**Chapter 145: Growing Suspicion**
A playful smile danced at the corners of Micah’s lips, a soft expression that warmed the air between them. “Feels really nice, thanks for sleeping beside me, Oriana.” His voice lingered on her name, wrapping it in a gentle caress that sent delightful shivers racing through her ears, like delicate feathers brushing against her skin.
Oriana felt an instinctive urge to shield her ears, as if to contain the thrill that coursed through her. Clutching the sun-scented sheets he had handed her, she pressed them tightly to her chest, seeking comfort in their warmth.
“I’ll go tidy up a bit,” she said, her voice slightly breathless as she clutched the blanket like a lifeline, and hurried back into the bedroom, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and uncertainty.
*****
Days turned into a seamless rhythm, each one flowing into the next as Oriana settled into her routine. The team had found their groove: mornings were filled with lectures, afternoons dedicated to clinic rounds, and evenings spent immersed in online courses. Though her days were crammed to the brim, everything felt surprisingly harmonious.
James had been uncharacteristically quiet, causing no disturbances. As for Luna? Oriana couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something simmering beneath the surface. Occasionally, she caught Luna casting her a glance that held a hint of malice, a fleeting shadow of resentment that made Oriana’s heart flutter with unease. She chose not to dwell on it, assuming it had something to do with the incident involving the two slaps that had left their mark.
Then, Friday arrived, bringing with it a sense of anticipation. Before the afternoon clinic commenced, a brief meeting was held. Deputy Zephyr stood at the head of the table, summarizing the week’s consultations, detailing the expert insights and the outcomes that had emerged.
As the meeting drew to a close, the deputy director’s gaze landed on Oriana, and he praised her for her recent performance. “Your effective treatments have garnered recognition from both residents and nurses,” he noted, his voice resonating with approval.
The other interns listened intently, and Zephyr reminded them to seize this opportunity to enrich their knowledge and experience. After the meeting, William approached Oriana, his smile warm and genuine. “Well done. You made me proud,” he said, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes.
As Cormac led a group of students away, William raised his voice purposefully. “Some people pick and choose a mascot student, but I’ve managed to find a real gem!” His words hung in the air, a subtle jab that was not lost on Oriana.
Both Oriana and Luna were students at Seabar University, and the tension surrounding their graduate school entanglements was palpable. Cormac’s expression darkened as he caught sight of Luna, who had been standing stiffly behind the others in recent days—knowledgeable in theory yet utterly clueless in practice. In comparison to Oriana, she simply didn’t measure up.
A wave of frustration washed over Cormac as he contemplated Luna’s shortcomings. It felt suffocating, like watching someone put on a grand performance without the substance to back it up. With a snort of disdain, he stormed off, leaving an air of tension in his wake.
*****
Oriana found herself in the restroom after the afternoon meeting, only to bump into Luna, whose expression was stormy, clearly troubled by something that gnawed at her insides.
With a calm demeanor, Oriana glanced at her before turning on the faucet, the sound of running water filling the silence as she reached for hand sanitizer. In the mirror, she caught a glimpse of Luna’s eyes, sharp and glinting with barely concealed hostility.
“Oriana, if it weren’t for the Sterling family’s wealth, would you have achieved what you have today? At the end of the day, you’re just a thief who stole my happy life,” Luna spat, her voice laced with venom.



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