Isabelle hung up the phone and opened a group chat in the hospital. The ssages were already 999 , and as she scrolled up, she indeed saw a photo of herself and Jeffrey Foster. It was taken last night by the fountain; although the photo was a bit dark, it was still recognizable as her and Jeffrey Foster.
As for the person who posted the photo, Isabelle noticed it was a small account. But she didn’t have ti to fuss over who took or posted the photo. She noticed the other party not only posted the photo but also slandered her and Jeffrey Foster’s relationship and questioned the previous unfair treatnt of Dr. Will by the administrative departnt, accusing them of sheltering Isabelle. They also expressed doubts about Jeffrey Foster’s character and dical skills.
Isabelle remained calm when she saw what was said about herself, but she exploded when she saw the doubts about Jeffrey Foster’s character and dical skills. Just as she was about to reply, she heard a knock on the door.
She froze for a mont and realized she wasn’t at her ho in Rose Valley, but in the little nest Jeffrey Foster bought for them. The only person knocking could be Jeffrey Foster, and she had just woken up and knew without a mirror how unkempt she looked first thing in the morning.
Isabelle panicked imdiately and, ignoring the slander in the group chat, stood up to rush to the bathroom. However, Jeffrey Foster pushed the door open first.
"Not awake yet? You’re going to be late for work." Jeffrey Foster heard noise in Isabelle’s room but didn’t see anyone co out. After waiting for a while, he simply ca over and knocked, but there was still no response from inside, so he opened the door.
Isabelle stood opposite him, probably just woken up with a bare face, her hair a frizzy ss on her head. Her eyes were full of panic, making his heart clench, "What’s wrong?"
"Ah!" Isabelle finally snapped out of the shock from the man’s entrance, covered her face with a scream, and rushed into the bathroom.
Jeffrey Foster was left baffled, standing outside the bathroom, asking, "Isabelle, what’s wrong with you?"
"Don’t speak!" Isabelle looked at herself in the mirror and felt a fleeting urge not to live.
Jeffrey Foster thought for a mont and then understood, whispering with amusent, "Don’t panic, you don’t look bad."
Isabelle felt even more embarrassed after hearing this, and then she thought about the hospital situation. "We were photographed by the fountain last night, and it’s been posted in the group. Now a lot of people think you have character issues and are doubting your dical skills as well. You should go and see how to handle it!"
"Really?" Jeffrey Foster hadn’t expected to be photographed. He responded to Isabelle, noticing she had opened the bathroom door slightly and extended her hand to pass him her phone.
"See for yourself!" Shoving the phone into Jeffrey Foster’s hand, Isabelle quickly withdrew her hand.
Jeffrey Foster held Isabelle’s phone, looking at it for a while with a slight change in expression. He frowned and asked, "Would you mind if we publicize our relationship?"
Isabelle had just washed her face and was wiping off the water with a face towel when she heard Jeffrey Foster’s question, her heart skipped a beat, and then she replied with a slight "hmm."
Previously, she worried that exposing her relationship with Jeffrey Foster would lead to colleagues’ discussions, but now they were photographed and posted in the group as slander, publicizing the relationship was the best way.
However, Isabelle was still a bit anxious, feeling that their relationship wasn’t very solid, and was uncertain about what could happen after public disclosure.
Jeffrey Foster didn’t have these worries. He used Isabelle’s phone to invite himself into the hospital’s big group chat. After waiting for a bit and getting through the approval, he sent a ssage in the lively group, "Hello everyone, I’m Jeffrey Foster."
As soon as his ssage appeared, the group, which was passionately discussing him and Isabelle, fell silent almost instantly. Jeffrey Foster didn’t mind. After introducing himself, he left Isabelle’s bedroom, took out a red booklet from the coat pocket, covered their identity information and registration date, and took a picture.
The group mbers found it strange that Jeffrey Foster didn’t respond after introducing himself. While they were curious, so tentatively sent a ssage to greet Jeffrey Foster.
Jeffrey Foster still didn’t reply, and just as everyone’s gossip-loving souls were about to burst, eager to find out what Jeffrey Foster ant by all of this, he finally sent a second ssage.
This ti it was even more straightforward, starting with a picture.
The crowd who had been following the developnts outside the screen clicked on the content all at once and collectively turned to stone.
"A marriage certificate?" It was a nurse from so departnt who couldn’t hold back and asked first, with a big question mark at the end indicating uncertainty and confusion.
Others also revived, and their jaws almost dropped, "It’s a marriage certificate!"
"Oh my God!"
"This can’t be real, right?"
"Dr. Foster and Dr. Martin?"
"They’re married?"
"..."
Upon realizing this, the entire group exploded. None of them had expected that Jeffrey Foster and Isabelle were not secretly dating nor even a couple — they were married!
How could this be?
Countless people had this thought in their minds because, in everyone’s eyes, Isabelle and Jeffrey Foster were worlds apart.
