Chapter 12

Melody pursed her lips, not responding to Tiffany. She knew that Jeremy wasn't standing up for her. He was merely showing the care a doctor would show a patient. There was no denying that Jeremy was a great doctor. He was always logical and would always honor his duty as a doctor, treating each patient with the utmost diligence and care. However, these would never amount to a special kind of care for Melody. Melody turned to look in the direction where Krystal was cutting her cake and handing them out. Krystal largely resembled Cheryl, but she didn't smile much. She remained expressionless even while slicing the cake. She seemed like she wasn't cutting cake but holding a scalpel instead. Jeremy was sitting on the other side and looking over some papers with Harold, likely discussing a case. Krystal carried a plate over and placed it in front of him. "Thank you for carrying the stuff for me today." Jeremy looked up. "You're welcome. Andrew and Laura asked me to watch out for you." "They're such busybodies." Jeremy didn't respond and turned his attention back to the medical records in front of him. Harold had brought it over earlier—a patient's previous treatment records. Krystal turned her attention to it and asked casually, "What's this?" "A patient who was just admitted with a skull fracture and a meningioma. There's other complications too, so it's a rather complex case." Krystal paused, but she soon joined them in studying the case. Harold studied the file alongside them for a while before he was called away. As he was about to leave, he heard Jeremy and Krystal debating whether the patient was suited for a more conservative treatment approach. Shaking his head, he said helplessly, "We're having a get-together right now. If the two of you want to argue about this, you can continue doing so in the meeting tomorrow." Neither Jeremy nor Krystal raised their heads when they simultaneously blurted, "I'll keep looking through this." Harold had nothing to say and could only walk away. However, the moment he turned around, he caught sight of Melody and Tiffany sitting in the corner. Melody's gaze was coincidentally fixed on Jeremy and Krystal. Harold was the most socially adept in the department. Right then, he recalled the vague information he had heard about Melody and Krystal. He picked up a plate of sliced fruit and headed toward them. "Are you ladies thinking about dieting so you're not touching the cake? In that case, have some fruits. They're fresh and delicious." "Thank you, Dr. Franklin," Melody said softly. Harold raised an eyebrow. "Why're you being so polite? We're all colleagues. Oh, right. You should tell Jeremy to ease up on being so dedicated to his work so he doesn't drag people into discussing cases at a get-together." There was a helpless expression on his face, and he tutted when he turned back to look at Jeremy. "See? He isn't satisfied with only dragging Dr. Finnigan into his discussion. Now he's got Caleb and Seth involved, too." Melody followed his gaze. She indeed found more doctors crowded around Jeremy, looking as if they were having a meeting. She blinked, and her clenched fingers finally relaxed. When Harold left, Tiffany leaned in and whispered, "So Dr. Chesson and Dr. Finnigan were discussing a case. I was wondering why Dr. Chesson suddenly had a change of character and was chatting away so happily with Dr. Finnigan." Melody hummed lowly in response. The gathering didn't last for too long as there were people who were still on shift. Melody had been on the day shift and could head home straight away. Tiffany stared at the sky and sighed. "When is this rainy season going to stop? It looks like it's going to rain again soon. How are you getting home, Melody?" Melody didn't get a chance to respond before Harold walked over and said, "Ms. Wardolf is leaving with Jeremy, of course. He's not on shift later either." Melody glanced over at Jeremy, but he was in a conversation with Krystal. Hearing Harold's comment, he looked over. "I'm not going with her." Harold was taken aback. "What?" Krystal flipped through the medical record in her hands, giving Melody a quick glance. "Dr. Chesson and I want to continue discussing this case. We're planning to go back to the office." "Is that okay with you, Ms. Wardolf?" she asked flippantly.