Page 46 of Ellie 1

“Clearly, you need to be signed up for extra sensitivity training, Dr. Fitz,” I said firmly. “Youdo not get to decide for others what’s a big deal or not, especially when it’s abundantly clear that your judgment cannot be trusted for much.”

“I wouldn’t have thought it was a big deal either given he already reported your relationship,” the head of HR said with a smirk as she stopped by our table. “He wanted to make sure it was recorded right away and asked if anyoneelsehad tried to record a relationship with you.”

I felt the migraine forming as I slowly looked up at her. “And what did you tell him?”

“That there was no one yet, but I’d keep him in the loop if someone did actually admit to having a sexual encounter with you.”

I let out a long breath and smiled, shooting an amused glance at Fitz. “Well, at least your crap is useful for once.” I looked back at the head of HR. “You’re fired. Effective immediately.” I ignored the gasps around us and kept her gaze. “Was I unclear that any disclosure of the relationships reported would be grounds to be fired immediately?

“I did clearly state that foreveryoneto hear. It’s also been in the emails and memos. And lastly, it was in the addendum you alreadysigned, so you’re held to it.” I stood and glanced around until I found security. “Please escort her to her office to retrieve her personal belongings only and lock her out of everything.”

“You cannot be serious,” the woman hissed.

“Have I ever joked about such things?” I asked her with a raised eyebrow.

She realized it was really happening and I saw her snap as she threw her tray onto the table. “You are such a fucking bitch. You are the worst boss I’ve ever had, and all this bullshit ofMs. Reedwhen you’re just jealous that you’re not a doctor and don’t matter is laughable.

“You think he’s toxic to the hospital, but it’s you, and you’re pissed I told people he’s fucked you? You should be glad he was willing to admit it, you fat loser. I never expected anyone to admit to having sex with you, but—how much have you paid him to fuck your pathetic ass when—”

“That’s enough,” Joyce roared. “Get this lunatic out of here.”

I honestly barely heard it all, focused on Fitz the whole time… And his amusement. He thought he’d won something and now I was claimed.

No, I wasn’t having that. Not when I was in charge and doing so much to clean up his mess already.

“Dr. Fitz, you’re lucky you haven’t signed the addendum yet or you’d be out of a job,” I said loudly, settling this as publicly. I nodded when he finally looked up at me. “I understand thatthings didn’t go asyouwanted, but there hasn’t been a sexual encounter to report, and we certainly aren’t in a relationship.”

Anger filled his eyes as he glanced around, pissed I was calling him out in front of everyone. “You’re twisting what the rules—”

“I am notshotgun, and you cannot call me because of what you want,” I snapped. “Now, say it honestly for everyone here before today is your last day.” I stared him down with hate. “Have we had any sexual encounters to report? The new policy that was announced Friday and isn’t even in effect yet. Have we had sex since then?”

I knew I’d still give the gossips something to talk about, but at least them whispering that I’d ever had sex with him was way better than them thinking we were involved now.

“No,” Fitz bit out.

“Are we in a relationship?” I raised an eyebrow at him when he ground his jaw and wouldn’t answer. “Should I call the head of security at my condo and have him tell everyone here that you’rebannedfrom the building? Do you want to give people the details of—”

“No, we are not in a relationship,” he growled.

I glanced around at everyone watching and listening. “And this is why it says in the new rules that reporting afalserelationship to HR will also get you fired. You cannot reserve people you want to be with. This isn’t a matchmaking service where you—”

“Enough,” Fitz snapped as he stood and slapped his hands on the table. “You’re twisting this all around because you’re pissed at me. You’re not being truthful either or—”

“No, she is, and I have no problem telling everyone thatIgot you banned from the building because you threatened me to stay away from her and threw a fit in the lobby more than once,” Clark said as he moved behind me.

“That only matters because she owns the damn building,” Fitz blasted. “No one would care or overreact otherwise!”

I heard someone swear behind me, guessing Alan because he knew I owned the building as well… And he was probably how Fitz had found out.

“You knew,” I whispered, my hands shaking. Fitz focused on me and his face went pale as he realized what he’d admitted. “You knew I owned the building. Since when?”

“Wait, he’s right?” Clark asked as he moved next to me. “You own our condo building?” He glanced between us.

“Of course you knew,” Fitz snapped at him. “That’s how you—”

“Dr. Fitz, enough of the floor show!” I yelled, probably the first time ever in the hospital like this. “Answer me. Since when did you know? How long?”

“I don’t remember,” Fitz grumbled, telling an obvious lie. “Dr. Carpenter let it slip once that you were an angel and let him buy a place for practically nothing when it was built and now his unit was worth millions. That it was a nice retirement nest egg or something to give to his kids if anything happened to him.”

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