Chapter 8: You're Flirting with Me

Elizabeth Black led Rupert Washington to the changing room. Before they even reached the door, Rupert Washington extended his long arm and pulled her inside, then shut the door and pinned her against the wall. The sequence of actions was smooth and fluid.

When Elizabeth Black looked up, she met Rupert Washington's gaze. He had his arms braced on either side of her, trapping her in place, forcing her to look into his eyes.

"Who am I?" Rupert Washington asked her.

Elizabeth Black scratched her face, "Husband."

"I thought you had amnesia," Rupert Washington raised an eyebrow, leaning closer, his face pressing nearer to hers. "Why are you pretending not to recognize me?"

Pressed against the wall by him, Elizabeth Black refused to back down, her eyes darting around.

"Aren't you also pretending not to recognize...?"

In the next second, Rupert Washington grabbed her hand, making a move to open the door, "Then let's go, we'll show them some affection outside."

"No, no, no." Elizabeth Black quickly held him back, "It would be strange to pretend not to know each other just now and then go out and hug and kiss."

She wasn't ready to face the public scrutiny yet.

Rupert Washington narrowed his eyes, examining her. Suddenly, he felt an itch in his back teeth.

He hadn't spent much time with Elizabeth Black, and his first impression of her was that she was very well-behaved, like a blank sheet of paper, easy to read. But as their relationship grew closer, he found that his wife was quite interesting, often giving him the urge to understand her more deeply.

"Is this fun for you?" he asked, licking his back teeth.

Elizabeth Black didn't answer; instead, she pulled him back, "Let me help you with your clothes."

She dried the disinfectant on his clothes and found a hairdryer. The warm air passed through the thin fabric and landed on his skin.

Rupert Washington caught her hand, "You're taking advantage of my vulnerability, thinking you can do anything because of your period."

Elizabeth Black looked innocent, "I'm not!"

Rupert Washington pinched her soft cheek, feeling it was as tender as a peeled egg. His throat started to itch, and he took out a cigarette, but Elizabeth Black pushed it back.

"You can't smoke in the hospital."

"I have a sore throat," Rupert Washington said.

"Sore throats shouldn't be treated with smoking. I'll get you some water later," Elizabeth Black warned, "Smoking is bad for your health, so try to cut down even outside."

Her tone was both firm and endearing, and Rupert Washington couldn't help but chuckle, "Okay."

"It's dry now," Elizabeth Black put away the hairdryer and straightened his collar. He still looked handsome.

"I'm leaving now, heading straight to the design institute," Rupert Washington said.

Elizabeth Black nodded, "Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Rupert Washington walked off briskly. Elizabeth Black touched her lips, where the wind had just kissed. Her cheeks flushed, and she stayed in the changing room for a while before coming out.

As soon as she stepped out, Stacey Charley and the others dragged her to the office. They surrounded her, looking her up and down.

"Come clean, what were you two doing in the changing room for so long?" Stacey Charley asked, full of curiosity.

The others also turned to Elizabeth Black.

"What nonsense, you guys are too nosy," Elizabeth Black replied, her blush still evident, which only made them more suspicious.

Stacey Charley analyzed seriously, "I think Rupert Washington looks at you like you're his possession. It's very natural and dominant."

"Exactly!" another colleague agreed.

Elizabeth Black: "..."

You should all be psychological analysts.

"Men really do like the same type of women. Did he say you look like Nydia Leighton?" Stacey Charley asked.

Elizabeth Black nodded. He had, a year ago. She didn't want to continue the conversation, but her colleagues persisted.

"Did Rupert Washington say anything to you?"

"Did you add him on Whatsapp?"

"Is there any chance for further development? He must not have a girlfriend, right?"

...

"Are you all so idle?" A loud voice suddenly came from the office door. The gossiping girls stopped and looked towards the door, seeing Will Tennyson, they all fell silent and shrunk back.

"There are patients waiting outside. Can't you show some responsibility? Get back to work!"

The girls scattered. Stacey Charley, pulling Elizabeth Black out of the office, couldn't help but complain, "It's a workday, and there aren't many patients in our department. The medical system is running smoothly, okay?"

Elizabeth Black nodded, agreeing. It was odd for Will Tennyson to lose his temper like that.

Before they could walk far, Will Tennyson's voice called out again, "Elizabeth Black, come to my office."

Elizabeth Black nodded, "Sure."

Will Tennyson was her mentor, so it was normal for him to call her.

"Go on," Stacey Charley comforted her, "Doctor has a weird temper. If he scolds you, just ignore it."

Elizabeth Black: "Mm."

Entering Will Tennyson's office, she felt the heavy, serious atmosphere.

"Close the door and sit down," Will Tennyson said.

Elizabeth Black did as instructed.

Before she could sit, Will Tennyson spoke, "Do you have any thoughts about Rupert Washington, who came today?"

Elizabeth Black was taken aback. She couldn't answer that. She definitely had thoughts about Rupert Washington, after all, he was her husband.

Just as Elizabeth Black was trying to explain their relationship, Will Tennyson suddenly said, "What's wrong with your brain, going after him?"

???

"Doctor, what do you mean?" Elizabeth Black asked.

"You know what I mean. Why would he compliment you for no reason? Why would you spill disinfectant on him?"

"I'm really disappointed in you," Will Tennyson said, looking pained. "You used to be such a well-behaved girl, how did you change so much?"

Elizabeth Black: "..."

Does he have a problem?

"Doctor, are you saying I initiated it?" Elizabeth Black asked, expressionless.

"Isn't that the case?" Will Tennyson retorted.

Elizabeth Black: "Although it's strange to discuss this, I really didn't."

Will Tennyson: "I don't want to argue. Just tell me, what do you see in him?"

Elizabeth Black thought for a moment, "He's quite good-looking."

Seeing Elizabeth Black admit it directly, Will Tennyson became even angrier.

"You only know he's good-looking, but you know nothing about him!"

Elizabeth Black found it amusing that a person with no connection to her was accusing her of knowing nothing about her husband.

"Then, Doctor, please tell me, what's wrong with him?" Elizabeth Black asked humbly.

Will Tennyson: "He has no compassion for women, he's cold, especially to those who throw themselves at him. He can be cruel, and you won't have a good ending if you get close to him!"

Will Tennyson spoke with such conviction, as if he had seen firsthand the cruelty of Rupert Washington toward some woman. This piqued Elizabeth Black's curiosity.

"What did he do?"