Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts novel Chapter 462

The conversation sparked Ines’ curiosity. She nudged Phoebe with her elbow. “Tell me, Phoebe, have you and Noel gone all the way yet?”

Phoebe remained silent for a while. Ines gave her a playful kick. “Cat got your tongue? Don’t play dumb with me.”

“Izzy, you’re such a gossip,” Phoebe retorted. Her voice was tinted with an edge of unease.

“I learned it from you. Remember when you used to pester me about this stuff? What goes around comes around, Phoebe.”

After a long silence, Phoebe finally spoke, “Izzy, is it really painful the first time? I’ve read in novels that it hurts so much you can hardly breathe. Is it really that exaggerated?”

Ines burst into laughter. “What on earth does Noel do that he’s so patient? He hasn’t swept you off your feet yet.” Ethan, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as gentlemanly and had his hands all over her, justifying his actions with the legality of their marriage certificate.

“Stop making fun of me. I’m trying to ask you something serious.”

“It’s not as bad as you think. The pain is bearable. It really depends on the guy, though. If you’re both inexperienced, the woman might struggle a bit. But you don’t have to worry. Noel has plenty of experience.”

“It seems there are some benefits to dating a playboy,” Phoebe grumbled, lacking enthusiasm.

After a while of coaxing answers out of Ines, Phoebe was finally reassured by the sound of her friend’s light, steady breathing. She sighed in relief, knowing that some sleep was better than none.

Once Ines was asleep, Phoebe exited the rest area and approached Lucas. “Did you manage to post it?”

“Yes, I did. The trolls we hired are starting to comment as well.”

Phoebe skimmed through the comments and messages. There was a small smile playing on her lips. “Good. I can’t wait to see how Silvia reacts to this.”

When Ines awoke, it was already dawn. She hadn’t slept well. When she walked out of the room, everyone was already having breakfast. Noel was there too.

“Ines, come join us for breakfast.”

“Why are you here, Noel?”

“I was worried about you guys, so I came to check up. Don’t worry about Ethan. Phillip and my grandfather have taken care of everything. He’s fine, just temporarily unable to get out. It won’t be long, so don’t stress out too much.”

“Thank you.”

Phoebe beckoned to Ines. “That’s enough, Izzy. You don’t have to thank us all the time. We’re all Ethan’s friends, so we’re just doing what friends do. Come on, join us for breakfast. We’ve got your favorite bagels and fresh orange juice. Noel lined up early to get it. Don’t waste his effort.”

Ines looked at Lucas who quickly assured her, “The post is taken care of. The trolls are already working, and soon enough everyone in A City will know.”

“I guess so.”

“Mr. Russel...”

Russel waved him off. “Matthew, leave me alone. I need some time to think of a counterplan.”

Matthew nodded and left Russel’s office. Silvia hadn’t slept well due to Ethan’s situation and hadn’t checked her phone or the internet, so she was oblivious to the news. She only noticed that the hospital staff were looking at her strangely. Their gazes were filled with contempt, mockery, and schadenfreude. It made her uncomfortable.

She quickened her pace and entered her office. After dropping off her bag, she headed to the restroom. She hadn’t even entered when she heard the whispered gossips. “Did you see the news online? Our new Dr. Caldwell is Russel’s illegitimate daughter.”

“Of course I saw it. It’s all over the internet. I always wondered how she became an official hospital employee in just three months. It turns out she has such a powerful support. She’s a privileged child of a government official, miles ahead of us.”

“What kind of privileged child is she? She’s nothing more than a love child born out of wedlock. That Mr. Russel, he does have a wife, you know. But apparently, his wife can’t have kids. That girl must be the product of one of his messy affairs, all for the sake of carrying on his lineage.”

“Very likely. Just look at her. She always grins from ear to ear and speaks in that sweet, girly voice. All the male doctors at the hospital are absolutely smitten by her. Probably it’s in her blood to seduct men. This is something we ordinary folk can’t compete with.”

“Let’s try to avoid mingling with such people in the future. It’s truly repulsive.”

Silvia’s knuckles turned white as she clenched her fists at her side. The faint sound of rubbing bones was audible. Her gaze, dark and ominous, was fixed on the two women in front of her.