Chapter 1758

Wilfred’s eyes softened with a rare hint of amusement, making him seem more approachable than usual. “Just over the past couple of days, I leaked the news about Kieran’s drug use.” Karina immediately understood.
While opinions online varied, one thing remained consistent: zero tolerance for drug abuse. With Kieran now branded as both a liar and a drug user, people naturally wouldn’t believe anything he said. In fact, if she checked the forums, she would probably see people who had insulted her now turning on him instead.
But those online battles didn’t matter to Karina.
What mattered most to her was clearing her name, and somehow, without her even realizing it, someone had restored that for her.
No amount of words could fully express the gratitude and warmth in her heart. So instead, she simply said, “Dr. Wilfred, I won’t let you down.”
From that moment on, Karina buried herself in the project materials. She spent her days and nights studying, and to others, it seemed as if she were possessed.
Even Fiona Adams, a nurse Karina would occasionally chat with, noticed her intensity. Around lunchtime, she glanced at the clock, then at Karina, still focused on her work.
“Hey, stop staring at that stuff. It’s lunchtime already!” Fiona called out.
Karina jumped slightly, looking up in confusion. “Why shouldn’t I keep going?”
“Because it’s lunchtime! Aren’t you going to the cafeteria?”
“You go ahead. I’ll head over once I’m done,” Karina said, already back to jotting down notes, crossing out potential plans, and reworking ideas.
Fiona leaned over to take a peek but couldn’t make sense of the notes.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” she said.
Karina didn’t even look up.
Taking her silence as permission, Fiona continued, “Rumor has it that the director wants you to be part of some big project-the ‘Tree of Life’ plan, right?” Karina’s pen froze mid-stroke.
The *Tree of Life Project*-the official name of the initiative was classified.
Covering the documents instinctively, Karina asked sharply, “How do you know about that?”
Most hospital projects were kept confidential. Nurses and even many doctors weren’t privy to this kind of information.
A wave of suspicion crossed Karina’s mind. Could someone have leaked it on purpose?
She recalled something Wilfred had mentioned offhand that there were people within the project who opposed her being assigned as the lead surgeon and expected her to prove herself. It wasn’t surprising.
Putting herself in their shoes, she could understand their doubts. With so many renowned experts in the field involved, why would Wilfr choose an unknown, untested doctor like her? Anyone would think he had lost his mind.
Karina had already prepared herself for resistance, but she hadn’t expected it to surface in this way. Leaking sensitive information? What were they thinking? Didn’t they realize how damaging that could be to the project’s confidentiality?
Fiona noticed the shift in Karina’s expression and quickly waved her hands in defense. “I only heard it from others. I don’t know who leaked it, so don’t ask me.” Karina took a deep breath, set down her pen, and said, “Go on.”
From Fiona, Karina learned the details of the gossip.
Most of the chatter revolved around
the belief that she wasn’t qualified for the role. People claimed her
abilities didn’t match the fo
such a high-profile, classified
project. How could someone with no notable achievements be entrusted
as the lead surgeon?
“Now they’re saying you and the director must have some kind of shady relationship,” Fiona added with a shrug. “They’ve even started spinning stories that he has a secret kid, a son who’s a few years old.”
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