Chapter 56



Surprised, Belinda raised her eyebrows. She hadn’t anticipated that the husband of Ryan’s aunt was the chief physician of the Cardiac Surgery Department at Grand Plains General Hospital.

“Really?” Belinda responded with a slight smile.

Ryan and Verena exchanged looks, puzzled by Belinda’s calm demeanor. Both thought Belinda was really shameless for being so unfazed.

Verena pressed her lips together and then said, “How can that be? No one with the surname Thomas or the name Belinie? At the Thomas family’s gathering, Mr. Thomas himself announced Ms. Thomas was set to join the Cardiac Surgery Department at Grand Plains General Hospital! Surely Mr. Thomas wouldn’t fabricate such a thing?”

Ryan agreed, nodding his head. “Yes, it was quite odd. So I did some digging. My aunt’s husband confirmed there’s no one by that name—doctor or nurse. Well, but they do have a caregiver who has the last name Thomas there.”

Verena reacted with exaggerated disbelief, shaking her head. “A caregiver? That can’t be right!”

“Exactly, but we can’t ignore the facts,” Ryan replied. “So, Ms. Thomas, could you enlighten us about your actual role at the Grand Plains General Hospital?”

Belinda observed their coordinated conversation with detached amusement, her smile turning scornful. She replied calmly to Ryan, “My employment at Grand Plains General Hospital and my specific role there—how are these matters any of your business? Since when have we been on such familiar terms that I need to tell you that?”

Ryan was taken aback by her retort, his expression stiffening.

After a brief pause, he scoffed coldly, “Ms. Thomas, does your defensiveness stem from your embarrassment over being caught in a lie? Imagine the reaction if it becomes known that the Thomas family’s goddaughter doesn’t actually hold a position at Grand Plains General Hospital. What would people think about you or the Thomas family then?” Ryan’s comment carried a veiled threat.

Upon hearing Ryan’s accusation, Belinda let out a derisive snort, as though she had heard a poor joke. “Oh, really? Then go ahead, tell everyone. See if I care.”

Her defiant, unflappable manner made Ryan’s frown deepen. Then, struck by another thought, he chuckled mockingly. “Fine. You might not fear being labeled a liar, but what about the scandal of seducing a married man?”

Belinda arched an eyebrow, her tone teasing. “A married man? Are you talking about… Lucas?”

Ryan replied instantly, “So you admit it!”

Unbeknownst to them, a middle-aged woman had been overhearing their exchange. At the mention of Lucas, her eyes narrowed, a spark of intrigue igniting within. Silently, she slipped away toward a secluded room at the end of the hallway. As she entered, a jovial voice called out, “Mrs. Sugden, you’re late! You have to drink three glasses later as a penalty!”

The room was filled with affluent women, all distinguished figures in high society. Tessa Sugden grinned as she settled into her chair, announcing, “My apologies for the delay—I caught wind of some tantalizing gossip right at the door!”

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