Love on the Fast Track (Derek and Norah)

Chapter 53:

Jolie observed Norah's swift departure from the department without a backward glance and turned to Baylor,

saying, “Why is Dr. Wilson in such a rush?” Baylor, absorbed in his paperwork, responded, “Why concern yourself

with the affairs of others? Just keep to your tasks.”

“Fine. I'm just showing a bit of concern here. If | were in that spot, I'd worry about you too,” Jolie retorted.

Norah headed straight for the Neurosurgery Department, only to find out Aikin was swamped with patients at the

outpatient clinic. A colleague from the department teased, “Dr. Wilson, you're really dedicated, running to Dr.

Rivera right after getting a moment apart. Afraid someone might sweep him off his feet?”

Norah gave the speaker a frosty look and retorted, “Perhaps you should consider donating your brain if it's of no

use to you.”

It was clear to Norah that only those who didn’t engage their brains would take rumors at face value and speak

carelessly in front of those involved.

Disregarding the comment, Norah returned to the Cardiac Surgery Department. She understood seeking out

Aikin at the outpatient clinic would be futile now. There was ample tto set things straight with him later.

“Crash!” In a secluded room, Norah, clad in her doctor's coat, expertly flipped a man over her shoulder and

firmly stomped her foot on his chest.

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“Aikin, I warned you about my temper. It seems you didn’t quite understand my words yesterday. You chose to

test my patience,” Norah declared flatly.

Increasing the pressure, Norah added, “Don’t blme for not holding back.”

Aikin’s face flushed from the pressure, whimpering under Norah's hold. The blistering afternoon sun beat down

on them as the secluded grove beside the hospital offered privacy for Norah's confrontation.

“Did Madeline offer you anything to continue spreading these rumors? Were your actions today just to provoke

me?” Leaning in close, Norah whispered menacingly, “Did you really think you could play games with me?”

A sharp slap made Aikin reel, his teeth rattling from the impact. Fear took over him.

“I made a mistake, please! | don’t even know who Madeline is, I'll make things right with our colleagues, |

swear!” Aikin’s plea was accompanied by tears streaming down his face.

The previous day, Aikin had been intimidated by someone resembling a bodyguard, keeping silent to avoid

further trouble. This morning, his vague messages in the chat were intended to annoy Norah.

Hadn't he been asked to make things clear? He did explain, but misunderstandings were beyond his control.

Imagining Norah's frustration gave Aikin a sense of victory as he headed to work today. Norah might be

stunning, but what of it? They would still be bound together, with her weathering the storm of rumors.

In the meantime, he could gain money from the deal he had struck with Madeline.

Norah summoned him to the secluded grove at midday. Aikin assumed she wanted clarification. However, he was

caught off guard by her fierce onslaught.

Aikin was in agony, puzzled over how someone so graceful could possess such force. The pain didn’t just linger;

it burned.

“Ah, seeking clarification now? It’s a bit late for that,” Norah said, pulling Aikin’s phone from his pocket and using

his fingerprint to unlock it. She accessed the hospital's chat group, took pictures, and uploaded them.

Norah sent the messages using Aikin’s account. “For those who spread rumors, think twice. Next tyou

casually toss around rumors, expect this to happen.” Norah's post with Aikin’s account, showing his bruised face,

shocked everyone in the chat.

“Who sent this? It can’t be him, right?”

“Con. No one in their right mind would post their beaten-up photos. Someone beat Dr. Rivera and then

posted these in the group.”

“Who would assault a doctor here in the hospital? Should we alert security?”

Silence took over the chat, with no one brave enough to continue the conversation. The last message read,

“Why's everyone quiet? I've already called...”

Witnessing the chat history, Norah had to hold back a laugh. The idea of calling security when no one else dared

to type was utterly absurd to her.

Norah discarded the phone onto the ground and gently tapped Aikin’s cheek, offering advice, “Listen...”

“Dr. Rivera, your value is only as much as your bank account. Don’t overestimate yourself. You're merely a bug

under my foot that | could easily squash.” Norah's voice was cold, devoid of warmth, causing Aikin to feel

overwhelming dread. His thoughts stalled, and he shivered uncontrollably.

