Josh’s eyebrows twitched slightly at Kylee’s words. Her claims about Jessica barely scraping through exams and lacking a medical license were absurd and completely untrue.
It was clear to Josh that Kylee knew little about her younger sister.
Amid the rising murmurs of doubt and gossip among the doctors, Josh felt a wave of frustration. The situation was partly due to Jessica’s own decision to downplay her achievements. She didn’t want the staff to know she was the renowned medical talent known as Star or that Caiden Rodgers had personally recruited her from Chixdon Hospital, a prestigious institution.
Josh cleared his throat, silencing the whispers. “Dr. Wright’s circumstances are rather unique. Mr. Rodgers arranged a tailored exam for her, which she successfully passed. This arrangement was approved by the director, and she is now officially part of our team.”
After a pause, he added, “Naturally, acquiring a medical license is a standard requirement.”
The room fell silent, though the tension in the air was palpable.
Despite Josh’s explanation, the doctors couldn’t help but suspect nepotism.
________________________________________
A Sibling’s Exchange
After Josh left, the office slowly returned to its usual rhythm.
Kylee, trying to mask her simmering envy, approached Jessica with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Jessica, why didn’t you tell me about your new role here? I was offering you an assistant’s position, completely unaware you’d already secured something so significant. It made me look foolish.”
Her tone carried subtle resentment, a mix of disbelief and blame.
Jessica responded with a gentle smile. “I thought it would be a pleasant surprise, Kylee. Isn’t it wonderful news? Aren’t you happy for me?”
Kylee’s smile froze momentarily before she forced a nod. “Of course, I’m happy for you, Jessica. I just… I wasn’t expecting it. Securing a role like this at Grand Plains General Hospital is no small feat. You must have really impressed the deputy director to arrange a special exam just for you. That’s quite an achievement—it’s never been done before!”
Though her words seemed complimentary, her implication was clear: Jessica must have leveraged her connections to secure the position.
Jessica, unfazed, kept her tone light. “Yes, I’ve built a good relationship with Mr. Rodgers. He even mentioned that you and Dad often visited his home seeking special concessions during your exams. He asked me to pass along a message: if it happens again, he’ll have no choice but to consider your dismissal from Grand Plains General Hospital.”
The air in the room grew heavy as the weight of Jessica’s words sank in.
Kylee’s smile faltered, and a flicker of panic crossed her face. Her colleagues, who had always believed in her meritocratic values and disdain for favoritism, now began to reassess her.
The realization of Kylee’s hypocrisy spread through the room like wildfire.
Jessica’s statement had exposed Kylee’s carefully curated facade. Heat rose to Kylee’s cheeks as she struggled to process the shock of being publicly called out.
Before Kylee could respond, Jessica spoke calmly, “I need to change.” She stood and left the room, heading for the locker area.
________________________________________
A Cold Atmosphere
For the remainder of the morning, nearly everyone avoided interacting with Jessica. Even Darlene Mitchell, her assigned mentor, maintained a noticeable distance.
But Jessica remained unaffected. She focused on her tasks, ignoring the tension around her.
________________________________________
An Unexpected Lunch
By noon, Jessica received a call from Jonathan inviting her to lunch. With a long lunch break ahead, she agreed and made her way to the restaurant.
When she opened the door to the private dining room, she froze at the sight of Ethan lounging casually on the couch.
Her phone buzzed in her hand—Jonathan calling.
“Jonathan?” she answered.
“Jessica, something urgent came up, and I won’t be able to make it to lunch. You and Ethan will have to manage without me,” Jonathan said, his voice matter-of-fact.
Jessica sighed softly, feeling a touch of resignation. “Alright,” she replied before ending the call.
Stepping fully into the room, she addressed Ethan. “Jonathan is caught up and won’t be joining us. He asked us to have lunch without him.”
Ethan didn’t appear surprised. He rose and joined her at the table.
As they settled in, he looked at her with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes. “He’s really gone out of his way to make us spend time together.”
Jessica glanced at him, her expression calm. “It seems so.”
Ethan’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he looked away, the atmosphere between them thick with unspoken words.