Chapter 3

Renee's eyes widened as she scanned me from top to bottom, then burst into laughter.

"No kidding. I'm here to file a complaint against her," she said. "It's Dr. Coffey I'm looking for. With that brain of hers, she thinks she can impersonate an expert?"

Standing behind her, I gave Robert a tiny shake of my head. He frowned, then tried to smooth things over in his usual conciliatory way.

"I understand the situation. Let me escort Ms. Olsen to dermatology for treatment," he suggested. "We'll cover all medical expenses here, and I'll handle Dr. Coffey's arrangements. Let's meet halfway and put this behind us. Is that alright?"

My mother slammed her palm on the table, disgust plain on her face. "Absolutely not! If you let a doctor without medical ethics go unpunished today, who knows how many more patients she'll harm tomorrow?"

She had always been obsessed with crushing me. When I was a child, she once accused me of stealing her ring and beat me savagely.

Later, when the ring was found in a drawer, she still looked down on me as if I were beneath her. "That's your fault for not finding it sooner."

In her world, I was always wrong.

I folded my arms. "I have no intention of apologizing to someone like you. I will cooperate fully with the investigation and expose your lies. My lawyer has already advised me to sue you for defamation. Expect the papers soon. And you wanted me suspended? Sure."

I unclipped my badge, turned it face-down, and set it on the table. "Mr. Franklin, don't try to persuade me. Just go ahead and process my suspension."

Renee hadn't expected such calm defiance. Her voice rose in fury. "Alright! At least suspend her for a month and issue a public notice as a warning!"

Robert rubbed his temples. "Everyone, calm down. Ms. Olsen, weren't you looking for Dr. Coffey to treat your daughter? If she's suspended now, what happens to your daughter?"

Renee's eyes widened. "What do you mean? Are you threatening me to protect a rookie doctor? Let me tell you, my daughter's case is extremely rare. Dr. Coffey should be thanking me for this golden research opportunity!"

I wasn't impressed even in the slightest. "It's all right, Mr. Franklin. No need to reason with someone who refuses to listen. I'm volunteering. Please proceed with the paperwork."

He remained hesitant. "I understand you're upset, but as medical professionals, how can we..."

Renee had completely lost her ability to comprehend rational speech. She held her phone high, showing the name flashing on the screen. "My patience is limited. This needs to be handled now, right in front of me. The spouse of my colleague works at the Health Commission. With one phone call, I can have them inspect your hospital. Your hands certainly aren't clean either."

Robert was speechless. "Fine, let's do it your way. Just don't regret it later."

The one-month suspension notice was issued within the hour and spread through the hospital like wildfire.

Renee looked at me triumphantly. I turned on my heels and walked out. Behind me, she was still demanding that Robert summon Dr. Coffey.

The next moment, she flipped over the badge I had left on the table. Her expression shifted as soon as her eyes landed on the characters.