Chapter 2

"Are interns these days just desperate for commission?"

Victor Vance snatched the ultrasound report from Dr. Carter's hands and pointed a finger directly at my nose.

"It says right here in black and white: 'No obvious abnormalities.'"

"You open your mouth and demand a re-scan. You just want to scam us into paying for more tests, don't you?"

His spit flew onto my mask.

I looked at him, my gaze cold.

"The amniotic fluid is low. While it’s technically at the borderline, the fetal heart rate is showing abnormal fluctuations."

"For the mother's safety, a follow-up is the safest option."

"Bullshit!"

Victor’s mother, Eleanor, shoved me aside and stepped in front of her son.

"My son is a high-level executive who graduated from an Ivy League school! You think he can’t read a simple report?"

"You put on a white coat and think you can curse my grandson?"

"Keep this up, and I will report you to the medical board and get your license revoked!"

Ignoring her screaming, I turned to look at Chloe Lindemann, who was lying on the examination table.

She was an heiress to a massive family fortune, and Victor’s wife.

Right now, she was gently holding Victor’s hand, her voice soft and submissive.

"Honey, don’t be mad. It’s not worth ruining your day over."

She looked at me, her eyes filled with disapproval.

"Dr. Sterling, I know you residents have performance targets to meet."

"But my husband wakes up in the middle of the night just to brew organic herbal pre-natal tea for me."

"He even tests the temperature of my drinking water himself."

"How could he ever harm me?"

Chloe caressed her swollen belly, her face practically glowing with happiness.

"Your unprofessional scare tactics are honestly disgusting."

I stared at her.

In my ears, the baby's crying was growing louder.

"Doctor! It's poison!"

"It's so bitter! It hurts!"

"He's been poisoning me since I was tiny! And these past few days, he added an even stronger drug!"

"Doctor, please look at me!"

I gripped the medical clipboard tightly.

"Mrs. Vance, some damages are irreversible."

"If there’s really nothing wrong with your diet, why has the baby's growth stalled compared to last month?"

"Shut up!"

Victor suddenly snapped, shoving me hard.

My lower back slammed against the metal equipment cabinet. I gasped from the sharp pain.

"Ronald!"

Victor turned and yelled at Dr. Carter.

"Is this how you train your staff?"

"This isn't over. I'm taking this straight to the hospital administration!"

Dr. Carter’s face turned pale.

He glared at me, then immediately put on a fake smile for Victor.

"Mr. Vance, please calm down."

"Paige is new and doesn’t know the rules. I will handle this strictly."

Victor let out a cold snort and helped Chloe up.

"Let’s go, babe. We’re not staying in this trash hospital."

Chloe's best friend, Amber Davis, rushed forward to hand over her designer bag.

"Exactly, Chloe. Let's go to a private clinic. No need to waste time with this cheap doctor."

As Amber passed by me, she rolled her eyes.

They walked out.

The baby's crying slowly faded into the distance.

By the afternoon, a hospital-wide warning was issued against me.

Dr. Carter called me into his office and screamed at me for half an hour.

"Paige Sterling, have you lost your mind?"

"Chloe Lindemann is the heiress of the Lindemann Group, and Victor Vance is the vice president!"

"You offended them! Do you want our department to lose our annual funding?"

I stood straight.

"Dr. Carter, the fetal heart rate was indeed abnormal. I was only doing my job."

Dr. Carter slammed his hand on the desk.

"Your job? Your job is to follow my orders!"

"Starting tomorrow, you are out of the ultrasound room. Go to the inpatient ward and do grunt work."

"If you cause any more trouble, I won’t sign off on your residency certificate."

I said nothing, turned around, and walked out of the office.