The Runaway Groom

Chapter 13

“What? Why would you ask that, sir?” Irene asked, a foreboding sensation hitting her just then.

“You should know what it means to be blacklisted...” the chief said hesitantly. “Your career as a doctor–including your accomplishments–would all be erased, and no hospital would hire you.”

Irene was left flabbergasted by the situation that struck out of the blue. She clenched and freed her knuckles repeatedly, until she finally said, “Sir, I really love this job ... I can‘t go without it.”

“I want to keep you, but there is nothing I can do for you.

In reality, the chief found it a pity–he acknowledged and admired Irene‘s professionalism and abilities, but he did not have the ability to help her.

“If you want to keep your job, you have to talk to Isaac Jefferson . Apologize to him if you offended him, and it just might save your career,” the chief told her earnestly.

“I...” Irene was hesitant to say anything.

After all, could Isaac‘s prejudice against her be that easily resolved?

She understood that he was coming for blood, not just

because he wanted to get back at her for touching something precious to him, but also because he was dissatisfied with marrying her. He probably would force her to ask for a divorce in the process as well.

Taking a deep breath, she said, “I understand.”

“You are on your own on this own,” the chief said, leaving her dispirited as she returned to her clinic.

She expected that things would not work out even if she begged Isaac for mercy, because he wanted her to divorce him…

she had signed an agreement with Henry, and she would be violating that agreement if she gave in

felt sick and wanted to vomit, though

send her resume to other hospitals, but all of them rejected

she genuinely felt

have many friends either. In fact, the only one she could

for a while, she eventually

phone to call him, and he picked

you,” she said, trying

agreed to it

at a restaurant, and Irene left

was still under the impression that Irene was worried

yet...” he said as

was the perfect timing anyway, Irene told

did that happen? I had no

tell you in time.” Zachary blinked, but became relieved as he said, “Well,

nodded, but Zachary saw that she still appeared to

option, she admitted,

became

“No, I‘ve offended someone.”

offend? I‘ll help you kick their

eventually said it anyway. “Isaac Jefferson.” Zachary almost spat out his drink. “Him?

Irene nodded.

you manage to offend him? Was it Whitney Cox?” Zachary asked, since he

a wedding, and since there was no publicity and Isaac did not acknowledge

eventually anyway, did not tell Zachary either–which was why Whitney was the