Rebirth Into My Second Chance

Chapter 123

The surgery wrapped up without a hitch.

Stepping off the operating table, | felt all my energy vacuumed out of me. The look in that pregnant woman's

eyes before the anesthesia kicked in echoed over and over in my mind. | rubbed my forehead. It was throbbing

in pain, but | couldn't shake it off.

"What's up?" Max emerged from the OR.

| tried to sound casual to hide my unease and avoid another referral to the shrink. "Just the usual post-op blues.

You're ditchingas your assistant to sendoff to grad school?" He continued to wash his hands,

undisturbed, the sound of running water filling the silence between us.

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

When he finally paused, his expression was as calm as ever. "I've agreed to be a visiting professor at the school

you wanted to attend for three years."

| couldn't contain my excitement and jumped up, hugging him tightly. "Mr. Hilton, thank you! So, you are

becoming a professor contingent onbeing your student?"

His eyes narrowed slightly, and he smiled in a way I'd never seen before, simply responding with a low "Hmm."

Several nurses cleared their throats as they went by, and | realized | was still clinging to Max.

Feeling embarrassed, | quickly let go and gave a awkward smile. "Mr. Hilton, I'm really looking forward to your

mentorship," | said, before beating a hasty retreat. So embarrassing.

My heart pounded wildly. Was | falling for Max? My rational mind toldno. | couldn't afford to fall for anyone.

Halfway down the corridor, | ran into Claude, who looked significantly worn down, probably due to Gabrielle's

passing. His face was etched with grief.

"Claire," he began, but | covered my ears, not wanting to be swayed by whatever he had to say.

However, he gently pulled my hands away. "It wasn'twho canceled your grad school spot. | only found out

and used it to pressure you to chome." | was stunned. If not Claude, then who?

"I don't know who did it. I tried to find

out at the school, but they're too influential. guess it was someone from the Hilton family. But why would the

Hilton family take an interest in you? Unless you've somehow got connections there. | was so jealous. |

threatened you. I'm sorry." His belated apology seemed tic and ludicrous.

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

| scoffed. "It doesn't matter now. | wish you well."

I had secured my spot in grad school through my merits, freeing myself from the Hart family's clutches. As |

turned to leave, so did he, and we went our separate ways without hesitation.

Thinking of asking Max when we'd head to school, | passed by his office door and heard him speaking with

someone. The voice sounded familiar, like a former teacher of mine "Dr. Hilton, you tested your student, right? |

told you she's one of the best prospects our school has. You had to see for yourself."

Max responded with a "Hmm."

The teacher continued, "I thought you'd test her for a year before taking her as your grad student. You've proven

my point about her capabilities in just a month." "She's my student now," Max's voice was firm and authoritative.

The teacher quickly added, "Well, congratulations, Dr. Hilton. Are you conducting your research at the hospital

then?"