Ungrateful Patients

Faye scrolled to a video where some self-proclaimed 'medical expert' was ranting about how expensive drugs are just a rip-off.

After watching it, the expressions of the townspeople around us completely changed.

The feeling of not being trusted made me deeply uncomfortable. Nonetheless, I also knew there was no reasoning with Faye. Besides, I had a line of patients still waiting, so I did not want to waste any more time.

"If you think they're all the same, then go buy it online yourself. I'm not treating you anymore. From now on, you're not welcome at my clinic. Don't come back."

I reached out to take the medication back. However, she clutched it tightly in her hands, looking righteous and indignant. "What's wrong? Feeling guilty and trying to destroy the evidence? Well, I'm not giving it back! I'm keeping it as proof!"

I was so angry at how shameless she was that my fists clenched involuntarily.

Just then, a patient behind her leaned forward and whispered, "Dr. Miller, it's almost my turn. My head's still killing me."

I stopped wasting words and physically pushed her toward the door. "Get out!"

In the end, Faye walked off with the medication without paying a single cent.

I thought that would be the end of it. However, the next day, when I rolled up the clinic's metal door, I stumbled back a step at the sight before me.

The clinic entrance was swarmed with people. It was so packed that I could barely see the street. Nearly everyone in town had shown up, young and old alike.

The way they looked at me had completely changed from the usual respect and warmth to anger and contempt.

"Give us our money back!" someone in the crowd shouted, and suddenly everyone erupted.

"Evan, return the money you overcharged us!"

"We trusted you so much, and you were secretly making dirty money off us!"

I stared at the crowd in shock, my mind going completely blank. "What are you all talking about? What money?"

Aaron pushed through the crowd, looking at me with an expression of pained disappointment. "Dr. Miller, how could you con your neighbors like this?"

He shoved a phone in my face.

On the screen was an article with a screaming headline.

[Exposing a Corrupt Rural Clinic: The Scammer in a White Coat Who Won't Even Spare a Five-Dollar Price Difference!]

The author listed below was none other than Faye.

The video had been maliciously edited, showing only the part where I took the 30 dollars and the final moment when I pushed her out. The accompanying text was designed to manipulate emotions, painting me as a greedy, unethical con artist with zero medical integrity.

The comment section below was an absolute circus.

[Doctors like him should have their license revoked and rot in prison!]

[He's so disgusting, preying on innocent rural folks.]

[Support the influencer for exposing him! Justice will always win!]

I was shaking with rage. "This is all lies! She edited it maliciously! In all my years running this clinic, when have I ever overcharged anyone? The treatments I provide and the medications I prescribe are all practically at cost. I only charge a small consultation fee! Sometimes when neighbors are struggling financially, I even cover the difference out of my own pocket!"

As I was speaking, Faye emerged from the back of the crowd. She was holding a selfie stick, livestreaming everything.

"See that, everyone? This is what a corrupt doctor looks like, still making excuses! If it were really a money-losing business as he claims, then why has his family kept this clinic open for so many years? He's not stupid, obviously; clearly, there's profit to be made, plus he gets everyone's gratitude and respect."

She added, saying, "The townspeople trusted him so much, and he has been playing them for fools this whole time... How hypocritical!"