Chapter 608 My Charm Outshines Yours Cheriseâs knuckles turned white as she declared, âYouâre right. Iâve sanitized and scrubbed our past more thoroughly than any instrument in the operating room.â
Damienâs lips curled into a faint smile as he observed her. âAre you certain, Dr. Shaw? Have you erased every lingering trace?â
Cheriseâs voice, barely a whisper, confirmed, âOf course.â
âVery well.â His smile deepened, sly and knowing. âSince youâve forgotten everything, Iâm just an ordinary friend, correct?â
Damien then began his questioning, âAlright. Suppose this regular friend, Zachary, gets playdates with Soren and Serafina. Why canât I, another ordinary friend, receive the same treatment?â
Damienâs eyes sparkled with amusement. âAre you worried that my charm might outshine yours? Afraid theyâll forget their mother after spending a day with their father?â
Cheriseâs eyes widened in disbelief and she retorted, âNonsense!â How could her meticulously raised children switch sides after one outing with him?
She knew Damien was trying to provoke her, but his words still stung.
Gritting her teeth, she conceded, âFine, I agree! One last favor for the sake of the children, and you can have a day with them.â
Damienâs smile widened, a flicker of victory in his eyes. âDeal. But if they choose me, Shaw, you must respect their decision.â
Cherise was left speechless.
Dr.
âSure,â Cherise shrugged, her smile tinged with mischief. âBut letâs be clear: if the kids decide theyâd rather stay with me than you, thereâs no need for a bruised ego, right?
She knew her children were not easily swayed.
Serafina might have a weakness for sugary treats, but leaving her mommy, even for a Prince Charming impersonator, was out of the question. And Soren, sharp as a tack and fiercely loyal, wouldnât be influenced by promises and favors.
Damienâs smile softened at her words, a hint of admiration in his eyes. âI understand your point. Now, letâs address Dr. Laneâs vendetta. To clear your name, Iâll need your cooperation.â
Cheriseâs playful facade faded away. âWhat do I need to do?â
Damien met her gaze, a faint smile curving his lips. âFirst, you need to eat some humble pie. You must confess your fault from two years ago to the director. No excuses, just the truth.â
The morning light filtered through the office window as Cherise, having completed her duties, approached the directorâs door with determination.
She found the director, Dr. Keeples, not alone but engaged in a jovial conversation with Dr.
Lane.
As Cherise entered, Dr. Laneâs cheerful facade cracked, replaced by a calculated briskness as she gathered her papers.
âIt seems you have other matters demanding your attention, Dr. Lane,â Cherise stated, her voice a smooth blend of diplomacy and quiet authority. âWouldnât want to hinder your⦠momentum.â
The director, momentarily disoriented, began to protest Dr. Laneâs departure, but she was already hurrying towards the door. With a final icy glare directed at Cherise, she swept past, met with a resolute nod in return.
The air crackled with unspoken tension left in her wake. Reclaiming the space, Cherise turned to the director, her demeanor now focused and unwavering. âDirector, regarding the incident involving Isaac two years agoâ¦â
Dr. Lane, hovering just outside earshot, held her breath. Cherise, fully aware of her captive audience, continued, her voice laced with quiet determination, âAfter visiting Isaac yesterday, Iâm deeply concerned about his well-being. Iâm here to advocate for him and to clarify the situation surrounding the incidentâ¦â