Chapter 3

Instantly, the crowd erupted in discussion.

I could feel various gazes sweeping over me—curious, contemptuous, eager to watch the drama unfold.

But I simply stood there, watching Fiona coldly, watching her perform with such effort.

Just then, a series of urgent footsteps approached.

"What's going on here? Making such a racket first thing in the morning—what kind of behavior is this!"

The department head had arrived.

He'd been passing by when he heard the commotion and came over with a furrowed brow.

Fiona acted as if she'd found her savior.

She immediately dropped her aggressive posture and rushed to the department head, her eyes brimming with tears as she pointed at me.

"Chief! Your timing couldn't be better! You must seek justice for the hospital, for us honest, hardworking nurses!"

Fiona choked up as she handed the phone to the department head.

"Look at this! Christie... she's just too much!"

"As a doctor, she's carrying on with these shameful activities in the examination room, having inappropriate relationships with so many patients' families!"

The department head took the phone and glanced at the group chat messages on the screen.

When he looked at me again, his eyes clearly showed disgust.

"Christie! This is absolutely outrageous! As a doctor, where is your medical ethics?"

"Where is your professional integrity? What is all this? You've completely disgraced the hospital!"

I didn't defend myself. I didn't even blink.

Seeing my attitude, Fiona became even more emboldened.

"Chief, she was also reported by patients before, which is why I closed her appointment slots."

"Now she's gotten even worse, acting like she's so capable!"

She embellished the story, bringing up the incident when I'd contacted the director, conveniently leaving out that she'd been the one who tampered with the system first.

"People like this should be fired immediately, or else our hospital's reputation will be ruined by her!"

The department head's face turned iron-gray.

He glanced at the crowd of onlookers, then at my expressionless face, and finally slammed his hand on the desk.

"Suspension! Christie, you're suspended for one week effective immediately. Go home and write a thorough self-criticism and reflect deeply!"

"After one week, we'll hold a hospital meeting to discuss this further and make a final decision!"

"Until then, you are not to set foot in the examination room!"

The declaration caused an uproar.

Everyone expected me to resist fiercely, or at least defend myself.

After all, while I didn't talk much at the hospital normally, I was always decisive in my actions, and my skills were universally recognized as top-tier.

This kind of punishment was undoubtedly a deep humiliation for me.

However, I simply walked straight to the desk and picked up my phone.

Then, in front of everyone, I pressed the option to "Dissolve Group Chat."

Finally, I said coldly: "I apologize."

Apologize? To whom? For what?

I didn't give anyone time to react. I simply dropped those words lightly and left the hospital.