"That was genuinely impressive,

" I couldn't help but marvel aloud.

"Even a layman like me got it crystal clear. And through Yates's explanation, I've come to appreciate the wonder and greatness of contemporary medicine.

",

"What's with you, looking all guilty like you've done something wrong?

" Fanny didn't bite at my attempt to change the subject, instead zeroing in on my discomfort., Leave it to a gynecologist to notice exactly what was off with me and pinpoint the reason behind it., I grimaced.

"Just a bit overworked.

", Fanny's eyes widened in disbelief.

"You're not serious? With whom?

", I could grasp her initial reaction, but her last remark kind of threw me off., I glanced around, relieved we were alone, and confessed between clenched teeth,

"With Derek, what do you think?

", Fanny pondered for a moment.

"Ernest?

", Her guess left me neither confirming nor denying, which led Fanny to nod and then shake her head in disbelief.

"I can't believe it. You and Conrad have been thick as thieves for a decade and never went there. And then Ernest comes along and swoops in first.

", I was speechless.,

"Did you make the first move?

" Fanny really thought too highly of me., I cleared my throat,

"It was mutual.

", Her laughter was mocking., I glared at her,

"Stop laughing. It was mutual, I didn't force anything.

",

"The important thing is, you ended up with someone as stylish and handsome as him. Not a bad deal,

" Fanny's words were few but shocking.,

"So, Dr. Willis, you've been so picky over the years, avoiding any man's company, because you thought only someone as outstanding as Yates would be worth it?

" I teased back., Fanny made no attempt to hide her feelings,

"Exactly. If I'm going to be with someone, I want it to be with someone I genuinely like and who truly stands out.

",

"Your Yates is indeed exceptional. It'd be a shame to miss out on that. You should tell him how you feel; you never know, it might work out,

" I encouraged her this time. Fanny grimaced,

"It's impossible between me and him. If I confessed, there would only be two outcomes.

",

"Which are?

", She paused,

"One, we get together, share mutual affection. Or two, it ends, and we can't even be friends anymore.

", I snorted,

"That's hardly profound. Isn't that how it goes for everyone?

", Fanny shook her head, a bitter smile on her face,

"For us, it would only be the latter. I'd rather not say anything than lose his friendship.

", Seeing Fanny like this made me realize her crush on Yates was deeper than I thought, potentially affecting her future relationships., Although I wanted to encourage her to be bold, everyone has their own path, and it's not my place to interfere., I didn't say anything further but looked back to where Yates had been standing, only to find him gone.,

"Let's go find your Yates!

" I suggested, pulling on Fanny's arm., As we turned, we were startled to see a man in a white lab coat standing right behind us., Fanny and I tensed up, unsure how long he had been there or how much of our conversation he had overheard., Clearly nervous and embarrassed, Fanny began tucking her hair behind her ear-a telltale sign of her discomfort, even forgetting to greet her senior colleague., In that moment, I took the lead, extending my hand towards Yates,

"Professor Yates, hello! I'm Felicia, Fanny's friend. Your lecture was really captivating.

" Yates briefly shook my hand, his gaze settling on Fanny's face., I nudged Fanny, signaling her to speak., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.