Chapter 1638
[ 638 words ]
“We worried for nothing,” Barry realized, silently praising Claire’s grounded nature.
Despite growing up in a life of luxury, she hadn’t developed any of the typical snobby habits.
Dr. Terrance, on the other hand, was pushing sixty and complained about
everything.
He had just spent five minutes grumbling that his steamed egg with minced pork was a fraction of a second overcooked.
Barry’s intense stare was making it very hard for Dr. Terrance to ignore him.
“Stop glaring at me. Is it a crime to want a decent meal?”
“I fly all the way to Cabinda for a conference, and I’m stuck eating cafeteria food. I feel like I never left work!”
Barry zeroed in on the core of his friend’s complaint. “Are you telling me your hospital’s cafeteria is actually this good?”
He highly doubted it.
“The *executive* dining room is,” Dr. Terrance corrected smugly.
Their hospital operated a little differently. The senior attending physicians had their
own private dining area, and the food was spectacular.
Mostly because the hospital’s top brass ate there, so the kitchen staff didn’t dare cut
corners.
If the food was bad, the executives would be furious.
And if the executives were furious, heads in the kitchen would roll.
“Should we grab dinner somewhere nice tonight?” Dr. Terrance suggested.
He actually had a specific medical theory he wanted to bounce off Claire, but the chaotic conference environment wasn’t ideal.
Hosting a dinner would give him the perfect excuse to pick her brain in peace.
Having shared a dorm room for four years, Barry instantly saw through his old friend’s scheme.
“Claire, Terrance is treating us to dinner tonight. If you don’t have plans, you should come.”
“Even back in med school, this old fool always knew how to find the best hidden gem restaurants.”
Barry was usually a man of few words at the hospital, but around his oldest friend, he was remarkably animated.
“I’d be happy to join you.” Claire would have accepted simply out of respect for Barry.
Dr. Terrance seemed like a decent guy, and given his close bond with Barry, his character was likely solid. It was just dinner there was no reason to say no.
Now that she was stepping into this high-level medical circle, networking was crucial Every friend she made was one less potential rival down the line.
Besides, with a whole group of prominent doctors dining together, even the psychos
from The Daybreak Syndicate wouldn’t dare try anything.
“Perfect! I’ll take you all somewhere incredible tonight!”
The afternoon was packed with
more panel discussions, keynoten et
speeches from health officials, and presentations of new research from various medical teams
Tagging along with Barry was proving to be a massive learning experience for Claire.
What Claire hadn’t anticipated, however, was that Dr. Terrance’s “incredible place” was the exact same restaurant Dane had brought her to previously.
“This spot is legendary. The owner’s ancestors were imperial chefs. It’s very similar to Hearth & Kettle back in Apex.”
“Though the flavor profiles are distinct.”
“Being up north, they obviously specialize in authentic northern cuisine.”
“Abe! Do you have any roasted duck left? We need two!” Dr. Terrance hollered the moment he walked through the door. Clearly, he was a VIP regular. The owner sold roasted duck?
Claire was intrigued. When she had come here with Dane, they hadn’t ordered any. “I do, and I saved them just for you.”
“You called a few days ago saying you were coming to Cabinda for a conference. You think I’d forget?”
Abe rushed out from the back, beaming. Much like old Daniel, he was a robust, heavily built man.
He walked with a slight limp, but his culinary skills were legendary. Claire could even see the thick calluses of a lifelong chef on his hands.
“Abe, I’m telling you, this is all I’ve been craving.”
“Bring us the duck, a rack of lamb, and whatever else you think looks good tonight.”
Dr. Terrance turned to Claire and Lawler. “Any allergies or things you don’t eat? Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
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