Chapter 1778

Sera’s gaze was so sharp it felt like it could pierce through Karina.
Karina hadn’t expected her momentary greed to create such a mess. If she couldn’t stay a doctor, she would have no source of income, and her life would spiral further out of control.
“Please, don’t do this. Tell me what you want, and I’ll keep helping you. Maybe… I could spike his drink for you again, or set up another opportunity,” Karina said, grabbing Sera’s hand out of desperation.
Sera clearly wasn’t short on money. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to give Karina such a large sum back then.
All she wanted now was to secure her position at the hospital.
Sera pulled her hand away, a mocking smile on her face. “Set up another opportunity? Do you think Wilfred would fall for it twice? Do you take him for an idiot, Dr. Norman?”
Wilfred wasn’t an idiot, and ordinary drugs didn’t seem to affect him much.
Karina felt utterly helpless. One wrong step had led to another, and now she had no idea how to fix the mess she was in.
Sera hooked an arm around Karina’s shoulders, her tone dripping with mockery. “Dr. Norman, you must be really talented to get our esteemed director to promote you to assistant. Working so closely with him, you must have so many chances to get near him.” She suddenly paused, her gaze shifting to Karina’s face. Without warning, she grabbed Karina’s cheeks with both hands, her fingers digging in.
Karina noticed the cold and taunting glint in Sera’s eyes. She felt like an object, a mere commodity under someone else’s scrutiny.
She had no idea what Sera would say next, but then Sera unexpectedly burst into laughter. “Relax, Karina. I’m not as crazy as you think. Oh, and stop looking at me with that expression.”
“Got it,” Karina replied quietly.
“Accepting help puts you at someone’s mercy.” The saying couldn’t have been truer at this moment. Standing before Sera, Karina felt utterly small and powerless.
Sera burst into another laugh. “Look at you, Karina. I really have no idea what Wilfred sees in you. Is it your cowardice that he finds so appealing?”
Sera looked at Karina as if she were watching a ridiculous clown. Her gaze was filled with amusement and disdain, making Karina feel deeply uncomfortable, though she had no way to fight back.
“I don’t know what Dr. Wilfred sees
in me either, Karina replied, her tone flat. “But whatever you’ve arranged, can’t refuse. That said, there needs to be a deadline.” She couldn’t let Sera hold this over her forever. If word got out, her reputation at the hospital would be ruined
Sera narrowed her eyes, her elegant features twisting into a mocking smirk. “Oh my, that’s the funniest thing I’ve
third today. You actualet
think you’re in a position to set conditions? Karina, do you even
have the right to bargain with me?”
Karina felt a wave of helplessness, as if she were punching cotton-utterly powerless and completely ignored.
The Stone family had been controlling her for so long, and now Sera was adding to her misery. She had her limits, too, and she knew that giving in would only invite endless threats and demands.
Taking a deep breath, Karina
stepped back, putting some
distance between herself and Sera.
“I know I’m in no position to negotiate, but the money you gave me isn’t worth this much trouble. I’ll write you an IOU and pay you back double-two hundred thousand. That’s my limit. And if you’re interested in Wilfred, pursue him yourself. Don’t drag me into this. What you’re asking me to do is illegal, and I won’t do it.”
With that, Karina turned on her heel and started to walk away, deciding to let things fall where they may.
But before she could take another step, Sera darted in front of her, blocking her path.
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