Chapter 1

"George Stewart, you're ruining the hospital's reputation! The patient's family is blocking the outpatient building, demanding an explanation!"

Reed Crane, the hospital director, was ashen-faced as he repeatedly rapped his knuckles on the desk.

Outside the ER, the area was packed with protesters holding signs that read "Unethical Doctor", "Justice for the Mother", and "A Disgrace to the White Coat".

Netizens were demanding that my medical license be revoked and that I be thrown in a cell. The wave of public fury was so massive, it felt like a revolution.

I gripped the medical record and defended myself. "That pregnant woman was turning blue and convulsing. It was clearly a high-risk emergency. My assessment followed the standard emergency procedure—"

"Enough!" A sharp voice cut me off. Selena Carson, the head nurse, stormed in, her high heels clicking as she held a stack of complaint letters.

"Mr. Crane, the online outrage is growing more intense. We have to punish George immediately to calm them down."

She shot me a disgusted look. "Do you still think you're not at fault? You've got some nerve!"

My chest tightened.

It was Selena who had shouted that I was "molesting" the pregnant woman in front of the family in the ER, causing the whole scene to spiral out of control. And now, she was twisting it around.

Selena slapped a disciplinary letter onto the desk. Her tone was final as she said, "Mr. Crane, I recommend suspension and an apology from George, along with compensation to the woman for emotional distress. I've drafted the documents. You just have to sign it, and it'll be official."

Reed hesitated but eventually signed.

Selena took the papers with a smirk. "To avoid further similar incidents, you'll be reassigned!"

She tossed me a set of caregiver scrubs and spoke with an air of superiority. "Clean the toilets. It'll protect you from medical disputes. If a single complaint comes in, you're the first I'll blame!"

As soon as she said that, a janitor wheeled a cart into my office. All my belongings, including years of my notes, were tossed into the cart and dumped straight into the trash downstairs.

I bent over and pulled my notes from the trash. My fingers gripped them so tightly they turned white.

I shot Selena a cold look. "That pregnant woman's condition was serious. I haven't finished my diagnosis yet. If it's what I think, only I can handle her treatment."

Selena sneered. "Acute cholecystitis, right? Please. I've already diagnosed her."

I frowned.

The woman's symptoms resembled a high-risk condition that was often misdiagnosed as acute cholecystitis. Unfortunately, I was kicked out by the family before I could confirm anything.

Years ago, my mentor, Bradley Grant, lost his wife to a misdiagnosis of this very disease. It left Bradley with a lifelong scar, so his students would never forget this condition.

Before I could speak, a commotion came from outside.

Selena's eyes lit up instantly. She hurried out in her high heels and affectionately tucked her arm through the man's.

"Dr. Walsh, you're finally here! Mr. Crane and the department have been waiting for you to save the day!"

When I saw the man's face, it felt like a punch to the gut.

That man was Selena's first love, Adam Walsh.

No wonder she had sabotaged my diagnosis, even spreading the false claim of me molesting the pregnant woman to force me out.

She'd been clearing the way for him.

Adam raised an eyebrow at me, a smug smile on his lips. "It's been a long time, George. I'm back. Your position and Selena should all be returned to me now."

Adam was Selena's first love. They'd been in a six-year relationship, from high school to just shy of the wedding aisle.

But when Adam went abroad for studies, Selena's family started pressuring her to marry, and I was the one she was set up with.

We'd been married for five years, living in mutual respect. I had thought she'd genuinely accepted me as her husband, but now…

I laughed bitterly. It turned out that it was all just to make room for Adam. She had never cared about me.

Reed made a big deal of announcing Adam's return, showering him with praise.

During the meeting, he patted Adam's shoulder. "Adam's been researching cardiology for 12 years. He'll surely bring hope to many more families! Unlike George, who molested a patient and brought nothing but scandal to this hospital!"