Chapter 1812

Wilfred coughed lightly and replied, "There's nothing else to do while staying in the room."

His explanation only made things worse.

Karina's brows shot up immediately. "What do you mean by nothing else to do?"

Her expression turned serious, and her tone carried an unusual firmness. "It doesn't matter. When you're sick, you need to rest properly. Your book is confiscated. Go lie down."

It was the first time someone had ordered Wilfred around like this, and he found it oddly amusing.

Of course, if it had been anyone else, he wouldn't have listened. Only Karina could manage to sway him.

Even so, Wilfred didn't head to bed but remained seated in his chair. "You mentioned earlier that you came because of something. What is it?"

Karina hesitated briefly. "Well, the association sent me an email. I just saw it. They're inviting me to visit when I have time."

As soon as she finished, she watched Wilfred's reaction nervously. Knowing his antagonism toward the association, she expected him to disapprove. She was already brainstorming ways to appease him if he became upset. "What do they want you to do?" Wilfred's brows furrowed as his expression darkened. He was clearly displeased.

The association had approached Karina without his knowledge.

Misinterpreting his displeasure as disapproval of her interacting with the association, Karina quickly assured him, "I'm not planning to go, really!"

Wilfred couldn't help but find her eagerness to reassure him amusing. "Why not? The association has a lot to offer people like you."

Even Wilfred had to admit this. While the association held no appeal or use for him personally, for young doctors like Karina, it was a coveted opportunity. It was a place where renowned experts gathered, with access to invaluable medical resources. Karina, however, shook her head, her gaze resolute. "I'm not going."

"For me?" Wilfred frowned, his emotions conflicted.

If Karina was refusing the association because of him, it warmed him but it also worried him.

"If it's because of me, let me make this clear I don't want you making decisions based on my opinions. I want you to choose freely, based on what you truly want."

Although Karina had always known what kind of person Wilfred was, hearing his words still made her feel a deep sense of gratitude.

Having him as her former director felt like a blessing.

She responded earnestly, "No, this really is what I want."

When Karina said this, Wilfred's

brow

noticeably, and fora

nove

brief moment, his emotions stirred. However, he masked it so well that Karina didn't notice.

After a long pause, he nodded slightly, then shifted the conversation. "I heard you're preparing for graduate school?"

"Yes, I've been focusing on studying lately," Karina admitted without hesitation.

Everyone knew she was planning to apply for grad school. There was nothing to hide, especially from Wilfred.

Wilfred's eyebrows arched slightly. "Have you decided on a mentor yet?"

That question silenced Karina.

While she spoke confidently about it

to her friends, deep down, she wasn't so sure. Her social circle was limited, and she hadn't previously built connections with any renowned mentors.

Now, scrambling to find one at the last minute felt daunting.