Chapter 1823

Even though Karina dismissed the situation lightly, it didn’t stop the rumors from spreading around the hospital.
Gossip sprang up out of nowhere, speculating that she had a personal relationship with Wilfred and had only gotten her opportunity through backdoor connections. The details were so vivid, it almost seemed believable. Yvette was furious. “Seriously? If they’re jealous, they should just admit it. Why do they have to sneak around and spread petty rumors behind your back?”
Karina, however, remained calm and even comforted her. “Don’t be upset. Here, have some tea to soothe your throat.”
She handed Yvette a cup of tea from a recent online purchase. It was advertised as premium oolong tea, though she wasn’t sure how good it really was since she hadn’t tried it yet. This seemed like the perfect chance to give it a taste. Yvette, coaxed into it, took a sip. Smacking her lips, she suddenly realized something was off. “Hey, they’re talking about you! Aren’t you even a little mad?”
Karina shook her head. “What’s there to be angry about? I’ve heard it all before.”
If anything, hearing the rumors almost felt nostalgic. Back when she was working at a hospital in Birkham, people were saying she had special ties to Wilfred, and the gossip back then was even nastier. She had grown used to it, so it didn’t bother her anymore. Yvette looked at her with a newfound sense of pity and gently patted her head. “Poor thing, taking all this nonsense in stride. You’re too good, sweetie.”
“Get out of here,” Karina replied with an exaggerated eye roll. After spending so much time together, they were past the stage of formal politeness.
“Oh, right,” Yvette said, suddenly remembering. “Aren’t your results supposed to come out today?”
Karina froze. It was! She had completely forgotten. Quickly, she turned on her computer and checked her email.
Sure enough, a new message was waiting in her inbox.
Her heart pounded with a mix of nerves and excitement as she clicked it open and then she let out a triumphant cheer.
“I passed! I passed! I made it!” Karina was over the moon, her worries about the gossip completely forgotten. Nothing could top the joy of this moment.
Yvette was genuinely happy for her too. Thinking of the people still gossiping outside, she snorted. “Let them take a good, hard look now. They said you weren’t capable? Ha! How many people who ‘aren’t capable’ can get into graduate school?”
Karina smiled and patted her arm. “Alright, alright, don’t waste your energy on them. Stay here for a bit-I’ll be right back.”
Without waiting for a reply, she rushed out the door, ignoring Yvette’s calls after her.
Karina’s excitement drove her straight to Wilfred’s office to share the good news. She owed at least half of her success to him. The notes he had given her were a tremendous help. Her heart was full of gratitude, so much so that she didn’t even notice the curious looks from people she passed along the way.
But as soon as she pushed open the office door, her enthusiasm froze in place.
A young nurse was standing close to Wilfred, her posture suggestive as she leaned into him. Karina stopped dead, her excitement instantly turning cold.
The nurse noticed her and put on an exaggeratedly startled expression, as if on purpose. She pretended to shrink behind Wilfred and said coyly, “Oh no, Dr. Norman is here! Dr. Wilfred, what do we do now that she’s seen us?”
She turned to Karina with a mock-pout. “Dr. Norman looks so scary. Are you mad? You’re not going to hit me, are you?”
Karina’s fingers tightened until her knuckles turned white.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
Before she could finish her sentence, the nurse let out a startled yelp.
Wilfred had shoved her away, causing her to stumble to the floor.
Both Karina and the nurse were stunned.
Only Wilfred remained cold-faced, his icy gaze sweeping over the nurse like shards of frost. His tone was biting as he said, “Don’t touch me with unsanitized hands.” The nurse’s face turned pale, then flushed, alternating between embarrassment and anger.
His words were no different from calling her dirty.
But the truth was, Wilfred genuinely disliked unsanitized contact. He had a strict sense of cleanliness and couldn’t stand the thought of someone touching him after
handling other things. Unfortunately, his sharp tongue often made him come across harsher than he intended, leading to frequent misunderstandings.