The Day the Hospital Made a Killer

Unexpectedly, Michael pulled out a divorce agreement as if he'd been waiting for this moment. "I was about to bring this up myself. Before Lindsey came into my life, I thought being with anyone was the same. But after she appeared, I've realized true love is different."

Michael and I had started dating back in medical school. After seven years of marriage, how could he tell me he had found his true love?

When I looked over the terms, it felt like I was losing it all. Even so, I signed without a second thought.

Liam leaned over and whispered, "Dr. Monroe, you're really taking a hit here."

I smiled faintly. Who was really losing out? That was anyone's guess.

In the end, Michael used my year-end bonus to cover the portion of Liam's docked performance pay. After that, everyone in the department avoided Lindsey like she was a walking disaster.

I assumed she would keep her head down for a while. But the very next day, the head of radiology stormed into my office.

"Dr. Monroe! What's going on with your department?" he demanded. "Who signed off on this head-to-toe full-body scan? This is ridiculous! The patient filed a complaint, and now it's all over social media. Our hospital's reputation is taking a serious hit!"

I took the form and froze. Someone had requested a CT scan for 24 body parts, and the authorization carried my electronic signature.

When I opened social media, the hashtag PrivateHospitalUnethicalDoctorOverchargesPatient was already trending at the top of the social news list.

The comments were brutal.

"Nowadays, going to the hospital just means endless scans. Doctors don't even examine patients anymore. They rely entirely on machines!"

"This doctor is insane for money. How can regular people pay tens of thousands for tests?"

"This doctor is Gwen Monroe, graduated from Camberton Medical College…"

I didn't even need a second guess. I knew exactly who could do something like this.

I locked my phone and went straight to Michael. "Michael, you helped her forge my electronic signature. This is a serious violation, and it's already caused significant damage to both the hospital's reputation and my own."

Lindsey stood beside Michael. Her eyes were red, and she twisted her sleeves nervously, looking like a frightened rabbit.

"I just wanted to help Dr. Monroe with some of her work," she said. "She's always so busy, and that patient seemed uncomfortable everywhere, so I thought I'd be thorough. I really didn't expect it to turn out like this…"

Michael rubbed his temples. He looked exhausted, yet he still spoke protectively on Lindsey's behalf. "Gwen, Lindsey used your account to learn more. She meant well but made a mistake. Besides, no real medical harm was done."

I didn't argue. I simply took out my phone and said, "If I don't get a public clarification and apology, I'll have the police investigate."

As I went to make the call, Michael rushed over to stop me. "Enough! Who are you trying to scare? I can make an official clarification. You have zero team spirit, and I don't think you're fit to be the department head anymore."

I slid the resignation letter I had prepared in advance across his desk.

Michael glanced at it but refused to sign. "How dare you threaten to resign? I haven't finished speaking. I just wanted to give Lindsey more opportunities to learn."

I smiled lightly and replied, "Of course. I'll be sure to give her plenty of opportunities."

After clarifying the incident officially, Michael began gradually sidelining me while refusing to approve my resignation. All the dirty, exhausting tasks were dumped on me.

With all the extra opportunities, Lindsey only managed to make a mess.

Sometimes she couldn't hit a vein even after eight attempts. Other times, she simply copied and pasted medical templates without even reading them—recording a basketball-related meniscus injury for an 80-year-old woman, or abnormal vaginal discharge and irregular periods for a 70-year-old man.