Chapter 1739

Dr. Kerr was quickly taken into custody for investigation, and the truth emerged not long after. What happened to the girl was no accident.
He had secretly swapped the liver source.
The originally matched donor liver had been replaced, leading to the rejection that ultimately cost the patient her life. Following the revelation, the hospital paid a substantial settlement for Dr. Kerr’s actions, though no amount of money could ease the pain of the grieving family. A life lost was irreplaceable.
For Karina and Wilfred, the outcome was bittersweet. They felt the sorrow of the situation but could do little more than reflect on it.
After Wilfred’s name was cleared, he followed through on his promise to Karina. He assigned her to an important research project, one of the hospital’s most significant undertakings.
The decision was met with resistance.
Many colleagues believed Karina was too young and inexperienced for the role. But Wilfred stood firm, defending her. “I chose her. If there’s a problem, I’ll take responsibility. Besides, she’s here to assist me.” His authority was final. Wilfred didn’t need anyone’s approval to back his decisions.
With his support, Karina joined the project and quickly began absorbing a wealth of professional knowledge. Her skills grew rapidly, and her gratitude toward Wilfred was beyond words.
*
“Dr. Wilfred, do you have a moment?” Karina hesitated briefly before knocking on his office door.
“Come in,” Wilfred said, his voice as composed as ever.
When Karina stepped inside, he glanced up, immediately noting a change in her demeanor. There was a new confidence in her posture and gaze an assurance that hadn’t been there before.
She had always been competent, but she had often doubted herself, as though her efforts were insignificant. Now, every gesture radiated a calm self-assurance that Wilfred couldn’t help but notice.
A flicker of approval passed through his eyes, though his tone remained neutral. “What is it? Speak your mind.”
Karina hesitated briefly before gathering her courage. “Dr. Wilfred, you’ve helped me so much. I’d like to take you out for dinner as a thank-you. Would that be alright?”
Wilfred’s brows furrowed slightly,
and his initial instinct was to decline. Since starting his career at the hospital, countless people had made similar-invitations-both subtle and direct. He had turned down every single one, uninterested in romantic entanglements or lifelong
companionship.
It was also because there was someone still lingering in his heart.
But Karina’s eyes were clear, devoid of ulterior motives, making him pause before responding.
As her gaze faltered, she lowered her head to conceal the disappointment creeping into her expression. “If it’s inconvenient, please forget I said anything. I didn’t mean to intrude.” Wilfred surprised even himself when he replied, “Alright.”
Karina’s head shot up, her eyes shining with an almost blinding joy. The intensity of it was so striking that, for a moment, Wilfred felt the urge to look away. Too much brightness could sting.
As doubt crept into his mind about whether accepting her invitation was the right choice, Karina pulled herself back. “Thank you, Dr. Wilfred. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
After she left, Wilfred sat in silence, his fingers rhythmically tapping the desk, mirroring the disarray of his thoughts.
*
Meanwhile, Karina, brimming with anticipation, spent far too long trying on outfit after outfit. She couldn’t quite explain the happiness welling up inside her. She attributed it to gratitude toward Wilfred, unwilling to explore what it might truly mean.
Her happiness was abruptly shattered when her phone rang.
The moment she answered, a familiar voice erupted with angry accusations. “Karina! You’ve really grown bold, huh? Ignoring me like this? Do you think you can just walk away? If you don’t want to deal with me’ll make sure everyone online knows what you’ve done!
The fluttering excitement in Karina’s chest died instantly, replaced by a crushing weight that made it hard to breathe. “Kieran, what do you want this time?”
It was Kieran.