Memory Offering

I knew what would happen next, so I went straight to retrieve the correct medication for my mother.

By the time I reached her, Hugo "Insanely Incompetent Intern" Spencer was about to hand her a lethal dose of warfarin.

"Stop, Hugo! I don't recall assigning you to dispense medication," I called out.

His eyes avoided mine. "D-Dr. Benfort! I was just trying to help the nurses. They seemed so busy, so I thought… But isn't helping a good thing?"

I checked the drug and slammed it onto the table.

"You call this help? Administering warfarin to this patient would interact adversely with her other medication. And at this dosage? It's lethal," I snapped. "What will you do if you kill someone because of your recklessness? Can you handle the consequences at all?"

Hugo blinked, wide-eyed. "I thought a blood thinner was required after a surgery like this. I just wanted to help…"

I let out a sharp, sarcastic laugh and turned to Alex, who worked at the dispensary. "My mother just had surgery, and you didn't think to stop him from administering warfarin? Are you prepared to take responsibility if someone is harmed?"

Alex paled. "Oh God, I'm sorry! I promise I won't let anyone who shouldn't be handling our medications do our job again."

Hugo's eyes filled with tears. "B-But I was just trying to take some of the load off your back, Alex. Why are you pretending I wasn't? It's not right to gang up with a superior to bully me at work, is it?

"It's not easy to be an intern. Everyone treats us like scapegoats and cheap labor. Bullying me because I'm an intern is the worst."

A crowd began to gather, prompting Hugo to cry more openly.

Victoria arrived from the upper floor. She noticed the crowd and frowned. "Excuse me? Albert, what did this young novice do to warrant a public inquisition from someone in your position?"

My mother brightened at the sight of her. "Vivi, I'm glad to see you. This young man started it by giving me the wrong drug. That's dangerous, especially for someone as frail as I am."

"But did you actually take it, or was this just an honest mistake?" Victoria scoffed. "I don't see why anyone needs to act as if he caused irreparable damage when nothing happened. Live and let live."

Hugo raised his voice, making his sobs more pronounced. "It's all my fault! I shouldn't have offended you, Dr. Benfort. Please forgive me. I'll do anything to make it up to you."

His tears quickly swayed the crowd.

"Damn. I didn't think what people say online about interns being targets of bullying was real."

"Look at him. He's genuinely upset. If you ask me, he should be let off. He's learned his lesson."

"I trust the director's judgment. She wouldn't side with him if he were actually problematic."

I smirked. "Oh, you're on his side, Victoria? Fine. Then you can supervise him from now on. If anything happens, it's on you."

"Sure, I'll take him. What's the issue?" she replied, unfazed. "Meanwhile, you should apologize for bullying him."

I rolled my eyes and ignored them.