Jeffrey Foster spoke again once the discussions had almost settled, "As everyone knows, doctors are very busy. I entered the international program hoping to see more of Isabelle. We didn’t announce it before because we thought marriage is a private matter, and Isabelle didn’t want too much attention. However, we didn’t expect baseless malicious speculation, and I hope the rumor-mongers will stop. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to use legal ans to protect my and Isabelle’s rights."
This wasn’t a long statent, but Jeffrey Foster explained everything clearly. He ca to the international hospital for Isabelle, and they didn’t announce their marriage because Isabelle didn’t want too much attention. He ended with a warning to the rumor spreaders.
After reading the ssage, everyone imdiately understood Isabelle’s importance to Jeffrey Foster. The previous malicious rumors collapsed on their own, and soone even forwarded Jeffrey Foster’s marriage certificate and this ssage to other hospital groups and their Facebook Circles.
By the ti Isabelle finished freshening up and ca out, Jeffrey Foster had already packed up and was calmly sitting at the dining table. Seeing her co out, he waved, "Have sothing to eat before heading to work."
Isabelle hadn’t brought her makeup bag, which made her feel a bit uneasy at first. Then she thought how, when he first regained his vision, she’d appeared even more disheveled than she did now. To feel uneasy now seed a bit hypocritical, so she picked up a sandwich, started eating as she asked, "Did you think of how to deal with it? Should I go and explain the situation to the director?"
"No need, it’s already been handled," Jeffrey Foster said calmly.
Isabelle was curious about how quickly it had been resolved, but as there wasn’t much ti left before work, she didn’t have ti to ask more. She quickly finished eating and pulled Jeffrey Foster along to get to work.
The two of them took the apartnt elevator directly to the underground parking, circled around to the hospital side. Because they planned to publicize, Isabelle didn’t avoid suspicion this ti, but unexpectedly encountered colleagues in the elevator who didn’t disdain them. Instead, their faces burned with the fire of gossip, but they didn’t speak out of deference to Jeffrey Foster’s intimidating presence.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Isabelle and Jeffrey Foster separated and headed to their respective departnts. Along the way, Isabelle could feel the various gazes from her colleagues — so curious, so envious, even excited, yet none of the disapproval she had expected.
Isabelle was puzzled about how Jeffrey Foster had handled the situation.
With this doubt, Isabelle stepped into the anesthesiology departnt. As soon as she entered, she was imdiately surrounded by enthusiastic colleagues. Her mouth opened slightly as she wanted to ask what was going on, but her colleagues all stretched out their hands towards her.
Isabelle was even more perplexed, "What are you all doing?"
"What are we doing? Witnessing PDA!" shouted a female colleague familiar with Isabelle.
Other colleagues chid in, "Yeah, witness PDA! Martin, you’re really sothing; you got married to the big handso Dr. Foster and didn’t notify everyone. Don’t you think you should be penalized?"
"Is Dr. Foster only a handso guy? He’s the top dog and a talent in the dical field. Is being penalized enough?"
"Right, not enough! My heart is broken; Isabelle, you watched fangirl over Dr. Foster every day, doesn’t your conscience hurt?"
"Her conscience is totally gone, she must treat us twice at least, right?"
"And she pretended not to know Dr. Foster, how terrible! Twice isn’t enough; it should be a week!"
"..."
The departnt was a cacophony, and Isabelle was initially confused, but quickly realized that Jeffrey Foster had indeed publicized their relationship. But she thought he would inform the leaders about the situation. How did everyone know about it now?
Soone noticed Isabelle Martin’s confusion and quickly showed her a phone, displaying how Jeffrey Foster introduced her in the group and then threw out a marriage certificate, ending with a screenshot of him protectively boasting about his wife.
Isabelle’s face first turned hot, then her eyes ward, and then she apologized to everyone with a cheeky smile, finally saying, "Don’t worry, I’ll definitely treat you all!"
But the others still gathered around, eagerly asking about the details of her marriage to Jeffrey Foster. Just as Isabelle was about to break down, Director Snow spoke up, allowing her to escape.
Isabelle breathed a sigh of relief and headed to Director Snow’s office.
Director Snow congratulated Isabelle with a smile, as if she wasn’t surprised at all.
Isabelle couldn’t help but ask, "Director Snow, aren’t you surprised that I’m marrying Dr. Foster?"
"What’s surprising about it? Every ti he looks at you, his eyes practically glue on, and you’re the sa! I’d be surprised if you two didn’t get married." Director Snow teased uncharacteristically.
Isabelle blushed, muttering gently, "No way."
"You’re just not aware of it yourself." Director Snow said with a laugh, then reminded Isabelle not to let this affect her work, and to focus on her job with Jeffrey Foster.
With a blushing face, Isabelle left the office only to run into the deputy dean coming to find her.
