Abigail knew that and actually felt the same, so it was what she had in mind as well.
Moreover, a doctor that had Zachary’s confidence would be no pushover.
“I’m going in,” she said anyway.
“Yeah, I’m coming with you.” Zachary agreed.
They both entered to find Dr. Kyle examining Tommy from head to toe, and took a blood sample because the baby had been drugged.
“I’ll inform you right away if I find something,” Dr. Kyle said as he put everything back in his briefcase.
“I’ll walk you out,” Zachary said.
After they were gone, Abigail finally asked, “Was there a problem?”
Diarmuid looked into her eyes. “No, Tommy’s fine. Do you think I’d let his poisoner live?”
Abigail stiffened, and tried to explain, “Ricky was threatened…”
“He was the one who did it. His reasons don’t matter,” Diarmuid spat icily.
“Well, have you calmed down now?” she asked.
“What, you’re not upset?” Diarmuid studied her. “Are you siding with him just because he was threatened?”
From Diarmuid’s standpoint, causes did not matter–Ricky did it, and therefore must pay the price! Not killing him was already mercy.
On the other hand, Abigail wasn’t feeling particularly sympathetic towards Ricky, but…
Anything goes, as long as it appeases Diarmuid.
“Well, has Dr. Kyle agreed to work as Tommy’s attending physician?” Abigail asked.
“No,” Diarmuid replied.
In fact, Peter Kyle did not appear attracted by any offer, no matter how much money he was promised. It seems that ambitions are just like Zachary’s and Abigail’s, though he promised to come immediately should Tommy fall sick again.
Zachary recommended Dr. Kyle because he had come into the country to further his career -to be precise, his girlfriend was local, and he decided to take up a career here to stay with her. Anyway, someone as talented as him was bound to find success anywhere he went.
Dr. Kyle’s reason for not working as Tommy’s attending physician was because he has to help other children as well–such was his obligation and compassion as a doctor.
Abigail was sure most doctors shared that compassion, and wasn’t surprised by Peter’s response.
Bzzt-
Abigail’s phone suddenly started to ring, and she answered it outside.
It was Miss Lang. “I need a favor.”
“What is it?”
“There will be a dance competition held in the city’s sports complex. I’ve been picked as a judge, but I had something come up so I can’t attend. I was thinking you can take my place.
Abigail quickly refused. “I don’t think I could.”
“Why not?”
Abigail said, “I don’t have the qualifications for one, and I’m quite busy at the moment.”
“It won’t take that long,” Miss Lang pointed out, “It’s just one afternoon, so please help me out here.”
Abigail glanced at Tommy, who was lying in his crib. She couldn’t say yes to Miss Lang’s request because she hadn’t really taken good care of Tommy. Now that she had plenty of time to do it, she didn’t want to do anything else. “I’m sorry, but I really don’t have any time to spare…”
“Oh, I guess I should come clean–Robin Lynd actually asked for you. She’s quite keen to have you adjudicate.”
Abigail narrowed her eyes immediately. “What?”
“You asked me for an introduction before, right? She told me you’re a friend now. Why else would she ask me to request that you adjudicate?”
From Miss Lang’s perspective, the request itself held no drawbacks. Only individuals who reached a certain qualification can be a judge, just as it was confirmation of their abilities.
As such, she was sure that this was a good thing, which was why she agreed to help ask Abigail to attend the competition as a judge.
Abigail, however, was quick on her feet.
She immediately realized that this could be a trap!
“Did she mention anything else about me?” Abigail asked.
“No,” Miss Lang replied.
“Have you told her that I’m a dancer myself?”
“I knew you might be busy, so I tried to turn down her request when she first approached me,” Miss Lang explained. “I told her that you’re not a dancer, but that seemed to make her more eager. It struck me as odd, but I also thought that she might be trying to help you as a friend.”
Abigail was almost laughing inwardly.
Now, she understood everything.
“Alright, I’ll be there,” Abigail said. “But please don’t tell her that I’m a dancer. Also, I have a favor to ask…”
“Of course. Just shoot.”
After Abigail told Miss Lang what she had in mind, she asked, “Can it be done?”
Miss Lang thought about it for a while before saying, “Of course.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, both of you really shouldn’t be so polite,” Miss Lang laughed.
They then chatted a while longer before hanging up, and Abigail turned to find Diarmuid watching her.
Looking around the living room, she asked, “Where’s Zachary?”
“He left,” Diarmuid replied.
Abigail nodded, and suddenly remembered what she saw in Diarmuid’s office. “Have you ever wondered if… Debbie is into you?” she asked gingerly.
Abigail’s question left Diarmuid Althoff frowning–it seemed to come out of the blue.
Why suddenly mention Debbie? That change in conversation was too quick and too random.
“She’s just my secretary. Why did you ask that?” Diarmuid replied, realizing then that he had never observed Debbie.
Abigail’s brow was wrinkled as she remembered what Debbie did with his desk. “I saw her in your office when I went there…”
There was an edge in her voice, but Diarmuid thought it was fine since Debbie entered his office from time to time while he was away. “So? What of it?”
Abigail’s lips twitched–was she being paranoid?
But she clearly saw Debbie laying on Diarmuid’s desk, and what she did was…
Maybe she was imagining it?
But she clearly was not!
Still, Diarmuid’s permanent scowl turned to a smile. “Are you jealous, Abigail? If you feel insecure that I have a woman working closely with me, I can get a change in personnel.”
Abigail blinked. “You think I’m being jealous?”
“Aren’t you?” Diarmuid chuckled.
While Abigail would admit that she was shocked to see what Debbie was doing and cringed at it, she wasn’t actually jealous. Moreover, she was doing it to herself while Diarmuid was not in the office!
“I’m not jealous.”
Diarmuid pulled her to him and gathered her in his arms. “Really? Hmm?
As he leaned in beside her ear, his dank, warm breath sprayed all over her ear. It tickled, so she shrunk into her shoulders and gave in. “Fine, I’m jealous, okay?”
Diarmuid gave her a peck on her cheek and nuzzled her ear. “Well, that’s just proof that you love me.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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