CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY SIX - Unexpected Choices

Dr. Fitzgerald froze, his mouth agape, staring down at his ruined outfit in disbelief. The room fell into a shocked silence, broken only by Sophia's small gasp of "Uh oh." Ella was the first to recover, leaping to her feet. "Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, grabbing tissues from a nearby box and rushing around the desk. Lucas quickly followed suit, pulling out his handkerchief. "Dr. Fitzgerald, please, let us help you clean up." Dr. Fitzgerald seemed to snap out of his daze, holding up a hand to stop their advance. "No, no, it's... fine," he said, though his tight voice suggested it was anything but. He grabbed a handful of tissues, ineffectually dabbing at the spreading stain. "I'm really, really sorry," Sophia piped up, her lower lip trembling. "I didn't mean to." Dr. Fitzgerald forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Of course not, dear. Accidents happen." Ella and Lucas exchanged a panicked glance. This was not how they had envisioned their interview goi