As Isabelle’s ntor, the deputy dean first tapped her head, "Keeping it even from your teacher, Martin, you’ve got skills!"
Recalling how she once told her ntor that she wasn’t familiar with Jeffrey Foster, Isabelle felt a sting of embarrassnt and took a step back awkwardly. However, the deputy dean didn’t pursue the matter, instead patting her shoulder with pride, "Martin, it’s impressive you bagged Dr. Foster! Try to make him stay with us here; I’ll give you a big reward!"
Isabelle, prepared to continue taking criticism, was left speechless, "..."
Throughout the day, Isabelle didn’t get a mont’s peace; she was either busy with surgeries or being observed like a spectacle by colleagues, known and unknown, from around the hospital.
Everyone was curious to see what kind of woman could snag soone like Jeffrey Foster.
Finally, soone sourly comnted that she was just ordinary.
Isabelle heard this comnt from a gossipy nurse and, feeling a bit hurt, ssaged Jeffrey Foster, asking if she was too ordinary for him.
The man didn’t reply imdiately; Isabelle put her phone away gloomily and began analyzing a case. After a while, she noticed an unusual silence in the office, looked up puzzled, and saw him at the door, smiling slightly at her.
Isabelle’s heart skipped a beat. Glancing at her coworkers, she saw them grinning at her, hinting with their eyes, which made her flush red. She stood up, whispering quietly, "Why are you here?"
Before Jeffrey Foster could speak, a colleague chid in playfully, "Dr. Foster took the ti to see his wife, what’s wrong with that?"
Isabelle was more embarrassed, giving her colleague a side glance, only for them to grin back mischievously, "Dr. Foster, it’s too much for Martin to keep you hidden away. You should co more often!"
"Maybe she thinks I’m not presentable?" Jeffrey Foster replied leisurely.
Everyone, "..." What a humblebrag?
Isabelle chided him, "Stop talking nonsense."
"Enough of this PDA!" shouted another colleague.
Isabelle felt even more embarrassed, but Jeffrey Foster opened the bag he was carrying and handed out chocolates and candies to everyone in Isabelle’s departnt.
But that wasn’t enough to stop everyone from unanimously demanding they host a dinner for them.
Jeffrey Foster cheerfully agreed, and the crowd tactfully left them their space.
Suddenly alone in the office, Isabelle’s heart inexplicably raced; it was their first ti being alone in the hospital during the day, especially after Jeffrey had handed out treats. She felt a mix of tension and excitent, "Dr. Foster..."
As soon as Isabelle spoke, she noticed her voice was a bit tense and hoarse. Jeffrey Foster teased her, "Still calling Dr. Foster?"
"Then Mr. Foster?" Isabelle felt too embarrassed to call him anything else.
Jeffrey Foster reached out and ruffled her head, "Is there a difference?"
Isabelle pressed his hand down, "Of course there’s a difference."
Jeffrey Foster held Isabelle’s hand lightly, playing with it, "Is there? Today I’ll let it go. Tell , who says you’re ordinary?"
Isabelle hadn’t expected Jeffrey Foster to co specifically because of this and was montarily embarrassed, "Well... a lot of people seem to think so."
"I don’t think so," Jeffrey Foster retorted earnestly and then added, "They’re just jealous of you."
Isabelle was first taken aback, then couldn’t help but laugh, not expecting Mr. Foster to be so conceited at tis.
But Jeffrey Foster was captivated by the girl’s smile and couldn’t resist leaning forward, only to be stopped by Isabelle’s fists when he was about to kiss her.
He looked at the girl, a bit displeased, while Isabelle pointed at sothing behind him.
Jeffrey Foster turned to see everyone, who had all claid to be busy, crowded at the door, about to break it down. As he looked over, they all guiltily looked up at the ceiling.
Jeffrey Foster, "..."
Isabelle was amused by his speechless expression, then urged him to get back to work, and only then did Jeffrey Foster reluctantly leave Isabelle’s departnt.
That evening, Jeffrey Foster kept his promise and treated everyone, not only from his own departnt but also Isabelle’s, and even sent a big red envelope in the group chat. Even the dean, along with Brandon Piers and Abigail, were taken by surprise.
Brandon Piers, hearing the commotion, teased Abigail, "Is this his house burning down?"
Having never seen soone so sarcastic, Abigail playfully swatted her husband, "Senior brother is simply swept away by passion."
Brandon lightly chuckled, "Swept away by passion? I think it’s an old ox eating tender grass."
Abigail laughed even louder, "Aren’t you the sa?"
She was still much younger than Brandon in age.
Brandon shalessly replied, "I’m happy to give Abigail a chance."
Abigail, "..." Where’s his sha?
.........
Shuangxi: Originally planned to end at three million, but it seems it won’t be finished. Should take another one or two Chapters.
Can’t stay up any longer these days. The doctor prescribed a bunch of ds; need a good rest after finishing.
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