"Is this your colleague?" Ethan asked, giving Amy a polite smile.

Sarah's ego swelled with pride. She turned to Amy and said, "See, I told you Ethan came just to pick me up. He can give you a ride home too."

"Ethan, this is my colleague.,We're on the way, so let's give her a lift,"Sarah said,looking at Ethan with hopeful eyes, worried he might say no.

Ethan frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded.

As soon as they got in the car, Amy couldn't stop admiring it, touching everything. She rarely had the chance to ride in such a luxurious car.

Sarah, however, was full of complaints. "Ethan, did you hear that Wendy got Alexander to help her out? Now the whole hospital is buzzing about their relationship."

"I just don't get it. How can someone with such a shady reputation still work at the hospital, let alone be in charge of the competition preparations?"

"What did you say?" Ethan's face darkened, and he slammed on the brakes. The car jerked to a stop, and the atmosphere inside instantly froze.

Sarah was startled, glaring at him. "Ethan, you scared me! I said the Turner Group has confirmed their sponsorship for the medical student innovation competition. I heard the preparation team contacted several companies and experts yesterday, but none agreed. Then this morning,we found out the Turner Group had already signed the agreement."

Ethan's lips tightened, his eyes cold and filled with resentment. 'Why does Alexander always have to mess things up?'

Back home. Sarah angrily complained to Juniper. and Lydia looked surprised.

"See, Ethan? You still don't believe it? You gave Wendy so much money.and in the end. someone else benefited!" Juniper stomped her foot in frustration, her voice rising.

Ethan's face was grim. He said nothing, turned, and walked straight out the door. Lydia softly called after him, but he seemed not to hear.

"Mom! I don't care. I want her out of the hospital! I don't want to see her at all! The hospita leaders value her so much, even putting her in charge of the competition. And Alexander is always protecting her.What do l lack compared to her?" Sarah cried, tears streaming down her face.

Lydia knew Sarah was fixated on Alexander. She couldn't help but picture Alexander's almost perfect,handsome face.

Indeed,such a man would make anyone's heart flutter, and the Collins family was no match for the Turner family in terms of power.

But for such an outstanding man to be infatuated with a divorced woman like Wendy was truly baffling.

Juniper, hearing Sarah's complaints, chimed in, "Exactly! You're beautiful and smart, while Wendy is just a tramp. Alexander will see through her eventually."

Lydia felt a surge of sarcasm. Sarah was not as pure-hearted or as naturally beautiful as Wendy, yet she dreamed of winning over Alexander.It was laughable.

"Sarah, I have an idea." Lydia said after a moment of thought.

Sarah stopped crying immediately, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "Lydia, tell me."

Lydia leaned in and whispered a few words in Sarah's ear, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

"Move up the birthday party? Will she come?" Sarah repeated, looking puzzled.

Juniper pouted in disapproval, raising her voice. "I don't want to see that tramp at Sarah's birthday party. No way!"

Sarah, however, was unfazed. She calculated in her mind that if Wendy came, Alexander would likely show up too.

And if he didn't, no one would be there to protect Wendy, making it easy to target her.

Besides, her birthday was only a few days away. Moving it up by a day or two to before the competition wasn't a big deal.

"Mom! I've decided. We'll move up the birthday party. Lydia,you have to help me. She might not agree to come," Sarah said, frowning.

"Sarah, think about what she needs most right now. Use that to lure her in," Lydia suggested gently.

Sarah fell into thought, muttering to herself, "What does she need most?"

"I got it! I know what to do," Sarah said after a moment, a sly smile spreading across her face as her earlier frustration vanished.

The next day, Wendy got up early and headed to the hospital.

Ivy had already secured most of the judges for the expert panel. Now, it

was up to Wendy to confirm Lyndon'sattendance.

With only five days left until the competition, she had to confirm Lyndon's participation within the next two days.

The planning team needed to arrange the schedule and seating based on the judges' lineup, which were crucial details.

However, after checking Lyndon's recent schedule and calling his assistant,Wendy received the same response: Lyndon's schedule was fully booked,and he couldn't make time.

She even tried to speak with Lyndon directly but was politely refused.

"Don't worry. If I can't get him, I'll let everyone know immediately."Wendy assured Ivy over the phone.

"That's good. Thank you, Wendy," Ivy's voice carried a hint of concern.

Wendy was at her desk organizing matefials when she heard a light knock on the door. Looking up, she saw Sarah.

Wendy's expression hardened, and her tone turned cold. "What are you doing here?"

"Wendy,you're a doctor at this hospital now. Is this how you treat your colleagues?" Sarah's face was full of mockery, her words dripping with hostility.

Wendy glanced at her indifferently andI responded slowly, "This is a doctor's office, a place to solve patients' problems and discuss cases. I don't think you have any medical issues to discuss with me, especially after your last visit disrupted everyone's work."

"You!" Sarah's anger flared, but she suppressed it, reminding herself of her important task.

Sarah pulled a delicate invitation from her handbag. The pink card, with gold lettering shining in the light, read "Invitation."

Wendy didn't even look at it, pushing it back. "You think I'll go if you invite me?"

"Don't be so heartless. I was wrong at the Turner family party, and I've already apologized. This time, it's my birthday party. I'm inviting you personally," Sarah sad,putting on a sincere act.

Wendy thought for a moment and then smirked. "Sarah, isn't your birthday next week? Don't forget, I've helped you with these events before."

"It was originally next week, but this year is special, so it's moved up.Besides, don't you want to come to my houase and see Ethan again?" Sarah's eyes gleamed with disdain.

She was convinced that Wendy still had lingering feelings for Ethan,and that Wendy's claims of indifference were just a facade to preserve her dignity.