Chapter 3

William barged into Richard Lewis, the associate director's office, with Emily and the others. I followed close on their heels, arms crossed.

Before Richard could even ask what was going on, William launched in. "Sir, we need to address a serious issue with Grace's surgery yesterday."

Richard pushed up his glasses and looked up, confused. "What's the problem? The surgery went well, didn't it?"

"Success in spite of her actions," William snapped, looking like he wanted to throw me out of the department on the spot. "Grace abused her authority and forcibly removed Emily from the OR. She compromised the procedure and nearly got the patient killed.

"She's repeatedly targeted Emily, and now things have even gotten physical.

"This is a blatant violation of hospital policy, and Grace needs to be held accountable."

Richard nodded and shifted his gaze to me. "Dr. Shepherd, what's your perspective?"

Eight years ago, when I first started as an intern, Richard had been my attending physician. For a whole year, he was my mentor.

I'd never forget my first time in the OR—I was so nervous I almost backed out. But Richard kept encouraging me, calming me down, and guiding me until I became the confident doctor I was today.

I trusted he'd hear me out fairly.

"Richard, that's not how it happened," I began. "Emily took both the scalpel and the hemostat without authorization. She dropped the hemostat on the floor—"

I was ready to explain everything, but Richard cut me off abruptly. "So you struck her?" he interjected.

I stood there, stunned, my mind completely blank.

Before I had a chance to defend myself, Simon jumped in, almost too eager. "Yeah, we all saw it. She hit Emily," he said, backing up the accusation without hesitation.

I looked straight at him, hoping for even a flicker of guilt, but he quickly glanced away, avoiding my eyes.

A cold feeling washed over me. I covered for Emily so many times for him, letting her skipped night shifts and early departures slide.

If I hadn't lived through the disaster that followed a botched surgery in my past life, I wouldn't even be wasting my breath arguing with an intern.

But now, instead of gratitude, Simon stabbed me in the back?

Then Sean Grant, another doctor from Emily's team, stepped in front of her like a shield.

"Let's be real—that surgery wasn't even urgent," he said. "When the hemostat dropped, just grab a new one. No harm done. Emily only messed up because you were breathing down her neck.

"If anyone failed here, it's you. Blaming an intern? Have some shame."

Richard nodded, face set in a frown. "Under the circumstances, Dr. Shepherd, your behavior was completely unprofessional. Frankly, incidents like this reflect poorly on the entire hospital."

He glanced over at William. "I agree with William's suggestion. Issue a formal reprimand and begin the process of her demotion."

My mind reeled. I stared at Richard, completely blindsided and betrayed. He knew how dangerous Emily's actions had been. How could he pin everything on me and let her walk away clean?

"I don't accept this," I said, my voice trembling with anger. "I'm taking this to Carter."

Richard's face hardened instantly. "Grace, are you openly challenging my authority?"

William didn't waste the opportunity to pile on. "We all know she's Carter's pet. She's probably counting on him to make special exceptions just for her."

He shot me a look of pure contempt. "Do us all a favor and go back to your office. Stop making a scene."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. It was Ryan Lyons, the intern I'd been mentoring. A hardworking kid with real promise.

"Frank Quinn is here with his family to see Dr. Shepherd," he said calmly.

Frank was the patient I'd operated on yesterday.