Chapter 15

N O E L L E

“W-What did you just say?!” Levi exclaimed. He got furious instantly after hearing my reason.

I gulped as I walked over to him. “I’ve been experiencing sexual assault these past few months in this hospital,” I said.

Levi did not utter a single word for a few minutes while looking intently into my face. It looks like he is trying to process what I just said. I know it’s not that easy to accept since it is a serious crime.

I studied his expression, and a question popped into my head. I wonder how we will react once he discovers what happened to me almost seven years ago. I wonder what he will say. I wonder what he will do about it.

“Are you alright? Did you hear what I say?” I asked.

“W-Who? Who did it to you!?” He shouted, and his voice filled the whole room. I looked at him worriedly as his expressions changed. His eyes suddenly darkened, and the veins on his forehead and fist were popping out. He’s furious.

I look at Maxwell worriedly. Should I still tell him about it? I’m afraid of what he can do to Doctor Roberts. I mean, I want him to stop doing his malicious acts, but I don’t want the public to know about it. I am a parent too. I don’t want his children to know about their father’s crime. They will suffer the most.

“Who was it, Noelle?!” I was startled by Levi’s shout again. I knew he would react this way. I sighed as I made up my mind.  I hope Doctor Roberts is aware of the consequence of his actions, and I feel sorry for his wife and children.

“It’s Doctor Will Roberts, our neurosurgery department head,” I said as I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Why did you not tell me about him sooner?! Why did you let him do it to you!? You should have reported him!” He explodes in anger. He is pacing back and forth while breathing heavily.

“He is friends with the previous CEO, and he is very influential in the hospital. He can make me a liar and kick me out of the hospital. I cannot guarantee that I would win against him.” I explained. “It’s the reason why I want to avoid him.”

Levi smirked. “I will fire him and file a case against him. It’s the best thing to do, Noelle.” He said.

“A-Are you sure? He is one of the best neurosurgeons in the country.” I said.

“The best, huh. No hospital will accept Doctor Roberts once we file our case against him.” He said with a dangerous tone.

“We tried to ask for a copy of CCTV before to use as evidence against him, but the management did not grant our request. I think Doctor Roberts has something to do with it.” Maxwell said.

“Now that I am the CEO, I can do whatever I want. Let’s see how the doctor will beg for forgiveness.” Levi said, but I still felt uneasy about it.

I am worried about what other people might think and what they could accuse me of. Doctor Roberts is known for being kind and gentle with all the hospital staff and patients. I wonder if they would believe me.

“Are you sure about it?” I looked at them worriedly. “Is there any other way to resolve this issue?” I asked. “Kicking him out of the hospital and filing a criminal case against him will create a big fuss inside and outside of the hospital. It might drag the name of the hospital into this mess. Don’t you think it won’t affect our patients’ trust in us?”

I said all the things that might happen after we reveal Doctor Roberts’ malicious acts. It will affect all of us. I don’t want Noah to know about it. I am scared he might discover about it. I don’t want him to get hurt.

“I don’t care about how it might affect the hospital. I will hire the best lawyers and the best legal teams in the country. I will make sure the marketing team will work their ass off just to gain more patients. I don’t care all about it as long as that asshole will put behind bars.”  Levi said with full of confidence and authority.

“I know you are worried about his family, Elle.” I looked at Maxwell. I’ve already told him about it before. He knows my worry. “However, don’t you think we are helping them too by revealing the true personality of Doctor Roberts? They should know what he was doing.” He said.

I slumped on the couch as I brushed my hair through my fingers. Yes, I am frustrated. “It seems like I don’t have any choice then,” I said.

“Stop worrying about them. Prioritize yourself first, will you?!” Levi exclaimed. “You did not change at all, Noelle.” He commented. Maxwell and I looked at each other as we both shook our heads.

“Let’s do it.” I stood up and worked over to him. “Please help me, sir. I will file an official complaint and case against Doctor Will Roberts.” I said, and they both nodded.

After that, Maxwell left to check his patients while I stayed with Levi as we waited for his lawyers and legal teams. I was sitting anxiously on the couch while he continued his work.

“T-Thank you,” I uttered while staring at my lap. “As CEO and employee, we both know that what you are doing is too much, and I appreciate it,” I said.

“I am doing it as a CEO and as your ex-fiancé.” He answered, and that made me look at him. “Also, I don’t want you to leave the hospital, that is why I am doing it.” He added, and I chuckled.

I know Levi is not a bad guy. It was just that our situation almost seven years ago was terrible. It’s the reason I cannot blame him for everything that happened.

“If I did not leave almost seven years ago, do you think we are still together?” I was taken aback by his question. I did not expect to hear it in this kind of situation. “That question kept haunting me since I came back.” He said as he rested his back on the chair.

I sighed before shrugging my shoulder. “I don’t know. We were getting along and happy, but the relationship was not complete without difficulty. I think our relationship and feelings for each other are not enough to overcome that obstacle, that’s why we are in this situation right now.” I explained.

He slowly nods while staring at a blank space. “Yeah. You are right. I was weak.” He said. “Maxwell’s feelings for you are stronger than mine.” He added.

I chuckled as I remembered some scenes from the past. “Maxwell was the reason why you decided to show up in our school nine years ago, right?”

“W-What?” He asked innocently as his adam’s apple moved up and down. Oh. I know you, Levi. You cannot deny it.

“Maxwell was a famous singer back then, and a rumor about our relationship was all over the news, and you saw it. You felt threatened, right?” I asked while smiling. I always find it fun to tease him. He cannot hide his embarrassment.

“W-What are you talking about?” He asked, denying my accusation.

“You know there’s no point in denying it, Levi. There was another rumor that spread at that time. It was when Maxwell picked me up at the café where I was working as a part-timer, and we had dinner. That rumor made you come over to school again and accused me of dating Maxwell while I was engaged to you. Gosh, Levi! You sounded like a jealous fiancé back then.” I said while chuckling.

“W-Will you stop?!” He shouted while covering his eyes using his hand.

“I even told you that you have the freedom to date someone else since I was just your last option fiancée. You knew I wasn’t taking the contract seriously. You suddenly got mad and confessed! OMG, Levi Alexander Mitchell. You were so freaking annoying that time.” I said as I laughed. Remembering those moments made me happy.

“What the fuck, Noelle Lewis?! I did not confess!” He said while blushing.

“You did! Oh wait, you proposed! Yes, that’s the right word.” I said.

“P-Proposed?! Me?! I did not do it!” He yelled.

“You did propose, Levi. Let me say the exact words that you said,” I said as I copied his facial expression when he was delivering his line. “I’m serious about marrying you after you graduate, so you better keep your distance from Maxwell, or else I’m going to destroy his career.” His eyes widened in shock as I burst into laughter.

“You still remember every word I said?!” He shouted, and I nodded while laughing. “You are a freak.” He commented. “So, it was memorable enough for you to remember every word?” He said while smirking. I was always amazed how he could change his expression so easily.

“It was memorable since you just left me speechless and flabbergasted. You did not even wait for my response.” I said.

“What would be your response then?” He asked while smirking.

“If you asked me that time, I would say no,” I said as I chuckled. “My priority was my study and to become a doctor, so it’s a no,” I said.

“How many times do you want to hurt me, Noelle?” He said while glaring at me, and I laughed at his reaction.

Looking back on our past is not that bad at all. If I just caught those memories with video, I still wanted to watch it again.