Chapter 190 What Did You Take a Fancy to?
No matter how thick-skinned Sophia was, she couldn't remain unmoved by Daniel's words.
Her face turned red then purple, but she didn't dare lose her temper and curse at Daniel in this setting.
After all, she hadn't forgotten that tonight's focus was Michael's old illness.
No matter how much Daniel humiliated her, she had to endure it!
Sophia forced a smile and said stiffly, "That's absolutely not true! I certainly wouldn't dare deceive Mr. McCoy. It's just that Olivia is no longer with the Johnson Group, so I didn't mention her.
After all, before she left the Johnson Group, she had already planned her new path with Mr. Wilson..."
At this point, Sophia quickly covered her mouth, as if she'd accidentally let something slip, then tried to cover it up, saying, "Ah... what I mean is, she's so successful now that if I brought her up, people might think I was trying to ride on her coattails, so I didn't mention her."
Her behavior was quite affected, but no one paid attention because everyone's focus was on what Sophia had left unsaid.
Immediately, the guests turned to look at Olivia, who had remained silent the whole time, their eyes now carrying a deeper meaning.
Some curious people started whispering to those around them.
"What did Sophia mean by that?"
"Could there be more to this story between them?"
"If I remember correctly, the news rumors were all about Michael abandoning his wife and daughter for another woman. Now Sophia's words suggest Olivia had an affair with Daniel first, and that's why they divorced?"
"So Michael, who was called a scumbag, was actually betrayed by his wife first?"
Many people felt they'd stumbled onto some juicy gossip.
Olivia was disgusted on the spot.
She really hadn't expected that even now, Sophia would still try to throw dirt on her.
And this woman clearly had bad intentions, deliberately saying this in front of Rodolfo.
If she and Rodolfo weren't teacher and student, this might have actually succeeded in driving a wedge between them.
But Sophia's intentions didn't stop there.
She turned to Rodolfo and said, "Mr. McCoy, online news is a mix of truth and lies. Some things get exaggerated as they spread.
I think you must know something about us.
We've been completely sincere in wanting to meet you, never once being dishonest!
I believe someone as perceptive as you can judge the outside rumors for yourself."
Michael also spoke up, "The Johnson Group has been in the pharmaceutical business for too short a time. Many processes aren't mature yet, and our people make mistakes sometimes.
But the Johnson Group has always corrected and compensated promptly. We did have a working relationship with Dr. Smith before, that's true, but after Dr. Smith found better opportunities, we formally ended our cooperation.
She did contribute to the system, so we shouldn't have mentioned it. From now on, the Johnson Group will remember not to say another word about it!"
As he said this, Michael's eyes swept coldly over Olivia.
As if all the things Daniel had just said were Olivia's fault.
Olivia pressed her lips together and said nothing, her expression showing no reaction to Sophia or Michael's actions.
In her eyes, these people from her past could do whatever they wanted—it no longer stirred any feelings in her.
However, just because she didn't react didn't mean Rodolfo could stand it.
Rodolfo's anger came unexpectedly fierce.
He said impatiently, "Enough. If there's nothing else, everyone disperse. Don't crowd around here. I have no interest in your grudges!"
He looked coldly at Michael and Sophia, his tone very blunt: "I know why you're looking for me, but I no longer take patients. Unless absolutely necessary, I don't plan to treat anyone.
All my skills, including everything from the Medica Vitae Sect, I've passed to my only student. You're wasting your time with me!"
"What?"
Sophia thought she'd misheard.
Looking at Rodolfo's impatient expression, she seemed stunned.
Michael was also taken aback.
He hadn't expected Rodolfo to refuse so directly in front of so many people.
How could this be?
Sophia immediately panicked, "Mr. McCoy, you're still so healthy and strong, how can you stop seeing patients? Please take one more case! We really need this opportunity..."
Rodolfo said impatiently, "I think I've made myself clear enough. Are you trying to force an old man?"
Sophia certainly couldn't bear that accusation, but still wanted to plead more.
However, before she could speak, Michael stopped her.
Michael wasn't as impulsive as Sophia. From Rodolfo's attitude, he could already tell the man's mind was made up, and nothing they said would change it.
So he asked calmly, "Mr. McCoy, we understand what you mean. We're just wondering if your student is here tonight?
If it's convenient, could you introduce us?"