“Norah, | wouldn't dare,” Aikin stammered. “Dr. Wilson, you have my word, I'll steer clear of you.”

As Norah lifted her foot, Aikin breathed a sigh of relief. His gaze remained fixed on her retreating figure, filled

with both fear and awe. Norah had an unexpectedly intimidating presence—savage and formidable.

Back in her department, Norah saw Jolie giving her an approving nod and a thumbs-up.

“Oh my God, Norah, were you behind those messages in the group chat?” Jolie asked, her voice filled with

curiosity. Norah nodded slightly.

Jolie moved her chair closer, her curiosity piqued. “Did you really take Aikin down? You seem so gentle, yet

you're so tough! You must have been the one to post those messages. Did you handle it by yourself, or did

someone help you?”

“Well, yeah...” Norah hesitated, not wanting to delve into the details of what had happened in the grove. Picking

up on Norah's reluctance, Jolie wisely retreated to her desk.

Aikin, sore from the encounter, returned to his department, enduring the mocking gazes of his colleagues. One

of the doctors who had previously mocked Norah interrupted, “Who's Dr. Wilson's so-called boyfriend? Who beat

you up so badly?”

“It just shows that those who can’t win with integrity resort to spreading rumors. Fellow doctors, beware of Dr.

Rivera's charm offensive.”

“Con, why would Dr. Wilson bother with Aikin? I'm much better looking. Should we alert security?”

Silence took over the chat, with no one brave enough to continue the conversation. The last message read,

“Why's everyone quiet? I've already called.”

Witnessing the chat history, Norah had to hold back a laugh. The idea of calling security when no one else dared

to type was utterly absurd.

Norah discarded the phone onto the ground and gently tapped Aikin’s cheek, offering advice. “Listen, Dr. Rivera,

your value is only as much as your bank account. Don’t overestimate yourself. You're merely a bug underfoot

that | could easily squash.”

Her voice was cold, devoid of warmth, causing Aikin to feel dread. His thoughts stalled, and he shivered

uncontrollably.

“No, | wouldn't dare,” Aikin stammered. “Dr. Wilson, you have my word, I'll steer clear of you.”

As Norah lifted her foot, Aikin breathed a sigh of relief, his gaze fixed on her retreating figure, filled with fear and

awe. Norah had an unexpectedly intimidating presence—savage and formidable.

Back in her department, Norah saw Jolie giving her an approving nod and a thumbs-up. “Oh my God, Norah, were

you behind those messages in the group chat?” Norah nodded slightly.

Jolie moved her chair closer, filled with curiosity. “Did you really take Aikin down? You seem so gentle, yet you're

so tough! You must have been the one to post those messages. Did you handle it by yourself, or did someone

help you?”

“Well, yeah...” Norah chose not to delve into the details of what happened in the grove.

Picking up on Norah's reluctance, Jolie wisely retreated to her desk.

Sore from the encounter, Aikin returned to his department, facing the mocking gazes of his colleagues.

The doctor previously mocked by Norah interrupted, “Look who it is, Dr. Wilson's so-called boyfriend. Who beat

you up so badly?”

“It just shows those who can’t win with integrity resort to spreading rumors. Fellow doctors, beware of Dr.

Rivera's charm offensive.”

“Con, why would Dr. Wilson bother with Aikin? I’m much better looking.”

“But seriously, Dr. Wilson is incredible, handling Aikin by herself. Let's see Aikin try to smear anyone’s name

now!”

With his head hung low, Aikin walked to his desk, only to be greeted by a tap from another doctor as soon as he

sat down. “Gil is asking for you in his office.”

After a scolding from Gil and shutting the office door behind him, Aikin couldn't shake off the feeling that luck

wasn't on his side today. Everything seemed to be going wrong. First cthe physical confrontation, followed

by a reprimand. Was his job next on the line?

Aikin only agreed to Madeline's proposal because she painted a picture of Norah coming from a struggling family

background. And Norah, with her stunning beauty, had enchanted him. Now that the lesson was learned, he

hoped that by setting the record straight, Norah might let him off the hook. As for Madeline, he intended to work

out a settlement to cover his medical bills.