Chapter 4

The day the verdict was announced, the sky was gloomy and overcast.

They held an internal meeting in the hospital's main conference room.

The room was filled with hospital leaders and department heads.

I sat in the farthest corner of the last row, feeling like a prisoner waiting to be judged.

At the meeting, Steve read out a report that was over ten pages long.

The report laid out every single one of my so-called "crimes" in painstaking detail.

There were witnesses and physical evidence.

The logic was airtight, and the conclusion was crystal clear.

Steve read, "After a thorough investigation, it has been confirmed that Taylor Garcia, head of the Cardiology Department, repeatedly took bribes from patients and their families during her tenure, totaling over 25,000 dollars.

"Her actions have seriously violated the Medical Board of Reelington as well as our hospital's regulations, causing an extremely adverse social impact.

"After joint deliberation by the hospital and the city's Department of Public Health, the following measures will be taken."

Steve paused, adjusted his glasses, and read out my sentence in a cold, emotionless voice.

"First, Taylor Garcia is relieved of her duties as head of the Cardiology Department.

"Second, she will receive a major administrative penalty.

"Third, her medical qualification and license to practice are revoked.

"Fourth, all illicit funds will be confiscated. Since her family voluntarily surrendered the money, no criminal liability will be pursued."

The room fell into a suffocating silence.

All eyes were on me.

I could see Linda's lips curling into a smug smile.

I caught looks of sympathy, pity, and indifference from the other department heads.

My medical credentials were revoked.

For a doctor, that was the harshest penalty one could get.

It meant I was stripped of my right to practice medicine.

Everything I'd learned, every ounce of effort, every sacrifice over fifteen years, was erased in a single moment.

I was not a doctor anymore.

Now, I was only an ordinary person, nailed to the wall of shame for all to see.

After Steve finished reading, the silence lingered in the room.

Warren stood up.

His face was pale, lips parted as if he wanted to say something.

But in the end, he stayed silent. He cast a look in my direction, his eyes filled with resignation and fatigue.

Then, Warren himself took a document and slowly walked toward me.

He stood before me and stopped.

"Taylor," Warren said, his voice rough and strained, "please surrender your medical license."

I looked at him—my mentor, the one who had admired me most and always lifted me up.

Now, he had to personally take back the thing I treasured most in life.

I knew he was hurting even more than I was.

I didn't make it any harder for him.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my medical license.

There was my photo on it. I was still young back then, and my eyes were bright and full of dreams for the future.

I gently ran my fingers over the golden national emblem embossed on the cover.

Then, I looked up at Warren and gave it to him.

"Here it is," I said in a calm voice.

Warren reached out and took the license from me.

His hand trembled slightly.

At that moment, it felt like the most important thing in my life was quietly taken from me.

My whole body felt hollow, like something vital had been ripped out of me.

Then, I reached into another pocket and pulled out my employee badge and my white coat.

That white coat I'd worn for fifteen years faded from years of washing, with the pocket edges worn thin.

I folded it neatly and placed it alongside my badge on the empty seat next to me.

Once I was done, I stood up.

I didn't look at anyone.

I didn't bother to defend myself.

I stood tall, turned around, and headed for the door.

Step by step, I walked toward the door.

With unwavering determination, I didn't look back.

I could hear someone shifting their chair behind me.

It sounded like someone wanted to call out and stop me.

But I didn't stop.

I pushed open the heavy doors of the conference room.

The hallway outside was packed with colleagues who'd come to watch the drama unfold.

As soon as they saw me, the chatter died down instantly, and they all stepped aside to make way for me.

I didn't look at anyone as I walked right through the crowd.

I made my way down the inpatient ward hallway I knew so well.

I passed the ER where I'd spent countless days and nights fighting to save lives.

I walked through the hospital lobby, the place where my name had been dragged through the mud.

Sunlight poured in through the glass doors, so bright that it almost hurt my eyes.

I squinted, giving one final glance at the place I'd given all my youth and heart to.

Then, without looking back, I walked out.

I gave the best fifteen years of my life to this place.

Today, I buried them here, along with my credentials, my honor, and everything I once had.

I didn't cry or throw a tantrum.

I knew tears and meltdowns were what weak people resort to.

And I was not weak.

I was just a loser who got betrayed and cast aside.

But even losers had their own dignity.

From this day forward, Dr. Garcia was gone.

All that was left was Taylor, waiting for revenge.