?Chapter 1509:


    It would be difficult—and frankly, rude—to keep refusing.


    After a short pause, she gave in with a smile. “Alright then. How about lunch today?”


    Nni’s face lit up. “Perfect! I know you’ll be working in the afternoon, so I’ll choose a restaurant nearby. That way, you can return to the hospital on time.”


    “Sounds good.” Belinda nodded.


    “Wonderful. I’ll send you the details shortly,” Nni said. “I won’t keep you any longer. See you soon.”


    With those words, she turned and walked away.


    Their conversation had taken ce just outside the doctors’ office, so many doctors and nurses nearby had noticed them chatting, though they didn’t know what they were talking about.


    Still, expressions were telling, and they knew that Belinda and Nni had shared a pleasant conversation.


    Inside the office, thements started almost immediately. One member of Turner’s team muttered, “Dr. Wright’s really lucky to have bonded with the Wright family in Soling. Mrs. Dury seems very grateful to her.”


    “Right? It’s like she hit the jackpot. Who would’ve thought her treatment n would match Star’s? Star even handed her the follow-up care of Ms. Dury,” another doctor said, bitterness tainting his voice.


    “To someone who doesn’t know better, they’d think Belinda performed Ms. Dury’s surgery herself!” the doctor from Turner’s team replied.


    One doctor, tired of their pettiness, cut in firmly.


    “It’s unfair of you to say that. How is it luck if Dr. Wright’s n matched Star’s? That’s calledpetence. And what’s wrong with Star entrusting the follow-up to someone who clearly proved herself? Dr. Wright is Ms. Dury’s attending physician now, and she has handled her recovery with nothing but dedication. It is natural that Mrs. Dury feels gratitude toward Dr. Wright.”


    The room fell quiet. The two gossiping doctors were momentarily speechless.


    Just then, Belinda walked into the office.


    Though she sensed the subtle tension in the air, she didn’t let it affect her.


    Every tale finds a home at g?lnσν???s


    Her expression was calm as always, and without missing a beat, she walked over to her desk and resumed her work.


    At lunch break, she left the hospital and headed straight to the restaurant Nni had picked.


    Nni had chosen a ce not far from the hospital. Belinda only drove fifteen minutes to get there.


    When Belinda entered the private room, Nni and Elwood were already waiting for her inside.


    “Dr. Wright, you’ve arrived.”


    Noticing Belinda’s arrival, Nni and Elwood rose from their seats. Belinda greeted them with a warm smile before walking over to take her seat.


    “Dr. Wright, here’s the menu. Feel free to choose anything you like,” Nni said, passing the menu to Belinda.


    Belinda scanned the options, ordered a dish, and handed the menu back to Nni.


    .


    .


    .