His expression was sincere, his attitude very good.
Faced with such a Michael, most people wouldn't refuse him.
But unfortunately, Michael and Sophia had already burned their bridges.
A smile appeared on Rodolfo's face, but somehow this smile gave Michael a bad feeling.
Rodolfo finally spoke, "She is here, but an introduction isn't necessary. Mr. Johnson, you probably wouldn't think much of her medical skills."
"How could that be?"
Michael quickly said, "If she's inherited all your skills, her medical abilities must be quite impressive."
The guests present, hearing Rodolfo's words, all became excited.
"Rodolfo's student really came tonight?"
"I wonder which one here it is? Could it be one of those big shots at the main table?"
"Doesn't seem like it, since those people are all about the same age as Rodolfo..."
Some people were also discussing Michael.
"They're so persistent in seeking Rodolfo's treatment—what illness needs treating?"
"Have you forgotten? Mr. Johnson's legs were disabled many years ago. Apparently he still has lingering problems that flare up from time to time. That's probably why."
"So it's for that..."
"But why would Rodolfo say Mr. Johnson wouldn't think much of his student's medical skills?
If even his final and most important disciple's skills aren't good enough, who here would be?"
Sophia had also calmed down again and said a bunch of flattering things to Rodolfo, "You're joking. Your student's abilities must be close to yours. We'd certainly be satisfied.
If you don't have the energy, having your student treat him would be fine too. We're not picky!"
Rodolfo's expression completely darkened.
Probably disgusted by their shameless attitude.
Of all the people present, only Olivia could tell that Rodolfo was very angry right now.
Ultimately, all this was because of her.
If she had listened to Rodolfo back then and not married Michael, there wouldn't be all this mess now.
And he wouldn't still be getting angry about it.
Olivia couldn't bear it.
She had no more patience and just wanted to quickly end this farce so she could catch up with Rodolfo.
Olivia stepped forward and looked coldly at Sophia, "You're not picky, but his student is. Can't you understand plain language? He's already clearly refused you, and you're still making a scene here? Can you just shut up!"
Being scolded by Olivia in public, Sophia's expression wasn't good either.
With other people, she still needed to hold back.
But with Olivia, why should she hold back?
Sophia also shot back, "Olivia, is this any of your business? We're asking Mr. McCoy, what does it have to do with you?
Come to think of it, you should take responsibility for this!
If you hadn't been careless back then and deliberately failed to cure Michael's legs, would he have been tormented by this old ailment all these years?"
Hearing this, Olivia's expression looked incredulous.
She looked at Michael beside her and asked him directly, "Did you... tell her that?"
Back then, she had spent so much effort treating his legs, years of care, never once leaving it to anyone else.
Now it was reduced to being careless, deliberately not curing him...
Michael replied coolly, "I didn't say that, but whether you put your heart into it, you should know yourself."
Wasn't that the same as what Sophia said?
Sophia continued, "Olivia, back then you deliberately used treatment as an excuse to get close to Michael and develop feelings with him, just to marry into the Johnson family.
You even used this to manipulate Mrs. Emily Johnson into arranging your marriage, dragging it out for so many years and causing him to miss the best treatment window!
Now we've finally managed to meet Mr. McCoy, and you're still blocking us. How can you be so vicious!
In front of Mr. McCoy, how dare someone with such poor medical ethics speak up?"
With this accusation, the crowd's view of Olivia immediately changed.
"When President He married into the Johnson family, was there really such a backstory?"
"If that's true, then her scheming really was deeper than imagined..."
Olivia couldn't hear the others' discussions.
But Sophia and their words almost made Olivia laugh.
She thought that having her sincere heart trampled before the divorce was thorough enough.
She hadn't expected that even this could be used as a weapon against her.
Olivia looked at Michael with eyes that were cold, cold as if frozen in ice.
If she'd known it would come to this, she would have been better off saving a stray dog than saving the person in front of her!
Just then, Rodolfo suddenly spoke with sarcasm, "Four years, nearly five years—is this what you wanted to prove to me?"
He questioned her angrily, "Look at what you got in return—a terminated cooperation, outrageous slander, and they won't even acknowledge your sincerity!"
By the end, he was trembling with rage.
"I've cherished you since you were little, and you went out there to be bullied like this? This is what you held onto and wanted?
What kind of trash did you fall for?"