Chapter 4

"Darling, don't tell me you're pulling strings for your younger love? Oh wait, the proposal was successful, so I should change how I address him now."

Vivienne's face darkened.

"What's with the sarcastic tone?"

"After all these years of marriage, you've never thought to buy me a ring to make me happy."

"Nolan's so thoughtful. He saw I was feeling down and tried to cheer me up. It's disheartening that someone like you would misunderstand his kindness."

I snorted softly, not bothering to argue with her.

Years ago, I had spent all my savings on a diamond ring for her, but she said doctors shouldn't wear rings and forcefully returned it.

Now she's claiming I never bought her one?

Vivienne was about to say something else when her phone suddenly rang. Her face instantly lit up with joy—clearly, the message was from Nolan.

"Steak again today? How about eating something lighter? I'm already getting old, and if I keep gaining weight, I'll be too embarrassed to show my face in public."

She tapped her phone, playing Nolan's voice message on speaker:

"Vivienne, you're as beautiful as a flower. You look as young as my little sister. Who dares say you're old? I'll go punch them right now."

Vivienne covered her mouth, giggling uncontrollably.

Seeing her like this, I handed her the divorce papers I had prepared:

"Sign these before you continue your chat."

She took the documents, but her eyes remained fixed on the screen, thinking I was asking for something:

"If you had come to your senses earlier, you wouldn't be dealing with all this mess now."

"What are you asking for? And why do I need to sign? Seems awfully formal."

I replied coolly:

"Divorce papers."

Vivienne's pen dropped to the floor.

She widened her eyes, looked around nervously, and quickly hid the agreement, hissing angrily:

"Are you crazy? This is a hospital!"

"If anyone finds out about our relationship, it'll be a scandal for me as the Chief of Staff. How ridiculous."

Yet she had agreed when Nolan proposed in public.

No matter what she said, it was clear she just thought I wasn't good enough.

"Sign it, and you can be with Nolan openly."

Vivienne thought I was jealous about the proposal and rubbed her forehead, explaining impatiently:

"Nolan and I just have a normal boss-employee relationship. If you insist on thinking otherwise, there's nothing I can do."

I've heard this excuse so many times I could puke.

"Okay, okay, my mistake then. Happy now?"

Vivienne glared at me:

"I'm trying to have a civil conversation with you. What's with this attitude?"

Unbelievable. When we argue, she says I'm being unreasonable. When I go along with what she says, she claims my attitude is bad.

She's impossible to please.

I sprawled onto the bed, pulled the covers over me, and tried to find peace by blocking out the world.

She stomped her foot, then seemed to remember something and reined in her temper. She patted the cramped single bed and softened her tone:

"This bed is too small, and the conditions are poor. I'll have you moved to a VIP room."

I pulled back the covers and looked at her strangely.

She hadn't cared about me at all from when I was injured through my amputation. What was with this sudden change of heart?

Was this supposed to be her way of apologizing to me?

Vivienne's lips curved in a faint smile as she said gently:

"Since you're sick anyway, why not give Nolan the chance to go on the team training trip? It would be good for him to lay low for a while too."

I knew it. There was no way she'd suddenly start caring about me. This was all about advancing Nolan's career.

I sneered:

"No thanks. I have many students. Even if I gave the spot to my worst student, I still wouldn't give it to a murderer."

Vivienne's smile vanished instantly.

She had lowered herself to me repeatedly today, only to be rebuffed each time. Now she was thoroughly enraged:

"You're a bitch, aren't you? I was going to give you a chance, but since you don't want it, get the hell out of this hospital."

"What kind of doctor is a cripple? Go home and do the laundry and cooking, that's what a useless son-in-law should be doing!"

She stormed off in a huff.

I didn't bother with her and went back to sleep.

The next day when I opened my eyes, I saw Nolan standing in front of me holding a glass of water.

He had a gentle smile, but spoke quietly:

"Mentor, let me tell you a secret. I deliberately made the surgery fail. I wanted to see who Vivienne would protect."

"As I suspected, Vivienne has never stood by your side."

"What a shame that a genius has fallen like this!"

I thought it was an accident, but it turns out he did it on purpose!

I glared at him angrily:

"That was a human life!"

Nolan still had that gentle smile:

"I didn't want her to die either, but who told Vivienne to crush your hand back then? She couldn't bear to ruin your future, so she changed it to crushing your leg instead."

"The things Vivienne is too soft-hearted to do, I always have to give her a little push. Don't you agree, my dear mentor?"

What a devil!

I was about to make my next move.

But before I could react, he suddenly let out a cry and fell to the ground. The glass in his hand shattered, and he pretended to casually press down on it.

At that moment, Vivienne walked in carrying breakfast.