Jake hadn’t yet recovered from his shock. “Sophia, you and Boss Livinus are…”
Livinus’s lips curled into a cold, ambiguous smile. “Director Jake, what do you think our relationship is?”
—
Jake was momentarily stunned, feeling quite awkward. He had already investigated Sophia, knowing that she was previously married to Livinus’s nephew. Hearing about her estranged relationship with the Scott Family, he had acted without reservation, assuming she was cast out. But now, seeing Livinus personally bring Sophia to dinner, he couldn’t figure it out. Was Livinus here to support Sophia on behalf of the Scott Family, or was there some clandestine relationship between the two? Either way, it was clear he had already offended Livinus, making this dinner a veritable feast of foreboding.
To be fair, when he had promised the house, he had meant it sincerely. But once the child was cured, he genuinely didn’t want to follow through.
Human nature is such: who would willingly give away millions’ worth of property for free?
The purpose of this dinner was obvious.
Jake couldn’t help but wipe his forehead and let out a forced laugh. “How would I know what kind of relationship Boss Livinus and Dr. Smith have?”
“Dr. Smith?” Mr Jax, seated nearby, asked with curiosity. “You mean Miss Smith is a doctor?”
Sophia smiled politely. “I study traditional medicine. I haven’t graduated yet.”
“Oh? What year are you in?”
“My fifth year.”
“Fifth year? Then you must be doing your internship, right? Director Jake is the head of the Traditional Medicine Hospital. Livinus, with such a connection, arranging for Miss Smith to intern there shouldn’t be difficult. Why didn’t you mention it earlier?” Mr Jax remarked.
Livinus’s lips curved slightly. “Director Jake is a busy man. I didn’t want to disturb him.”
“Busy or not, Director Jake surely wouldn’t neglect your affairs,” someone quipped, eliciting laughter from the table.
The atmosphere grew lively, with everyone laughing. Livinus’s smile betrayed none of his thoughts. “True, but Dr. Smith’s skills are exceptional. She doesn’t need backdoor arrangements; hospitals are already vying to have her. Director Jake can attest to that better than I can.”
“What do you mean?” The executives feigned interest, clearly intrigued by the claim.
Livinus sipped his tea, remaining silent.
His silence naturally drew everyone’s attention to Jake, who cursed inwardly. This sly fox was deliberately putting him on the spot, forcing him to explain.
Jake let out a hollow laugh. “Dr. Smith interned at my hospital before and treated my grandson’s polio.”
“Polio?” The others were taken aback. “Why didn’t you mention this earlier? We should visit your grandson!”
“I didn’t want to trouble anyone.”
“It was Dr. Smith who cured him?”
Jake forced another laugh. “Yes, Dr. Smith cured him.”
His reluctant admission made the group reevaluate Sophia. If even a hospital director sought her help, her medical skills must be exceptional. And if she had used traditional medicine to treat polio, that was even more remarkable. Talented young modern doctors were not uncommon, but exceptional young practitioners of traditional medicine were as rare as a phoenix’s feather.
Looking at Sophia’s youth, they couldn’t help but be impressed.
“Dr. Smith, you’re truly remarkable! Such a young age and already so accomplished!” someone exclaimed. “Director Jake, why didn’t you introduce such a skilled doctor to us earlier?”
Their compliments were genuine. Aging, particularly for the wealthy, made them increasingly wary of death. Recently, it has become fashionable among the elite to travel abroad for stem cell injections, costing millions. If they could find a reliable traditional medicine practitioner to help maintain their health, the benefits would be self-evident.
Jake’s smile grew more forced. “I didn’t know you all were in need.”
Soon, the dishes were served, and the table buzzed with warm laughter and chatter. After a round of drinks, Livinus leaned close to Sophia and whispered, “Raise a toast to Director Jake, but substitute tea for wine.”
Sophia held up her cup and stood, but before she could speak, Jake quickly got to his feet and laughed awkwardly. “No need for such formality!”
He downed his glass in one go before Sophia could say a word.
Sophia blinked and sipped her water, feeling baffled.
Jake had been so arrogant before, but now he was groveling in front of Livinus. How amusing.
Being with someone powerful gave Sophia a firsthand experience of the influence they wielded.
—
By the time they returned, it was nearly 10 p.m.
