Love on the Fast Track (Derek and Norah)

Chapter 145:

Norah offered a gentle smile and said, “Let's not linger on the past.” She preferred to leave those memories

behind. She was the only one who truly understood the depth of the bitterness and fatigue she had endured.

Kason, visibly moved, managed to say, “Okay.” His eyes softened as he looked at her. With a smile, he asked,

“Norah, did you recognizethe moment we met at the Glamour Club?”

“Yes.” As soon as Norah heard Kason’s name, she had her suspicions. Seeing him in person only confirmed her

belief. Although Kason had aged fourteen years—looking older but more distinguished—his features remained

unchanged.

“I recognized you when | saw you at the Glamour Club,” Norah explained.

Kason then realized the reason behind Norah's particular interest and occasional glances. He had thought they

were strangers, not realizing their paths had crossed long ago. “So why didn’t you say anything?”

After a brief pause, Norah replied with ease, “After such a long time, it’s hard to know what you might feel about

me. And you're the leader of the Hayes family. Bringing up those memories could have seemed like | was trying

to leverage your status.” She added with a hint of self-mockery, “Should | have tried to reconnect with you? |

prefer to earn your respect through my own efforts.”

Over a decade had passed, and upon their recent meeting, Kason showed no sign of recognition. Given their

different social standings, Norah chose not to bring up their past.

She had not expected Kason to remember her after all these years.

“Just focus on healing for now. We can talk more once you're feeling better,” Norah smiled and said. “I'll visit you

over the next few days for a check-up.”

gafnov[][s.com, your source for inspiration

“Okay.” Kason felt fatigued, attributing it to his age and the toll of his injuries. The brief conversation with Norah

had already worn him out.

After adjusting his bed, Norah made sure Kason was comfortable before she left. Upon opening the ward door,

she saw Kaiden and Spencer waiting outside.

“Have you two finished your talk?” Norah asked.

Kaiden confirmed, “Yes. Norah, what were you and Kason talking about? Did you two know each other before?”

“Kaiden, it’s not your place to meddle,” Norah replied with a brief look. “I'm leaving now. I'll visit him again

tomorrow.”

Watching Norah walk away, Kaiden whispered to Spencer, “There's something unique about Norah. Her

confidence in speaking to Kason is quite remarkable.”

Spencer, shrugging Kaiden’s hand off his shoulder, replied, “If she wants to keep her background a secret, let her

be. I'm off to grab sfood. What do you want? I'll get you the same.”

“Whatever you're having is fine by me,” Kaiden said, shifting the topic and cheerfully engaging with Spencer.

Jolie was outside Joanna's ward, waiting for Norah. She knew Norah visited this ward daily after work, so she

decided to wait here. However, Norah took longer to show up than expected. Jolie assumed Norah might have

been held up in another ward.

“Dr. Austin, what brings you here?” Norah was taken aback to find Jolie waiting at the entrance to Joanna's ward.

It was unusual for them to meet outside of work hours, especially since this area didn't usually handle heart-

related cases.

“I made my way here just to see you,” Jolie said.

With a courteous smile, Jolie explained, “I was hoping you hadn't left yet, so | decided to give it a shot.”

“What is it that you need from me?” Pausing in her tracks, Norah faced Jolie and said, “I'm in the middle of

something. Dr. Austin, if you have something important, I'd appreciate it if you could get to the point.”

The halls of Silver Boulder Private Hospital were quiet, with each patient having their own ward. This meant

fewer nurses and visiting family members milling about on the first floor.

Jolie glanced around cautiously before she began to speak.

“I understand you're in the middle of something, so I'll get right to it, Dr. Wilson. Were you aware that you were

the original choice for the attending physician role?”

Norah's interest was piqued. She had assumed that both Baylor and Jolie were in the dark about her being

considered for the position. “I was aware,” she replied.

“Do you know why Dr. Padilla got the spot instead of you?” Jolie leaned closer and whispered, “After you left, he

sent an anonymous letter to the director's office, and that’s what snatched the opportunity from you.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it is!” Noticing Norah's doubtful expression, Jolie quickly added, “I witnessed it myself. | followed him to the

director's office. | noticed you seem to think highly of Dr. Padilla, and | couldn't stand by and watch you be

misled again, which is why | decided to come.” With a flattering smile, Jolie added, “I just wanted to help you.”

“Wilson, I'm not looking for any favors in return. | merely hope you'll consider bringingalong for future

surgeries.”

Norah was initially baffled as to why Jolie, who seemed to bear no fondness for her, would cforward with this

information. After Jolie's explanation, it all made sense to her.

“Ah, I understand now,” Norah replied calmly, merely nodding in acknowledgment.

Jolie was taken aback by Norah's composed response. She had expected Norah to react with anger and confront

Baylor directly. Jolie couldn’t grasp why Norah appeared so unbothered. She speculated it might be because

Norah considered the position a lost cause and thus had no plans to act on this information. Jolie felt that, if that

was the case, Norah was too timid and easily intimidated.

In reality, she wished Norah would demonstrate the sresolve when confronting Baylor as she had with Alkin.

“Now that you're aware, Dr. Wilson, I'll be heading out.” Norah watched with a chill as Jolie departed without

uttering a single word.

Norah was baffled as to why both Baylor and Jolie would approach her, each pointing fingers at the other for

writing the anonymous letter. Norah couldn't tell if the anonymous letter was the work of one of them or a joint

effort. She was determined to uncover the truth.

“Norah, did you cby yourself today? Where's your constant companion, Susanna?” Joanna asked, looking

past Norah in expectation of seeing the familiar face but found no one. She had assumed Susanna would always

be by Norah's side.

“I'm not sure,” Norah said, curious about Susanna’s absence but not finding it particularly alarming. She

believed it was unrealistic to expect Susanna to always wait for her to get off work.

“Let's not dwell on her. Norah, please, take a seat,” Joanna said, her tone urging Norah to sit down. “Bryson is

about to leave. I'd like to speak with you.”

Bryson, feeling a bit lost, acknowledged Norah with a greeting and exited the room.

“Now, let's pick up where we left off, Norah. Between Mr. Hayes and Mr. Scott, who would you prefer if both were

competing for your affection?” Joanna's eyes lit up with curiosity.

“I've already made it clear. That's not going to happen,” Norah replied firmly.

“I doubt that,” Joanna said, shaking her head. She added with significance, “Those watching from the sidelines

often see things more clearly. I'm certain Mr. Scott has taken a fancy to you. And Mr. Hayes, he must have

feelings for you too.”

At the mention of Kason, something from the past flashed in Norah's mind. She cleared her throat before

speaking again. “Joanna, I've got a story for you. Fourteen years ago, | was just a little kid. Once, the small

village | was staying in cunder attack. | was quite young then, and the villagers, in their kindness, threw me

into the village's dry well for my safety...”