Page 12 of Ellie 1

I shook my head, clearly having no idea but guessing she thought this story worked in her favor. Or her son’s really.

“He said he wanted to be a healer.”

“Many want to become doctors and save people,” I easily responded.

“Yes, but he said he wanted to become a healerherewhere all people are saved,DoctorReed.” She nodded when I raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I looked into you. I even understand why you don’t announce you are a board-certified just about every type of doctor and have it buried under a hyphenated name.”

“Oh really? Do tell?” I asked, mostly because I was curious and this meeting was taking a turn that I didn’t expect.

She raised her eyebrow back, almost like she was insulted that I would doubt she was smart enough to figure it out. “You do not want the pissing matches. The world has come a long way, but most doctors are still male. You are the woman in charge and every time you would ask a question, if you have those letters after your name, they would think it a challenge.

“Their stupid tiny,brainsof men—and even us prideful women—would think you were questioning them, not simply asking questions to understand better. So I would guess you had those letters at the beginning of your career but found them more of a hindrance and many forgot you ever had them now. I understand that being the best is sometimes instantly a challenge.”

“Yes, so I hope you don’t think that a point of leverage,” I warned her.

She shook her head. “I did not mean it as such. Your work here is important. Too important to be petty with.” She gave me a pleading look. “All Ha-joon has ever wanted was to be a part ofwhat this place stands for and the healing you believe in here. I know his reputation. I know his image.

“Hedidn’t set it, and unfortunately he fell into some traps that we do in our youth. He didn’t want people to think him difficult or flaunting his name, so he went with the flow a bit too much. It has now hurt him and his chances of becoming a doctor here. He is heartbroken that he had to use the board’s offer to get in front of you, but you would not give him a chance otherwise.”

It was about the most polite way anyone had ever told me that I’d been unfair and made a mistake. I couldn’t deny it because maybe I had.

“I hear you,” I said when she seemed like she might ramp back up. “Your son and I came to an understanding, and I’ll give him a chance to prove what you’ve said. I might have put the hospital before taking a chance on someone who will probably cause problems—even if not his fault—but I’m a fair woman.

“So if what you’ve both told me is true, your son has a chance at a thriving career here and I truly hope he’s a fit. I don’t care that the board pulled crap, and I understand him taking the chance because he wanted this. What he doesnextis what matters to me. If he’s on their side or the hospitals. If he’s being honest about his name not being a hindrance or…”

I simply gestured to her standing in front of her.

“We only use our name and power for good, I promise,” she said firmly. “We are not inflated people who think the world owes us anything.”

“Yes, but your idea of doing good put you into my day and I feel a headache forming,” I practically purred.

She took the hint and started setting containers on my desk. It was honestly adorable and I wished she was my mom. I loved the fact she came to fight for her son’s happiness and extend the olive branch.

Plus, I got what looked like amazing restaurant-quality food out of it. I helped myself to kelp noodle salad, water kimchi, and sanjeok, which was one of my favorites. They were meat and veggie skewers and delicious.

Then she added pickled radish wraps and the food was more than worth having to fit her into my day.

“If you had soy quail eggs, I would actually invite you back,” I joked. I actually laughed when she pulled out another container and set it on my desk. Seriously, this woman was too much. I watched her as she packed up the rest. “He’s going to shadow Dr. Joyce Tai to get the flow of how we do things. She’s one of the best, and off the record, my best friend. He’s in good hands.”

She let out a slow, shaky breath. “You might not be a mother, but you certainly recognize a worried mum having so many to care for yourself.”

“Yes.” I wasn’t going to elaborate, and there was no need to get more personal than we already were.

“This place is all he’s ever wanted and I want him happy, but it terrifies me that he is leaving the protection we can provide in London,” she whispered. She gave me a teary look. “No matter how this started, I ask you protect my youngest. I will handle the wolf side and our family requirements—make sure they do not upset your hospital. I—his name can hurt him.”

I nodded. “If he’s half as good as his resume and not a glory hog as his reputation seems, then we’ll be fine and I protect my people, Mrs. Clark. I give you my word on that. Even if we can’t get on the same page, he can move on peacefully.I’mnot the spiteful one to set people up for failure.”

“No, the word about you is very honorable no matter…”

My family. I nodded, accepting that even if she didn’t say it.

“One woman to another, even if it’s overstepping,” she hedged, waiting until I nodded. “Your father is circling again. When I inquired about you, it reached my ears that you will bemarrying and leaving your position here soon. I would wonder if the board heard the same.”

I considered that a couple of minutes as she finished packing up her bags with food. “It’s smart to consider, but the board sees me as a paper pusher and not worth checking into enough. I’m a cog intheirmachine instead of the reality. It could be a factor, but I doubt they even realize I’m born of that family.”

“You know your own minefields better than any of us can, I simply wanted to warn you because—”

“You’re declaring you’re on my side, not to try and dominate me.”

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