Chapter 25

The room was spacious, as it was a VIP ward,yet Marissa couldn't avoid Holley when a small cart blocked her way, keeping her from stepping aside completely.

Holley's hand flailed desperately and caught the edge of Marissa's white coat.

Instinctively, Marissa stepped backward, tugging at Holley's sleeve.

A sharp ripping sound cut through the silence of the room-the buttons of Marissa's coat flew off one after another, and the material tore under the tension.

Holley, gripping a corner of the torn coat, lost her balance and crashed to the floor with a dull, bone-jarring thud that made the air feel heavy.

"Ah!" she gasped in horror.

Before Marissa could steady herself, the momentum dragged her down as well. She fell forward,landing squarely on Holley, who cried out in pain as the two hit the floor together.

They were close to the hospital bed, and as Marissa struggled to push herself up, something caught her wig.

The clips held fast, leaving it slightly crooked but still in place.

From that close distance, their eyes locked-Holley's widened as she stared into Marissa's striking eyes, a strange familiarity stirring within her.

"I swear l've seen you somewhere before," she murmured.

"I told you, you have me confused with someone else,"Marissa replied evenly, fixing her wig with a subtle motion and turning her face away as she rose from the floor.

The white coat, now hanging open and buttonless, was beyond saving, but she didn't bother with it.

The ward door stood open, and through it, the Curtis brothers could be seen helping hospital staff wheel the unconscious Rayden past.

Marissa had no time to waste; she turned to leave.

"You're just going to leave like that?" Holley called after her, unwilling to let go of someone who had just put Maxton in his place.

Ignoring the dull ache in her tailbone, she scrambled to

her feet.

"Maxton, do you believe me now? Didn't I tell you your hospital's doctors are useless? Look-Rita woke up!"Holley's face lit up with arrogance, her chin tilting upward in smug satisfaction.

"Dr. Griffin even said she couId handle it herself, but look at her-clearly, she can't!" Holley wvasn't finished;she turned her sharp tongue on Christy next. "I said she only got in through connections, but she denied it!Compared to this doctor here, isn't it obvious who's more capable?"

Carla, who had stayed silent to avoid arguing with Holley, finally spoke up when she saw Christy being humiliated.

Her voice carried the weight of authority. "Young lady,watch your words. Dr. Griffin is a top master's graduate and an excellent doctor. She has earned multiple commendations from patients. She just specializes in a different field."

Holley rolled her eyes, impatient and dismissive."Come on, save your lecture!"

Rubbing her sore tailbone, she turned toward Maxton again. "Well? Admit it already! Fire her and hire this woman instead as your hospital's associate chief doctor!"

She jabbed her finger toward Christy before pointing to Marissa, who was already outside the room.

"Hey, don't go! I'm trying to help you get a job!"

Marissa turned her head slightly, her tone calm and detached. "Just remember your promise."

"Of course! Don't forget to call me-and add me on WhatsApp!" Holley said eagerly, then rushed after her as a thought struck. "Actually,you add me first!"

She had a hunch the woman wouldn't reach out once she left.

Marissa merely shook her head, showing no intention of pulling out her phone.

"Which doctor's student are you?" Carla asked quickly,not wanting to lose someone so capable. Taking out her own phone, she offered warmly, "Let's exchange contacts. I can recommend a mentor for further training."

Carla's composed and trustworthy demeanor made a positive impression on Marissa.

She paused for a moment, then nodded and exchanged WhatsApp details with her.

"Wait, what? You added her but not me?" Holley pouted in protest.

Marissa was impervious to the whims of others'sentiments, rendering Holley's grievances utterly inconsequential to her. As she prepared to stow her device, an unmistakably masculine palm extended forth.

"Permit me to introduce myself-I'm Maxton Wallace.

I'd love to add you on WhatsApp,too." Maxton smiled.

"Hey!" Holley employed her petite build to shove Maxton from the scene, regarding him with evident contempt."Why are you adding her on WhatsApp,too?"

Maxton's demeanor hardened, his irritated stare settling upon Holley's visage. His voice conveyed a subtle frost. "This has nothing to do with you!"

Holley swiveled her eyes skyward in irritation, then turned to Marissa. "I would advise against linking with him.He is a womanizer!"