“So just because everyone’s saying it, that makes it true?” The female patient’s voice rose sharply as she turned to address the waiting area. “You all tell me this nurse claims Dr. Wilson assaulted someone and got involved in someone else’s marriage. Does that sound even remotely believable to you?”
“No way!”
“Absolutely not!”
Everyone in the clinic had seen Sydney’s integrity and professionalism firsthand. Someone who treated people with that much care couldn’t possibly be the kind of person they were describing.
The young nurse, clearly flustered now, snapped back, it’s not up to you to decide what’s true! That kid’s already in the hospital, isn’t he?”
“Dr. Wilson!” someone called from the nurse’s station, cutting her off.
The nurse immediately went silent. Her face flushed red as she turned toward the entrance.
Sydney walked in, calm and composed. She didn’t look angry at all.
She approached the nurse and said evenly, “Starting tomorrow, you’ll be reassigned to another doctor’s consultation floor. Once you’ve made your choice, let me know and I’ll inform HR.”
Then she looked around at the rest of the staff. “If anyone else wants a transfer, now’s the time to say so.”
“No…”
“We don’t want to!”
Everyone shook their heads in a hurry. Sydney’s patient list was always full, and the nurses under her command received the highest pay. No one wanted to give that up.
The toys full
Without another word, Sydney turned to the female patient. The woman, likely in her fifties, no longer looked indignant. Her expression had turned sheepish.
“Don’t listen to their nonsense,” she muttered. “I sure as hell don’t believe any of that garbage.”
Sydney gave a small, amused smile. “Alright.”
Then her tone turned more serious. “What did I tell you at your last follow–up?”
The patient hesitated, then answered with a guilty look “To stay in good spirits.”
“Then don’t let nonsense like this throw you off. A good mood is the best medicine.” Sydney’s voice was gentle as she offered the advice.
Then she slipped on her white coat and walked into her consultation room, calling in the next patient.
Midway through the morning, the same nurse returned, this time to plead with Sydney not to reassign her. The other doctors‘ consultation rooms might offer an easier schedule, but the pay was lower.
Sydney didn’t even look at her. She had never claimed to be nice–just a good doctor. Her refusal was swift
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Chapter 93
and flat.
+15 BONUS
By the time Sydney finished prescribing for her last patient, it was nearly 1:00 p.m.
As she leaned back and stretched her shoulders, Marcus burst into the room. “Syd! The surveillance footage is restored!”
Sydney raised an eyebrow. “That fast?”
The day Timothy had been injured, every camera near the fire exit had mysteriously gone offline. The police had hit a dead end.
“Yeah.” Marcus set a takeout bag on her desk. “You haven’t eaten yet, right? It’s from that new place nearby. Try it.”
“Thanks.” Sydney didn’t stand on ceremony. She opened the bag and started eating. “Did you watch the footage?”
Marcus didn’t answer. Instead, he asked, “Wanna take a guess how Timothy really got hurt?”
His voice carried a bitter edge–not toward her, but toward the situation itself.
Sydney took a bite of her gnocchi and swallowed. “Penelope did it?”
Marcus froze. “How did you know?”
“I guessed.”
He looked shaken, as if he still couldn’t process what he’d seen. “But even a wild animal wouldn’t attack its
own offspring…”
Sydney took a sip of her drink and met his gaze. “Marc, humans aren’t always better than animals when it comes to emotions.”
Sometimes, human nature was worse than a beast’s.
Marcus stared at her with even greater respect. She saw people for what they were but still chose to be kind.
That was rare.
He finally returned to the topic. “The audio and video clearly show you only went toward the fire exit after hearing someone scream.”
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