<h4>Chapter 54: You Are Fired</h4>


    Before anyone could respond, Nn immediately stepped forward, putting on a professional smile. "Ah, Dr. rk. It’s nothing serious. Just a minor disagreement between our new doctor and the duty nurse. You don’t need to trouble yourself with something so trivial. I’ll handle it."


    The man standing at the doorway was none other than Dr. David rk, Head of the Oncology Department and one of the clinical directors of Hope Specialized Hospital. Known for his calm demeanor and sharp judgment, Dr. rk had witnessed countless conflicts during his career. However, tonight’s visit wasn’t by chance. Just as he had been wrapping up his shift, Chairman Edward Miller personally called and asked him to immediately go to Ward 12B to assist someone named Eleanor Raynor, someone the chairman described as "very important."


    Though surprised, Dr. rk took the call seriously. Now, observing the group gathered in the ward, he immediately sensed the underlying tension. Still, he kept his tone level and professional.


    "I see. And who are the individuals involved in this... disagreement?"


    Dr. Annabelle Gresham stepped forward. "Director, I am the duty doctor here and one of the people involved."


    rk nodded. "Ah, yes. You’re the recruit I interviewed a few days ago, correct? The gold medalist from your graduating batch?"


    "Yes, Director," Annabelle replied respectfully.


    "Very well. Tell me what happened."


    Annabelle exined clearly and concisely, "I started my shift a short while ago. As I entered the ward to check in with the duty nurse, I overheard her speaking rudely to patients. I reminded her of her professional responsibilities and told her I would report her behavior. In response, Nurse ra Vane called her boyfriend, Dr. Nn Piers, who arrived and immediately threatened to fire me without listening to any exnation. All the patients here witnessed what happened."


    At that moment, Eleanor stepped forward to support her.


    "I can confirm everything she said," she said confidently. "Dr. Gresham acted professionally. Nurse Vane was the one causing trouble."


    Dr. rk turned toward her. "And you are?"


    "Eleanor Raynor. I’m here to visit a rtive who is admitted to this ward."


    rk’s eyebrows twitched slightly. So, this is the woman Chairman Miller asked me to look after. Internally, he sighed in relief. Having located her, resolving the situation became straightforward.


    Before he could speak again, Nurse ra Vane, who was visibly shaken by the direction the conversation was going, rushed to defend herself. "They’re twisting the facts! They ganged up on me! I was the one being bullied. Dr. Piers can confirm it!"


    She turned desperately toward Nn, who was silently fiddling with his phone, trying to call his influential uncle, Director Rnd, to intervene.


    Dr. rk looked back at ra, unimpressed. "Do you have anyone other than Dr. Piers who can support your version of the story?"


    ra went silent. She nced at the patients, but none of them met her gaze. She knew better than anyone how she’d treated them before.


    "I... I don’t," she muttered.


    rk folded his arms, his tone hardening. "Exactly. Dr. Piers is also involved and cannot be considered a neutral party. Dr. Gresham, on the other hand, is new. She just arrived today. Are you telling me she formed some secret alliance with patients she met minutes ago just to frame you?"


    ra shrank under his gaze.


    "No one else reported issues with the other nurses who’ve worked this ward. Yet, the moment you are on shift, problems arise. That speaks volumes, Nurse Vane."


    He let the silence linger for a beat before continuing firmly. "We built this hospital to be the best in the region. We will not let a few unprofessional staff members damage our reputation. Pack your belongings and leave. An official investigation will beunched, and you’ll be notified in due course."


    He picked up his phone and dialed quickly. "Please send a nurse from the emergency pool to Ward 12B immediately. The current nurse has been dismissed for misconduct. You’ll receive the official report by tomorrow."


    Then, dialing another number, he spoke again. "I need all avable surveince footage near Ward 12B, especially the one just outside the door. Also, I need clean audio from inside the ward if avable. The time is one hour before now. Please send it directly to the Chairman’s office. This is rted to a matter he’s personally overseeing."


    ra, stunned, copsed onto the floor. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. The triumphant look she once wore had vanished entirely. She looked like a child lost in the dark.


    Meanwhile, Nn had just finished his phone call with Director Rnd and walked back, trying to lookposed. But Dr. rk turned to him with the same steel in his gaze.


    "As for you, Dr. Piers," he said coldly, "you’re also dismissed for professional misconduct. You’re to leave the hospital premises immediately. A report will be filed tomorrow, and you will be contacted for the official inquiry."


    Nn’s face turned pale. "W-Wait! Director rk, please hold on. Director Rnd is on his way. He’ll be here shortly to resolve this. He’s the Director of Operations... you can’t fire me without consulting him!"


    rk didn’t flinch. He picked up the phone again.


    "Director Rnd?"


    "Yes. I’ve fired Dr. Nn Piers and Nurse ra Vane for unprofessional behavior."


    "There’s no need for you toe. If you have any objections, feel free to contact Chairman Miller. He is fully informed and authorized me to act."


    "Yes, thank you. Take care."


    He ended the call and stared at the stunned couple.


    "Why are you still standing here? Do you need security to escort you out?"


    Nn opened his mouth but no words came out. He clenched his jaw and stormed out of the ward. ra, sobbing uncontrobly, stumbled after him.


    Once they were gone, Dr. rk turned to Annabelle with a gentler expression. "Dr. Gresham, I’m proud of how you handled yourself. You stood up for what’s right, even when threatened. You’ve shown courage and integrity. I’ll personally rmend a raise in my report tomorrow."


    Annabelle’s eyes widened in surprise, her voice filled with emotion. "Thank you, Director. But truly, you were the hero today. Without your support, I would have been thrown out unjustly."


    rk chuckled softly. "I was simply doing my duty."


    Turning to the patients, he addressed them with humility. "On behalf of the hospital, I sincerely apologize for your experience. We strive to maintain high standards. Please assist in tomorrow’s investigation, so we can prevent incidents like this in the future."


    Finally, he walked up to Eleanor, his expression warm.


    "You were brave to speak up. Chairman Miller asked me to personally thank you. He’s on the phone now. He’d like to speak with you."


    He handed her the phone. Eleanor blinked in surprise, but took the call.


    "Hello?"


    "Miss Raynor," came Edward Miller’s deep voice, "I want to sincerely apologize for what you experienced. No guest should suffer mistreatment in my hospital. I assure you, it will not happen again."


    "There’s no need to worry," Eleanor replied calmly. "It was a minor issue. No one was hurt."