Chapter 19
The nurse suddenly panicked “No, please don’t tell Dr. Liam! I don’t want to get fired. How about I cut you another appl instead?
“Get lost! Do you really think you’re worth it?” Howard sneered. “Even if Natalie herself cut me an apple, I wouldn’t eat it. You are all worthless trash.”
The hospital room door swung open, and Natalie walked in.
As soon as the nurse saw her, tears started streaming down her face. She rushed to Natalie and said, “Dr. Liam, I really tried my best, but this patient… he’s talking about you.”
The nurse’s voice was low, just for Natalie, but Howard overheard and chuckled. “What can I say about her? Back when she was washing my feet, you hadn’t even graduated yet. It’s because of her that I’m still alive, trying to keep me from dying.”
The nurse turned pale, staring at Natalie. “Dr. Liam, he really…
“I’m the one she’s always trying to please,” Howard interrupted c**ly.
The nurse’s face dropped, her admiration for her idol crumbling like a house of cards. Dr. Liam was her model and now she knew that her model had to beg for someone else’s approval, and they openly admitted it right in front of her; the disappointment was huge.
Natalie didn’t deny it. She replied calmly, “You can step outside. I’ll handle this.”
“But, but… the nurse hesitated. She didn’t want to stick around, but leaving felt impossible. “I’m still an intern. If he’s not happy, I might not get a job after this…”
She glanced at the middle-aged man in the hospital bed, but he remained unfazed, smirking, “With your skills, you think you can get a job? Dream on.”
The nurse burst into tears.
Closing the door, Natalie noticed the neatly peeled apple on the floor. It was definitely the one Howard had tossed aside, just to make life harder for the young nurse. “She’s assigned by the hospital, not by me, and she’s very dedicated, Natalie said c**y.
Howard, still lying in bed after surgery and unable to move much, wore a mocking grin. “Do you really think I’d believe you? All you can do is pull off these little tricks. If you think you can play games with me, I’ve got plenty of ways to deal with you.”
Natalie couldn’t help but laugh at his words. “You really think I’m scared of you?”
Howard was grinning from ear to ear. “Aren’t you? I’m close to Tobias. Just look at you, taking my surgery so seriously- aren’t you worried I might die? If that happens, you’ll never get a chance to get close to him again.”
Natalie raised an eyebrow. “Did I ever say I wanted to go back to the Reese family?”
“Seriously? Isn’t it obvious? Don’t play games with me. You’ve been following Tobias around like a lost puppy, hoping to become Mrs. Reese. And you actually made it in and then got kicked out, how could you not want to come back?” Howard shot back.
Natalie clapped her hands, mildly impressed by his imagination. You’ve got a point there.” He was saying things Natalie hadn’t even thought off
Her opinion of Tobias just took a hit. The person she used to dislike the most was Howard, but Tobias couldn’t stop giving this guy power, which only caused her more trouble. It was better not to dwell on the past; the more she thought about it, the angrier she got. And some people, even after six years and saving him again, still managed to be unbearable.
Howard coughed a few times, looking pale but having mischief in his eyes. “I know all about you, Natalie. Right now, you have no choice but to play nice with me.”
“Play nice with you?”
“Since you saved my life, you’re in charge of me while I’m here. I feel even a little uncomfortable… well, let’s just say you won’t want to deal with what happens next,” he smirked.
Natalie scoffed, ready to argue, but Howard cut her off. “But look if you play your cards right, I might just connect you
with Tobias and give you a chance. At least you’ll have some hope.” He looked so proud of himself, like he was doing her a huge favor
Natalie walked over to a small table, picked up an apple, and started fiddling with it. “Still need me to peel this apple?”
“Yes. Get on it. You don’t want to find out what happens if it doesn’t go well, Howard replied with a cold laugh, enjoying his little power trip.
Natalie grabbed a small knife from the side and started slicing an apple.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
The young nurse, feeling trapped, stayed quiet but shot Natalie a disappointed look.
Noticing her expression, Howard laughed even harder. “See how she really is? Clinging to some guy, obediently following orders. Pathetic.”
“There’s no way, Dr. Liam is not like that at all… The young nurse tried to defend Natalie, but her voice trailed off, losing strength with each word.
As Natalie finished peeling the apple, it looked perfect, with one smooth long strip
“Hey, hand it over!” Howard demanded, looking quite pleased.
“Sure, here you go.” Natalie tossed the apple peel right at his face Enjoy! Then she calmly took a bite of the apple herself. It tasted surprisingly good.
Howard’s eyes widened in disbelief as the apple peel landed on his face. “Natalie, how dare you! You threw that peel at met She looked at him as if he were being ridiculous. “Didn’t you want to eat the peel? You didn’t touch it when the nurse did such a great job, I thought maybe she accidentally messed up. Besides the apple, the peel is the only other option.”
Howard fumed, “Don’t try to twist this! You did that on purpose! Natalie, you’re just asking for trouble!”
She let out a cold laugh. The only one asking for trouble here is you. Six years ago, you bullied me, and I let it go. But that doesn’t mean you can keep pushing me around. I saved your life because you’re a patient, nothing more. If you want to play games, I’ve got plenty of ways to make your life miserable.”
Howard’s face turned red with anger. “Threatening me? With your level? Good luck! Just wait until I tell Tobias about-this.
Natalie finished the last bite of her apple and then threw the core right at him. It hit him square in the face, right alongside the sticky apple peel, leaving a small bump. The core hit the floor with a thud.
Natalie smiled at him, completely unfazed, “Say whatever you want; I really don’t care. After that, she turned and left the hospital room, taking the stunned nurse with her. Inside, she didn’t feel any better. She didn’t know why this guy was so full of himself. He really thought she’d let him walk all over her like a doormat. Even without feeling satisfied, she had plenty of ways to deal with someone like Howard.
But as she pushed open the door, she found Tobias waiting right outside. “You…” What a coincidence! She ran into him again?!