Chapter 17 Hiring Xylia as the Director Chapter 17 Hiring Xylia as the Director +20 Free Coins The room buzzed with chatter, and malicious gazes swept over Xylia's body without the slightest attempt at concealment. Xylia's anger was reaching its peak, but just as she was about to explode, Greg pulled her back and issued a low warning: "You'd better stop now; there are still so many patients waiting for you. Making a scene won't do anyone any good. Watch yourself, or I'll fire you." "Oh? Then do it! Fire me! I quit!" Xylia shook off his hand on the spot, raising her voice to the highest volume. Greg was stunned. The previously rowdy atmosphere quieted slightly. Someone who understood what was going on immediately jumped in. "She said it herself, Dr. Robinett. Just fire her." "Exactly, that counts as her resigning on her own. She's just a clueless little girl who doesn't deserve to be a doctor at Brighton Central Hospital." Xylia sneered. "The emergency full-body skin graft surgery was successfully performed by me. Everyone here knows that, right?" Someone rolled their eyes. "Seriously? You're going to claim credit for that? Everyone knows Dr. Zink did the surgery. You were just his assistant. And let's be real, a woman doing a major operation like that? Please." "Dr. Robinett, tell them. Was I the one who performed that surgery?" Xylia turned to Greg, who had been playing the mediator, trying to make her back down. Greg's gaze wavered. "Well, you did. Don't talk nonsense, everyone." Though his words confirmed it, the perfunctory tone in his voice only made it seem even more like Xylia hadn't actually performed the surgery. The people around exchanged knowing looks, their expressions making it clear they understood what was really being implied. Some people just said it. "Dr. Diego Zink has become internationally famous these past few years. Patients come here specifically for him. Xylia's patients are likely just the ones who couldn't get in to see Dr. Zink. And now she thinks she's important." Greg opened his mouth, then closed it again, looking rather guilty as he glanced at Xylia. "Dr. Watson, don't take it personally." At this point, he was still telling me not to take it personally, huh? A cold feeling crept over Xylia's heart, little by little. She had completely lost faith in this hospital. "Greg, suit yourself." Xylia didn't say anything more and left quickly. She ignored the messages Greg sent afterward and submitted her resignation letter directly. Once she got into her car, her mind felt blank and lost. From now on, she would probably never set foot in a hospital like that again. She didn't even want to be a doctor anymore. If the reality of her dream was just a cesspool filled with men who looked down on women, was it even worth pursuing? "What's wrong?" A steady, deep male voice suddenly rang out beside her. Xylia snapped back to her senses. "Huh? Why are you here?" 1/4 3:58 pm G P Chapter 17 Hiring Xylia as the Director She instinctively looked toward Shadow-1 and Shadow-2. It must have been those two who told him. +20 Free Coins Then, a chilling thought struck her. If Sebastian was receiving reports on everything I did, that meant Shadow-1 and Shadow-2 were constantly watching me. Did I have any semblance of freedom left? As these thoughts rushed through her mind in an instant, Sebastian spoke in a calm voice. "I was passing by. I thought you'd be at work today, so I came to check in." Despite being scheduled to work, Xylia took leave without telling Sebastian. "Oh, I see." Realizing how ridiculous her suspicions had been just now, she forced a smile. Right. What possible ulterior motives could Sebastian have towards a divorced woman like me? Sebastian unbuttoned the top button of his coat, leaned back slightly, and stretched lazily. His movement subtly revealed his defined collarbone, and his voice carried a casual, unhurried tone. "Tell me, what's bothering you?" "It's nothing, really," Xylia lowered her gaze. But in the end, she couldn't hold it in. She recounted everything that had happened earlier, and as she spoke, tears fell uncontrollably. "That surgery was mine, but none of them believed me Do you?" She lifted her head. Her tear-filled eyes shimmered, making her look fragile and helpless. Sebastian didn't say a word. He simply took out a handkerchief from somewhere and gently wiped away her tears. "Don't let them get to you." His voice was low and steady, and his movements were surprisingly gentle. Xylia felt inexplicably comforted. "Thank you." "Since you've resigned, I just so happen to need a director at my new dermatology hospital. Want to give it a try?" "Huh?" Xylia blinked in confusion. "You opened a hospital? A dermatology hospital?" Sebastian nodded calmly. "I believe in your abilities. I had already planned to recruit you. You're talented, and if they're blind to that, then I'll be the one to value it." Xylia hesitated. "This... doesn't feel right." Sebastian said firmly, "You can do it." He seemed to have complete faith in her, though Xylia had no idea where his confidence came from. Then she remembered that Sebastian had once been her patient. Perhaps he trusted her skills for that reason. Or, perhaps, he simply believed she could generate profit for him. And, truthfully, a part of her yearned to prove her worth. 2/4 3:58 pm G P Chapter 17 Hiring Xylia as the Director +20 Free Coins She was determined to demonstrate to those prejudiced men that a woman could succeed on her own terms. "Alright. I won't let you lose money." Sebastian replied, "Even if you do, it doesn't matter." Xylia assumed he was just trying to reassure her. It was like how wealthy investors operated-they aimed to make a profit but were always prepared for losses. The next day, they signed the contract. Sebastian truly lived up to his reputation as the richest man. His efficiency was unmatched. Xylia had no idea when he had built the hospital, but the facilities were top-tier, and the hygiene standards were impeccable. It was clear he had been preparing for this for a while. She looked over the employment contract. The terms were remarkably generous, especially considering he'd allocated her 55% of the shares. This meant she had absolute decision-making power over the hospital's operations. The contract was so favorable that she started suspecting there was something she had overlooked. She hired multiple lawyers to review it. She went over it herself countless times. But no matter how carefully she scrutinized it, she couldn't find a single issue. Finally, she couldn't help but glance at the man sitting across from her. Dressed in a black suit, Sebastian leaned against a genuine leather sofa worth millions, his gaze fixed outside the window. The setting sun cast a golden glow on his sharply defined profile, lending him an air of warmth. His features were inherently intimidating, yet for some reason, just looking at him felt reassuring. Taking a deep breath, Xylia made her decision and signed her name. "Hmm. You took the bait," The man sitting opposite her spoke in a lazy, offhand tone. "What?" Xylia's hand trembled slightly, and her heart skipped a beat. No way. Was there really a trap? Sebastian stood up. Taking a step forward, he rested his long fingers against the back of her chair. Lowering his head slightly, his dark eyes gleamed with an unreadable light. A subtle smirk tugged at his thin lips as he gazed straight at her. The distance between them shrank in an instant. His warm breath ghosted across her face. "Do you believe I'd be capable of selling you?" Xylia swallowed, her thoughts a whirlwind. Had she missed something crucial? Think! Was Dad right? Am I too naive for this? But no matter how capable she was, she was no match for a business mogul like him. "I... I don't believe it." Xylia forced a smile. "You're a retired soldier. Soldiers wouldn't harm innocent civilians... right?" 3/4 3:58 pm G P Chapter 17 Hiring Xylia as the Director Sebastian leaned in even closer, nearly brushing against her lips. Xylia instinctively shrank back. She was pressed against the leather couch, with nowhere left to go. She curled into the cushions, tears rising again. +20 Free Coins Sebastian usually seemed easygoing, but his sharp features exuded an undeniable sense of danger. Had his previous gentleness. been just an illusion? Then, suddenly- He chuckled. Sebastian didn't move closer. Instead, his lips curved into a full smile. A moment later, he burst into laughter. と 4/4 3:58 pm G P