Flash Marriage To The Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 73: Chapter 73

Hallie listened quietly as Declan spoke for several minutes. When he finally finished, she replied calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, Dr. Arnold. But with so many people in the hospital, if you show special favor to me alone, I'm afraid it might make others question your decision."
She had phrased it as tactfully as possible, stopping short of outright accusing him of abusing his power.
"Who would dare question me? I'm the dean, and I make the call here."
Declan gestured for Hallie to take the seat across from him, then continued, "Hallie, you're smart and capable. As long as you keep your head down and work hard, there'll be plenty of chances for you to climb the ladder here."
Hearing Declan's obvious attempt to win her over, Hallie frowned. "Dr. Arnold, I'm just a doctor. I only want to treat patients.
"As for climbing the ladder?" She casually tucked her hands into her pockets and shrugged, saying indifferently, "That's not what I'm after."
She stood exactly where she was, neither sitting in the chair he indicated nor stepping any closer. Declan could tell she wasn't going to budge, and a flicker of hostility finally broke through his previously kind expression.
Declan frowned and snapped at Hallie, "After all I said, did you get nothing?"
Hallie gave a light shrug, completely unfazed. "Like I said. I'll follow the process exactly as it's supposed to be.
"Special promotions or exceptions to the rules, those aren't things an ordinary doctor like me should be worrying about. Don't you agree, Dr. Arnold?"
Declan's face turned grim, and he was left speechless by her retort.
"If there's nothing else, I'll get back to work now." Without waiting for a response, Hallie turned on her heel and walked out, even making sure to quietly close the door behind her.
While waiting for the elevator, she caught her reflection in the stainless steel doors—her bright, striking features now looked cool and composed, her eyes calm and distant, carrying an air of quiet confidence and detachment.
'Did I really just talk to Dr. Arnold that boldly? No wonder he looked like he was about to explode.' Thinking back on her words, she didn't feel she'd said anything wrong.
Judging from Declan's behavior, one thing was clear—he desperately wanted her gone.
Just then, the elevator arrived. Hallie gave a faint, almost carefree smile, stopped thinking about the matter, and stepped inside, pressing the button for her floor.
Back in Declan's office, he sat glaring at the application form lying untouched on his desk, his face solemn with barely concealed hostility.
The rest of the application was already completed and even stamped with the hospital's official seal. Only Hallie's signature was missing, but she stubbornly refused to sign the form, throwing a wrench in Declan's plans.
"Hallie has been digging into the hospital's drug pricing and medical equipment costs," Declan snapped, pulling out his private phone and dialing a number. His voice turned sharp and cold. "Find out who she's been talking to, especially anyone in the government."
"Understood. I'll get on it right away." Hearing the firm reply, Declan slowly set down the phone, his gaze solemn and fixed in the direction Hallie had left.
He thought, 'Someone like Hallie—incorruptible and by-the-book—if she really uncovers the hospital's shady dealings with drugs and medical equipment over the years, then we can no longer keep her around.'
Hallie spent the whole morning absorbed in reading medical papers. After handling a few minor patient issues, she looked up and realized it was already lunchtime. She decided to grab a bite with Clarissa at the hospital cafeteria.
The moment Hallie stepped into the cafeteria, she could sense quite a few people glancing her way. But with so many people around, she paid it no mind, simply nodding in acknowledgment to those looking her way.
Carrying her tray, Clarissa nudged Hallie with her elbow and whispered under her breath, "Something feels off today. Why is everyone staring at us?"
"Really?" Hallie followed Clarissa's gaze and locked eyes with several people. "Huh? That is kind of weird."
Before they could look away, their eyes locked with hers, and they all froze like deer caught in headlights.
Hallie's mind was still partly on her afternoon surgery. But seeing the way people were whispering behind her back, she figured it must be about Declan trying to select someone for the exchange program.
"It's nothing serious," Hallie said casually, shrugging it off. "I already spoke with Dr. Arnold. We'll just follow the proper procedures for the application, and those rumors will fall apart on their own soon."
Hallie seemed completely at ease, but the moment Clarissa checked her phone, her expression turned oddly complicated.
"So... this is what you meant by the rumors will fall apart on their own?" Clarissa leaned in and thrust her phone toward Hallie. "The exchange program list is out, and your name's on it!"
Hallie's eyes flew wide open in shock as she stared at the hospital's internal announcement on Clarissa's phone. Her gaze fixed on the two bold, unmistakable words that spelled Hallie Levine.
Just ten minutes ago, the hospital had posted the finalized exchange program list on its internal bulletin, which had been reviewed and approved by Declan. And at the very top, the most eye-catching name was hers.
Hallie refreshed the page multiple times, but no matter how many times she checked, those two words still stood out in the announcement section.
"Something's not right here..." Hallie trailed off.
Seeing the serious look on Hallie's face, Clarissa also sensed that something was off. "Wait. Did Dr. Arnold really submit your name without your permission?"
As unbelievable as it sounded, there was no other explanation for it.
"It's worse than just not getting my consent," Hallie said, finally snapping out of her shock, her expression turning grim. "I told him very clearly that everything had to follow proper procedure, and that everyone deserved a fair chance for this spot.
"But he still went ahead and put my name on the list. What exactly is he trying to pull?"
The two of them exchanged a tense glance, both sensing there was more to this—a scheme brewing beneath the surface.
It was peak lunchtime, and the cafeteria was packed with hospital staff. Clearly, most of them had already seen the announcement, because nearly every head was now turned toward Hallie's table.
They kept glancing over at Hallie, whispering among themselves. Needless to say, they were saying anything good about her.
Even with her usual composure, Hallie felt an uncomfortable tightness in her chest under all those accusing stares. She glanced down at her untouched food and sighed inwardly, 'Looks like I can't continue with lunch.'
Just as Hallie stood up with her tray, ready to leave, a shrill voice suddenly cut through the cafeteria from somewhere she couldn't quite place.
"Having connections sure helps. The rest of us fight tooth and nail for that spot, but she just gets pre-selected. Well, with that vixen face of hers, it's no wonder the men fall for her," they said.
Even though the speaker only used "her" instead of a name, every single person present in the cafeteria knew exactly who they were referring to.
Hallie's steps came to a halt. She couldn't tell exactly who had spoken. The voice was sharp and filled with anger, so Hallie turned her head calmly and looked in that direction for a few seconds.
There were four people at the table. Under Hallie's sweeping gaze, three immediately averted their gaze. Only one woman glared back at her, her expression twisted with resentment, while jealousy and contempt were practically spilling out of her eyes.
The woman added, "I never said anyone's name. But if someone wants to out themselves because they feel guilty, that's on them."
Clarissa shot a fierce glare toward that table, then hurriedly tugged Hallie's arm, wanting to get her out of there. There was no point arguing with them right now.
Hallie tightened her grip on the tray. But then, unexpectedly, she let out a soft laugh. "This spot really is rare and precious."
She looked up, sweeping her gaze slowly over the entire cafeteria, meeting face after face before finally saying, "I believe this opportunity should go to someone who needs it more."