Chapter 213



But Kylee was quick to mask her anger, replacing it with a pitiful, downcast look.

Her voice, tinged with hurt, quivered as she said, “Belinda, isn’t this… Isn’t this a bit too much?”

Belinda tilted her head, feigning innocence with her expression. “Too much? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to leave the hospital? That’s why I came up with this compromise. If you don’t think it’s fair, then maybe you should consider looking for work elsewhere now.”

Her smile returned, sharper this time, cutting like a blade.

Kylee’s composure cracked for just a moment. She was at a loss for words. She understood Belinda’s intentions perfectly now—Belinda wasn’t showing her kindness; she was humiliating her.

She had only one choice to make: stay and be humiliated as a perpetual intern, or leave the hospital and concede total defeat.

At that moment, Caiden’s calm, authoritative voice broke the silence. “I think Belinda’s proposal is reasonable. Kylee, the terms have been laid out for you. The decision is up to you. Take the evening to think it over and give me your answer by tomorrow morning. Meeting adjourned.”

Without waiting for a response, Caiden stood up and left the room. The others followed his lead, rising to their feet.

One by one, they turned to Belinda, congratulating her with warm smiles. Each compliment was like a dagger to Kylee’s pride.

Her fists clenched tightly beneath the table as her jaw tightened. Jealousy, frustration, and resentment churned inside her, threatening to boil over.

Unable to bear the humiliation any longer, Kylee left work early. She went straight home, locked herself in her room, and cried out loud.

When Carola called Baker to tell him this, Baker immediately rushed back home from the office.

“Kylee, open the door! What’s wrong? Why are you crying like this?” Baker said, knocking on Kylee’s door with concern.

Carola stood behind Baker, her brows furrowing as a realization struck her. “Kylee,” she said, raising her voice slightly, “isn’t today the day of your competition with Belinda? Did you lose?”

The question hung in the air for only a moment before Baker’s expression changed in understanding.

His knock became more insistent. “Kylee, is that why you are crying? Did you lose to Belinda? Come out and tell us.”

Several tense minutes passed before the door creaked open.

Kylee emerged from the room, her face red and her eyes swollen from crying. The moment she saw Carola, the dam broke.

She flung herself into her mother’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Mom,” she choked out, her voice trembling with pain. “I lost to Belinda. I lost!”

Carola and Baker exchanged glances, surprise flashing across their faces.

So, it was true.

Kylee had lost to Belinda in the competition.

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