The Runaway Groom
Chapter 13

"What? Why would you ask that, sir?" Irene asked, a forebodingsensation hitting her just then.

"You should know what it means to be blacklisted..." the chief saidhesitantly. "Your career as a doctor—including your accomplishments—would all be erased, and no hospital would hire you."

Irene was left flabbergasted by the situation that struck out of the blue.She clenched and freed her knuckles repeatedly until she finally said,"Sir, I really love this job... I can't go without it."

“I want to keep you, but there is nothing I can do for you."

In reality, the chief found it a pity—he acknowledged and admiredIrene's professionalism and abilities, but he did not have the ability tohelp her.

“If you want to keep your job, you have to talk to Isaac Jefferson.Apologize to him if you offended him, and it just might save yourcareer,” the chief told her earnestly.

"I..." Irene was hesitant to say anything.

After all, Isaac's prejudice against her wouldn't be that easily resolved.She understood that he was coming for blood, not only because hewanted to get back at her for touching something precious to him, butalso because he was dissatisfied with marrying her.

He probably would force her to ask for a divorce in the process as well.Taking a deep breath, she said, "I understand.”

“You are on your own on this own," the chief said, leaving her dispiritedas she returned to her clinic.

She expected that things would not work out even if she begged Isaacfor mercy, because he wanted her to divorce him...

But she had signed an agreement with Henry, and she would beviolating that agreement if she gave in to Isaac.

She suddenly felt sick and wanted to vomit, though that moment lastedfor a brief instant.

Turning on her computer after taking a break, she tried to send herresume to other hospitals, but all of them rejected her the instant theysaw her name.

At that very moment, she genuinely felt the might of a black flag!

Even so, she could not go without a job, and she did not have manyfriends, either. In fact, the only one she could go to now was Zachary.After hesitating for a while, she eventually whipped out her phone tocall him, and he picked up soon enough.

"Irene? What's up?"

“Do you have time? I want to meet you," she said, trying to keep hervoice normal instead of raspy.

Zachary quickly agreed to it anyway. "Sure."

They were going to meet at a restaurant, and Irene left the hospitalsoon after washing up, so she arrived first.

When Zachary arrived, he was still under the impression that Irene wasworried about getting a heart donor.

“I can't get a donor yet..." he said as he sat down.

Since it was the perfect timing anyway, Irene told him, "My mother hashad a transplant already.”

"What?" Zachary exclaimed in surprise. "When did that happen? I hadno idea!"

“Last night," Irene replied. "I couldn't tell you in time."

Zachary blinked but became relieved as he said, "Well, did the surgerygo well?"

She nodded, but Zachary saw that she still appeared to be dispirited."What's wrong?"

Having no other option, she admitted, “I'm going to lose my job."Caught by surprise again, Zachary soon became indignant. "What? IsDr. King firing you?"

“No, I've offended someone."

"Who?" Zachary pressed. "Who did you offend? I'll help you kick theirbutt!"

Irene hesitated since Zachary might be friends with Isaac, but sheeventually said it anyway. "Isaac Jefferson.”

Zachary almost spat out his drink. "Him? He's the reason you're goingto lose your job?"

Irene nodded.

"Well, how did you manage to offend him? Was it Whitney Cox?"Zachary asked since he could not think of any other reason.

He, like others, was unaware of Irene and Isaac's marriage. They neverheld a wedding. Since there was no publicity and Isaac did notacknowledge it anyway, only a select few knew.

Irene, knowing that Isaac would divorce her eventually anyway, did nottell Zachary either—which was why Whitney was the only connectionbetween Isaac and Irene that Zachary could think of.

Before she could respond, he continued, “To be fair to him, it's the firsttime I've seen him get so obsessed with a woman... But he's still ablind fool—why Whitney Cox, of all people?”

It did not matter to Irene whom Isaac fell for as it was strictly a case ofto each their own.

Whitney might really be Isaac's type.

Still, Zachary's outburst confirmed Irene’s theory that he and Isaacwere friends, so she asked gingerly, "The patient you asked me to treatin your stead... That's Isaac Jefferson, right?"

She had that hunch when she recognized Stan as Isaac's assistant, soshe simply asked to confirm it.

“Yeah, but don't tell anyone," Zachary told her, having faith that shewould not do so—or he would not have allowed her to sub in for him.Then, after some thought, he said, “I'll talk to him in your stead.”

Irene wanted to stop him right then and clarify what was going onbetween her and Isaac, but she failed to put together the right words.All she ended up saying was, "Thank you."

"Oh, don't get all mushy on me." Zachary laughed. "Also... weren't youoffering to treat me to a meal last time?"

Irene smiled. "Of course.”

At the Light Group offices, Isaac had just finished a meeting andreturned to his office when Stan approached him.

"Sir, I just spotted Ms. Spencer having lunch with Dr. Slate.”

"What?" Isaac wheeled on him, surprise clearly showing in his eyes."She's acquainted with Zachary?"