Love at First Sight? Mr. Harrison Has Been Scheming All Along-Chapter 249: "I Want to Go to the Cafeteria with Dr. Linden Today.
"Then let’s get ready to transfer her in three days."
Rory Linden immediately offered her opinion.
She knew Charlotte Rhodes trusted Evan Hollis the way an elderly person trusts a health supplement salesman.
If anyone could persuade Charlotte Rhodes to agree to the surgery, it would only be Evan Hollis.
Any contact between Sean Harrison and Charlotte Rhodes would only worsen her condition.
Seeing Rory Linden’s attitude soften, Evan Hollis’s expression brightened visibly. "That’s wonderful. Auntie Rhodes isn’t doing well, so I also hope she can be transferred and have the surgery as soon as possible."
Rory Linden understood.
Charlotte Rhodes’s condition was essentially insufficient blood supply to the heart, which was causing organ failure.
The sooner she had the surgery, the longer she could live.
Rory Linden looked at Keith Hawthorne. "Director Hawthorne, can we arrange the transfer in three days?"
Keith Hawthorne nodded. "Of course, that’s no problem! I wouldn’t mind if you transferred her today."
Rory Linden smiled. "We can’t do it today. I’ll contact President Harrison in a moment and have him request a VIP suite from the hospital director."
And with that, the matter was settled.
As soon as Rory Linden got back to her car, she called Sean Harrison.
She first told him about Charlotte Rhodes’s transfer, then mentioned that he would need to request the VIP suite.
"I understand. I’ll come to your hospital tomorrow. If you have time, come with me to see your director. You can explain the situation more clearly."
Sean Harrison never missed an opportunity to see Rory Linden.
She had a busy surgical schedule, so if he just showed up to wait for her, he would likely miss her.
The best way was to arrange a meeting in advance.
"Alright. I’m in the clinic tomorrow morning until 11:30. If it’s convenient, can you meet me at the entrance of the administration building before noon?"
Rory Linden agreed.
Given Charlotte Rhodes’s situation and the transfer from Elysian to her hospital, it was appropriate for her to be there to explain things.
-
「The next day.」
After finishing her clinic hours, Rory Linden took the elevator down and immediately saw Sean Harrison standing in the first-floor lobby of the outpatient building.
The man, dressed in a dark shirt and dress pants, stood beside a large, round pillar in the lobby.
The young nurses at the reception desk, the staff at the pharmacy window, and the younger patients passing by all found their gazes drawn to him.
Rory Linden had always believed Sean Harrison would be a charming man at any age.
’Even at sixty, there would probably still be plenty of women willing to marry him.’
’It was just that...’
’Their relationship wasn’t what it used to be, and she didn’t want her colleagues speculating about them.’
Acting as if she hadn’t seen him, Rory Linden walked straight toward the exit.
She hadn’t even made it across the lobby when...
"Rory Linden."
Sean Harrison had already strode to her side.
The nurses at the reception desk all turned to look in unison.
Rory Linden greeted him, "President Harrison." Her tone and posture could only be described as deferential.
Sean Harrison, of course, knew why she was acting this way. He didn’t mind in the slightest; he was simply happy to walk beside her.
The two of them went to the administration building together and explained the situation to the hospital director.
The director agreed at once, even adding, "President Harrison, for something like this in the future, you can just give me a call. There’s no need to come in person."
Sean Harrison was one of the wealthiest men in Celestria. He had also recently decided to establish a foundation to help children at the hospital who had trouble affording treatment.
Getting a VIP suite for his mother was something he could have arranged with a single phone call.
The director was flattered that he had come in person.
Sean Harrison maintained a professional demeanor. "My mother’s condition is quite serious. I hope you will give it the attention it deserves."
"Of course, of course!" the director readily agreed.
With the matter settled, the director glanced at the clock on the wall. "President Harrison, it’s just about lunchtime. If you’re free, let’s have a casual meal together."
Rory Linden felt this conversation had nothing to do with her.
She was waiting for Sean Harrison to answer so she could find an excuse to slip away...
"I appreciate the offer, Director." The man turned to Rory Linden. "Dr. Linden and I will just grab a bite at the cafeteria."
’?!’
Rory Linden’s heart skipped a beat.
She quickly interjected, "President Harrison, our hospital cafeteria’s food is quite plain. I’m afraid you wouldn’t find it to your liking."
In truth, the cafeteria at Celestria University Affiliated Hospital had a decent reputation.
But it was mostly doctors and nurses who ate there, and their expectations weren’t particularly high.
’A capitalist like Sean Harrison, used to lavish meals, would surely find cafeteria food unpalatable.’
The director seemed to catch on to something. "Why don’t we have Dr. Linden join us, then?"
"Director, I have clinic appointments this afternoon," Rory Linden refused.
"My mother will be staying here, so we’ll have plenty of opportunities to dine together," Sean Harrison said, his gaze fixed on Rory Linden. "But today, I want to go to the cafeteria with Dr. Linden."
"..."
The word ’speechless’ was practically written across Rory Linden’s face.
"Then I’ll go with you," the director suggested.
Sean Harrison’s rejection was even quicker. "No need. Dr. Linden and I will be fine on our own. We don’t want to keep you from your work, Director."
By now, the director understood the situation perfectly. "Very well, very well. Dr. Linden, please be a good host to President Harrison."
Rory Linden might dare to offend Sean Harrison, but she didn’t dare cross the hospital director.
She had no choice but to agree.
On the way to the cafeteria, every colleague they passed couldn’t help but stare.
Rory Linden was so exasperated she didn’t say a word.
Once inside the cafeteria, they both got trays with the same meal.
They sat down at an empty table in the corner.
Rory Linden did her best to ignore the curious stares from her colleagues, keeping her head down and eating in silence.
"Dr. Linden."
A woman’s voice called out.
Rory Linden looked up to see a young nurse addressing her.
"Is there something I can help you with?"
As Rory Linden spoke, the nurse’s eyes kept darting toward Sean Harrison.
Her objective was obvious.
The nurse finally looked back at her and asked in a low voice, "Is that... Sean Harrison, the president of Stellar Group?"
She looked at Sean Harrison, hoping he would answer the question himself.
But he just stared back at her, apparently waiting for her to answer on his behalf.
Rory Linden had no choice but to bite the bullet and explain, "Yes. His mother is being transferred to our cardiac surgery department, and the director asked me to accompany him for lunch."
"Really?" the nurse said immediately. "Mr. Harrison, you’ve definitely chosen the right place. Our hospital’s cardiac surgery department is renowned throughout the country, and our chief, Jason Stone, is one of the nation’s top cardiac surgeons."
Sean Harrison finally spoke up. "My mother’s surgery has been specifically requested to be done by Dr. Linden."
The nurse froze for a second, realizing her misstep. "Dr. Linden is an excellent doctor as well, of course."
The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
The nurse stood there for several seconds before finally speaking again:
"Oh, by the way, Mr. Harrison, I’m very experienced in patient care. You’re a VIP at our hospital, so if you need any help, I would be happy to assist in taking care of your mother."
Rory Linden lowered her head and went back to her meal.
’I’m not really needed in this conversation anymore.’
She had just put a piece of broccoli in her mouth when she heard the man across from her say:
"My mother has been ill for many years; she has always had dedicated caregivers. If your intentions go beyond that, then I advise you not to waste your time."
