The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 60

Leilani awkwardly tried to pull her arm away, but Judie, seemingly oblivious, held on even tighter. Resigned, Leilani gave up and followed her inside.

The interior was elegantly decorated with dark wood paneling. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows lay a meticulously manicured courtyard. Servers moved silently through the space.

The private room door opened. Libby and an elegant middle-aged woman looked up simultaneously.

“Dr. Sloan, please sit,” Libby said, standing up to welcome her with a smile. “Thanks to you yesterday, Judie is safe.”

Leilani nodded politely. “It was the right thing to do.”

“This is my sister, Judie’s aunt,” Libby introduced.

The middle-aged woman smiled, her voice gentle. “Hi there, I’m Letty Palmer.”

Leilani’s eyes flickered slightly, but she kept her expression neutral, nodding. “Hello.”

At the table, the atmosphere was harmonious. Judie chattered away, cracking jokes, while Libby and Letty occasionally asked Leilani questions about Medicine.

“It’s rare for someone so young to have such exquisite medical skills, Dr. Sloan,” Letty remarked. She had been observing Leilani since she walked in. Although Leilani looked young, her temperament was exceptionally steady. Despite her simple, plain clothes, her demeanor showed she was polite and measured. Moreover, facing the socially prominent Libby and Letty, Leilani showed no flattery or surprise, remaining calm throughout.

Leilani smiled faintly. “It runs in the family; I have to keep my skills sharp.”

“I heard you opened a clinic on Finch Avenue?” Letty asked. “Your own startup?”

“Yes, just starting out.”

Letty nodded, a flash of admiration in her eyes. “You have ambition.”

Libby chimed in with a smile, “Dr. Sloan, you’re so outstanding, I wonder if you have a boyfriend?”

Again? Leilani put down her fork, her tone slightly helpless. “I am currently focusing on my career.”

“Oh, focusing on a career is good, but you shouldn’t neglect your love life,” Libby said, beaming at Letty. “Right, Letty?”

Letty took a sip of red wine, her gaze lingering on Leilani for a moment before she suddenly said, “My son is also single, and about the same age as Dr. Sloan.”

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Judie burst out laughing. “Auntie, are you trying to set Dr. Sloan up with my cousin?”

Thinking about it, both of them had that same cold intensity. They might actually be a good

match.

Letty smiled slightly. “It’s good for outstanding people to get to know each other.”

Leilani politely declined. “Thank you for the thought, but my clinic is very busy. I’m afraid I don’t have time to consider such things.”

Letty didn’t press the issue, elegantly changing the subject.

When they left the club, Letty and Libby walked ahead. Judie pulled Leilani back so they could walk side-by-side.

“Dr. Sloan, don’t mind them. My mom and aunt are just like that; whenever they see an excellent girl, they want to snatch her for the family,” Judie stuck out her tongue. “My cousin… well, he’s actually quite a catch, he just has a cold personality. And since he’s always working and never dating, the elders are anxious. Don’t take it to heart.”

As Judie spoke, she carefully observed Leilani’s reaction.

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