This house was nothing to her.
She had never even given it much thought, but today, Jake’s words thoroughly disgusted her.
With a cold smirk, Sophia said, “Director Jake, you’re a person of status. You should have some decency! Don’t play these petty games with me. To put it bluntly, I’m not one of your hospital interns you can boss around!”
Jake had a terrible reputation. During Sophia’s internship, she overheard nurses talking about being harassed by him, and there were even rumors of interns being assaulted by him but too scared to report it because of his authority.
It was just a hospital, yet Jake acted as if it were the entertainment industry, wielding his little bit of power to do all sorts of unsavory things.
“Heh! In the end, it’s all about greed! For a little money, you and your mentor are willing to throw away your dignity?” Jake sneered.
Professor Michael, his face red with anger, moved to hit Jake but was held back by Sophia.
“Forget it, Professor Micheal. Someone like him isn’t worth it,” Sophia said calmly.
There were plenty of ways to deal with someone like Jake. She could even use medicine on Kelvin to make him regret it for the rest of his life. But would Sophia stoop to that level?
Just because Jake was shameless didn’t mean she had to be.
“Did you see that?” Professor Michael muttered angrily as they walked away.
Sophia chuckled. “Let it go. He’ll come begging for help eventually.”
Behind them, Jake spat as he watched them leave.
He had already heard that Sophia was divorced and no longer under the Scott Family’s protection. What could a little orphan girl like her possibly accomplish?
She wanted to swindle a house from him? Dream on!
That house was worth five or six million Dollars. There was no way he’d give it to her for free.
When Jake got home and told his wife about the incident, she nodded approvingly. “You did the right thing! She doesn’t deserve to benefit from us!”
Meanwhile, Jake’s son and daughter-in-law hesitated. They felt their parents’ actions were unfair but didn’t have the authority to intervene.
—
At the same time, overseas, Livinus listened to Joanna’s report in silence.
“Jake?”
“Yes, the director of the Traditional Medicine Hospital. Scott Corporation supplies medical equipment to his hospital, and he’s received plenty of perks from us over the years.”
Livinus gazed out at the city’s towering skyscrapers, his expression unreadable.
He remembered Jake clearly, and this behavior was entirely consistent with his character.
Since the matter had reached Joanna’s ears, it was evident the incident had already spread through the hospital.
“Is my flight booked?”
Joanna smiled. “Yes, you should be home by tomorrow morning.”
Livinus responded with a soft hum, his deep eyes filled with unfathomable emotions.
—
The next day, after a busy day at work, Sophia was about to close the clinic when she saw a tall figure standing at the door, drawing the attention of those still in line.
It was Livinus.
She walked over, and Tobias whistled, teasing, “Dr. Smith, is that your boyfriend?”
Livinus smirked. “Good eyes, sir.”
“Of course! I can spot a perfect match a mile away—you two even look like a married couple!”
To everyone’s surprise, Livinus pulled out a pack of expensive cigarettes and handed them to the old man. “A little gift for you.”
The old man whistled again. “Wow, these are pricey! A few hundred dollars a pack, right?”
Sophia chuckled awkwardly, feeling a bit self-conscious under everyone’s gaze. She quickly led Livinus aside.
“Join me for a dinner meeting.”
“A dinner meeting? I don’t…”
But Livinus cut her off. “What’s there to be afraid of? You’re the woman I, Livinus, have chosen. You should stand proudly in the sunlight, accepting everyone’s admiration, not hide in the shadows.”
“…” Wait a minute! Since when was she “the woman he chose”? Had she agreed to this?
“Boss Livinus, I think we need to have a serious talk, especially about…”
“There’ll be plenty of time for that later. For now, just come with me.”
“…”
This overbearing man didn’t even give her a chance to speak!
Noticing the luggage in his car, Sophia asked, “Did you just return from abroad?”
“Yes.”
Perhaps it was this answer that softened her. Sophia quietly fastened her seatbelt, and fifteen minutes later, they arrived at a hotel. It was the same lakeside pavilion as before.
When they entered, everyone inside stood up to greet Livinus, warmly including Sophia in their conversations. Only one man sitting in the corner was drenched in cold sweat.
“Sophia, let me introduce you. This is Director Jake,” Livinus said in a deep voice. “Go ahead and say hello.”
Sophia’s tone was indifferent. “Director Jake.”
