Chapter 1808

Why would someone as unbothered by non-work matters as Wilfred suddenly intervene in this situation?
Karina didn’t think too deeply about it. She failed to notice that the real reason lay in Wilfred’s reluctance to let Xavier stay at the hospital.
After all, the only person Wilfred trusted in the Atlantis hospital was Karina. If Xavier stayed, she would inevitably be the one to care for him. And Wilfred, stationed in Birkham, wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on things.
Just the thought of Karina and Xavier spending days and nights together in a place out of his sight, talking and sharing moments, made Wilfred’s gaze grow icy without him realizing it.
Meanwhile, Karina, shivering from the sudden chill, blamed the air conditioning or her choice of outfit. She was completely oblivious to the most obvious culprit standing right next to her.
The discharge procedures went smoothly. By the afternoon, Xavier’s belongings were packed, and he was ready to leave. Since he was Karina’s patient and they had grown acquainted over time, she set aside her tasks to see him off. Xavier glanced at Wilfred, then deliberately turned to Karina. “Dr. Norman, may I have a hug?”
Karina blinked in surprise, her gaze instinctively drifting toward Wilfred. But she stopped herself. “He’s asking me, not Wilfred. This is my decision. Why am I even hesitating?” she thought to herself.
Chiding herself silently, Karina gave a small nod. “Sure.”
She stepped forward and briefly hugged Xavier-a polite, fleeting gesture with no romantic undertones, simply a farewell.
But to Wilfred, the sight was intolerable. Before Karina could fully pull away, he reached out, gripping the back of her collar and tugging her away.
“Dr. Wilfred?” Karina blinked at him in confusion.
Only then did Wilfred realize his reaction might have been a bit too much.
Xavier, however, smoothly provided an explanation, his tone laced with amusement. “I suppose Dr. Wilfred is just being cautious about the optics. He wouldn’t want any rumors to tarnish your reputation. My apologies-I didn’t consider that.” Karina, ever accommodating, immediately waved it off. “Oh, it’s fine. I don’t mind.”
Wilfred’s barely softening expression froze again. He stared at Karina, a rare surge of frustration rising in” him. For the first time, he felt an overwhelming urge to clench his jaw
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When Xavier finally left, Wilfred released his hold on Karina and muttered, “What don’t you mind?”
Karina paused, caught off guard.
Wilfred repeated, this time with a
trace of exasperation, “You said just now that at you didn’t mind. Since
when did the student I trained become so magnanimous as to disregard their own reputation?”
“I didn’t mean it that way-” Karina began, but the sight of her nervous expression made Wilfred sigh.
Rubbing his temple, he relented. “Forget it. You should head back. I have something to take care of.”
Recognizing his uncharacteristic irritability, Wilfred swiftly excused himself.
Karina, however, was left bewildered. She assumed she had angered him. Her instinct was to follow, but with so many eyes watching in the hospital, she hesitated.
“I can bear the gossip, but Wilfred’s
reputation is different. He’s gone so many years without any scandals; maybe he just doesn’t want to be entangled with anyone,” she thought to herself.
Resigned, she lowered her head and sent him a quiet apology via text.
Ding!
Wilfred’s phone buzzed, a notification lighting up the screen.
He glanced at it, his brows knitting slightly. Suppressing the urge to respond, he slid the phone back into his pocket. Just then, it rang.
“Dr. Wilfred, it’s me,” a familiar voice came through the line.