Chapter 213

Lila Sinclair was quick to mask her fury, replacing it with a wounded, pitiful expression.

Her voice trembled with feigned hurt as she whispered, "Evelyn, isn't this... a little excessive?"

Evelyn Hartley tilted her head, her wide eyes the picture of innocence. "Excessive? You were the one who insisted on staying at the hospital. I merely proposed a solution. If you find it unfair, perhaps you should consider resigning now."

Her lips curled into a razor-sharp smile, slicing through Lila's composure like a blade.

For a fleeting second, Lila's mask slipped. She was speechless. The realization struck her—Evelyn wasn't offering kindness. This was calculated humiliation.

She had two choices: endure indefinite disgrace as a perpetual intern, or walk away in total defeat.

Then, Sebastian Holloway's commanding voice cut through the tension. "Evelyn's terms are more than reasonable. Lila, the decision is yours. Take the night to think it over. I expect your answer by tomorrow morning. Meeting adjourned."

Without waiting for a response, Sebastian stood and strode out. The others followed, rising in unison.

One by one, they turned to Evelyn, offering warm congratulations. Each word was another stab at Lila's pride.

Beneath the table, her fists clenched until her knuckles turned white. Jealousy and resentment burned inside her, threatening to erupt.

Unable to bear another second, Lila fled the hospital early. She locked herself in her bedroom the moment she got home, collapsing into uncontrollable sobs.

When Diana Prescott called Victor Sterling to relay the news, he rushed home immediately.

"Lila, open this door!" Victor demanded, knocking urgently. "What happened? Why are you crying like this?"

Diana stood behind him, her brow furrowing as realization dawned. "Lila," she called, voice sharpening, "wasn't today your evaluation against Evelyn? Did you... lose?"

The question hung heavily in the air. Victor's expression darkened in understanding.

His knocks grew more insistent. "Lila, is that it? Did Evelyn beat you? Open up and tell us!"

Minutes ticked by before the door finally creaked open.

Lila emerged, her face blotchy and eyes swollen from crying. The moment she saw Diana, she crumbled.

She threw herself into her mother's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Mom," she choked out between ragged breaths, "I lost. Evelyn humiliated me. I lost everything!"

Diana and Victor exchanged stunned glances.

So it was true.

Their daughter had been utterly defeated by Evelyn Hartley.