Chapter 216


    Chapter 216


    Gwendolyn burst intoughter and said, “No biggie, I’m just a country girl after all.”


    Frustrated, Sandra reminded her, “Gwen, you’re too faid back for your good! Your husband is


    surrounded by wens, and you’ll just let him be, huh?”


    At those words, Gwendolyn’s smile faded.


    One Selina was threatening enough, let alone the possibility of others eyeing Howard.


    “Sandra, marrying firm was a fluke. If I weren’t in the picture, he’d probably have married some high


    society debutante, don’t you think?


    “Oh, my god! A fluke? Come off it. You two are a match made in heaven!” Sandra eximed. “You and


    Howard are legally hitched. Don’t tell me you don’t fancy him!


    1 do Gwendolyn whispered.


    “Well then! If you’re smitten, don’t let go so easily. Gwen, you’ve got to stand your ground! Howard has


    no shortage of admirers. You’ve got to-”


    Sandraunched into a pep talk, trying to bolster Gwendolyn’s confidence.


    Finally, she patted Gwendolyn’s shoulder and advised, “The free clinic’s signup ends in two days. Skip


    it this time. Leave it to the single docs in the department.”


    Gwendolym nodded. “Fine, I’ll think it over.”


    The volunteer rally began with Sanford speaking on behalf of the hospital’s top brass. Gwendolyn


    silenced her phone, only to spot an unread message from Howard.


    A smile she couldn’t suppress curled her lips as she read.


    Gwendolyn quickly typed a response, “At a meeting in the hospital.”


    I’ll pick you up afterward,] Howard replied, brief and to the point.


    Gwendolyn bit her lip and texted back, [Okay.]


    Sandra caught the exchange and teased, “Deeply attached, aren’t you? I can’t bear a day apart. And


    you’re still considering the clinic in the sticks?”


    Gwendolyn pinched Sandra’s arm and muttered, “Give it a rest.”


    “Aw, shy? After all these years, Sandra teased, and a thought suddenly struck her, “You guys


    haven’t…?”


    Gwendolyn mped her hand over Sandra’s mouth, panic–stricken. “Keep it down!”


    Sandra held up two thumbs together and whispered incredulously, “Really? His legs are fine now,


    aren’t they? Is the rumor true? That he’s…”


    Gwendolyn’s face turned scarlet. “It’s not that. We just…”


    “Lack of experience? Are you too shy?”


    “No… Let’s drop the subject, Sandra.*


    “Don’t worry, Sandra said with aforting pat. “Come to my officeter. I’ve got something for you.”


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    Chapter 216


    “What is it?”


    “Some good reading material forter,” Sandra said with a wink. “Top–notch stuff. I’ve been collecting


    for


    years.”


    Post–meeting, Gwendolyn left with a thumb drive Sandra handed her, examining it curiously.


    Stepping out of the hospital, she spotted the familiar Rolls–Royce parked outside.


    Cliff, the driver, got out and opened the rear door. A tall man sat inside, fingers deftly tapping away on a


    laptop.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    “Mr. Chadwick.”


    Gwendolyn slid into the seat beside him, stealing nces at his expression.


    “What brought you to the hospital?” Howard asked casually.


    Gwendolyn was unsure about the clinic roster and replied, “An impromptu meeting.”


    “What’s that in your hand?” He noticed the ck corner sticking out.


    “A thumb drive. It’s got some material on it,” Gwendolyn said. “May I use yourptop to check it out?”


    She was curious about the contents Sandra had so meticulously gathered.


    Howard had hisptop ready as if on cue.


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