilda, I would definitely go. For the hospital's honor, why not?"
Wesley asked, "Do you know what going there would mean?"
"What do you mean? Isn't it just business negotiations?" Adalyn pretended to be innocent.
Wesley shook his head. "This isn't a joke. Your dad didn't tell you, so I don't need to say either. Go ask your dad."
Adalyn saw that Wesley's attitude was firm and had to leave.
As soon as she walked out, she saw Matilda coming out of the operating room.
Matilda ignored her, but Adalyn called out to her. "Dr. Spencer, there's something I want to tell you."
"What is it?"
"About that phototherapy equipment."
"Me?" Matilda was confused. "What does it have to do with me?"
Adalyn hadn't figured out what to say, but at that moment she suddenly had a plan.
She put on a serious face. "Remember a few days ago, your video was spreading all over Phoenix City? The equipment company's manager saw it too."
"And then?"
"He only saw the one your mother posted and decided you embarrassed Harmony Health Center, so he won't sell us the equipment. Yesterday Dr. Parker and Dr. Cox went to negotiate, and he brought it up again. Because of you, they talked until midnight and still couldn't make a deal."
"Because of me?"
Adalyn said righteously, "If you don't believe me, go ask Dr. Cox. He was there last night too."
With that, she turned and left, but hid around the corner, secretly watching Matilda.
Matilda stood there, hesitating.
She didn't quite believe Adalyn's words, but purchasing equipment was a big deal. If it really was because of her, she would feel terrible.
Harmony Health Center wasn't a big hospital, but when she graduated with her master's degree, she'd interviewed at several hospitals in other states and was rejected for not having connections. Only this place gave her a chance.
After thinking, she walked into Wesley's office.
"Dr. Cox..."
Wesley looked up. "What is it?"
"I heard that the surgery department's phototherapy equipment can't be negotiated because of me?"
Wesley was stunned. "Who told you that?"
Matilda didn't like talking badly about people behind their backs, so she didn't give a name.
Seeing she wouldn't say, Wesley said, "Actually, it's not about you. The director cares about you and doesn't want you to be wronged, so he didn't mention it. If we can't buy the equipment, so be it."
"Afraid I'd be wronged?" Matilda asked.
"Yes, our hospital won't wrong any doctor."
Matilda felt somewhat touched. Actually, if they just explained it clearly face-to-face, the hospital didn't need to give up the purchase out of concern for her dignity.
At that moment, Wesley had a patient coming to check results, so Matilda left.
As soon as she came out, Adalyn appeared again.
She'd actually been eavesdropping outside. Good thing Matilda didn't get to the truth, and Wesley didn't go into detail, so Matilda must have fallen for it.
"Matilda, you asked Dr. Cox, right? I was right, wasn't I?"