Chapter 19

"How can you be so sure?" Holley's gaze brimmed with doubt.

In all her experience, no doctor had ever claimed to know precisely when a patient would stir from slumber.

"Whether or not she receives treatment, the result stays largely the same," Marissa responded coolly,with no intention of delving deeper.

Given that Holley had no medical expertise,her efforts to explain would be futile. She reasoned that her brothers had likely settled Rayden in his hospital room,and she was ready to depart.

As the nurse stepped away, Marissa made to follow. To Christy, the truth was glaring-Marissa was here for Maxton!

Fury surged within Christy, barely contained despite several steadying breaths.

As Marissa moved toward the exit, Christy barred her way. "You are just fabricating nonsense! Are you even assigned to the fifth floor? Why are you poking your nose where it doesn't belong?"

The nurse, still nearby, rushed back to restrain Christy,

gently urging, "Dr. Griffin, calm down! I'll fetch the director and Dr.Wallace!"

The nurse only sought to defuse the tension, but Christy's anger flared hotter at the attempt to soothe her.

"No! Don't bring them into this!"

Christy refused to let Maxton be summoned,partly because she dreaded losing her composure in his presence.

And even with Marissa's face half-hidden by a mask,her visible features hinted at striking beauty. Christy feared Maxton would be interested in her.

"You don't even know my family's condition, yet you stop the nurse from calling Dr. Wallace. What do you mean by that?" Holley shot a frustrated glare at Christy. "You must be a terrible doctor! Did you buy your deputy chief doctor title? An intern doctor can glance at my family and know her state, but you, a so-called deputy chief doctor, just fire off questions without even checking her first! Calling you incompetent is putting it kindly!"

Christy, still fixated on Marissa, was caught off guard by Holley's sudden attack. Frowning, she retorted,"It is standard protocol! I also said if you don't want to repeat yourself, another family member could step in."

As long as Maxton stayed out of it, CChristy clung to some semblance of reason. Between Holley and Marissa, she knew who posed the greater threat, and her focus remained locked on Marissa.

Still, her irritation with Holley lingered. Having worked at Harmony Hospital for years, Christy was a standout among the younger doctors, second only to Maxton,with patients travelingfar to consult her.

To be branded incompetent by a young woman was a deep insult.

If not for her need to confront Marissa, she would have clashed with Holley on the spot. How dare Holley question her medical skills!

Her face reddened, her expression contorted, her entire demeanor sharp with rage.

"Stay here. Wake my family up. We have other matters to attend to," Holley said urgently, grabbing at Marissa's sleeve, desperate to keep her from leaving.

She needed to return to Marc's home before he and the others arrived, but if Rita remained asleep, her next steps would falter.

"You, grab the medical kit now," Holley ordered the lingering nurse. "What's wrong with you? She told you to get it. Why are you still standing here? Hury up!"

The nurse quickly released Christy and darted off.

"Don't call Dr. Wallace over!" Christy snapped at the nurse, anxious she might bring Maxton. She was irritated that the nurse complied with Holley.

"Look at how rattled you are!" Holley said, seeing through what Christy had in mind. Studying Christy's face, she sneered, "You don't strike me as Maxton's type. Compared to his past girlfriends, you're lacking in allure."

In her youth, Holley had harbored feelings for Maxton,but he was ruthless to those he didn't favor, and Holley, used to being the center of attention,wouldn't chase someone uninterested.

To her, Theodore was simply/ a smarter investment than Maxton; he didn't have a trail of exes.

At the thought of Theodore, Holley's mood soured,recalling Marissa being taken home. With a jealous edge, she muttered, "Can't I just wake my family myself?"

Marissa deftly grasped Holley's hand,preventing her from touching Rita, and said evenly, "She is in a deep sleep now and won't rouse easily. My specialized approach is the most effective way to achieve results.But if you want to try waking her yourself,be my guest."

Holley sensed something familiar in Marissa's quick,precise movements. Looking up, she asked, "Have we met before?"