I Stopped Loving Him When He Let Me Bleed Out novel Chapter 17

Isaac stood at the far end of the hallway, with Director Dayton trailing nervously behind him.

He walked forward at a deliberate, measured pace, his dress shoes clicking sharply against the tile.

Sawyer's face drained of color.

"Director Holloway, what brings you down here..."

"I authorized the surgery." Isaac stopped right in front of him. "Unauthorized intervention? Are you referring to me?"

Sawyer's sycophantic smile froze.

"No, sir. I didn't mean that. I wasn't aware you had..."

"Weren't aware?" Isaac's gaze was lethal. "The audit isn't even complete, and you dragged a disciplinary team down here to publicly crucify one of our doctors. Director Sawyer, does your 'lack of awareness' stem from sheer incompetence, or calculated malice?"

A thin layer of sweat broke out on Sawyer's forehead.

"Director Holloway, I was merely following protocol..."

"Protocol?" Isaac kept his voice low, but the authority in it was crushing. "First, until an investigation yields proof of wrongdoing, Dr. Sterling's medical license and privileges remain fully active. Second, a surgical authorization signed by an executive does not require retroactive approval from your office. Third, a Deputy Director of Medical Affairs has absolutely no right to scream 'your career is over' at a surgeon who just walked out of a successful operation."

The hallway was so quiet that the faint, rhythmic beeping of an EKG machine could be heard from down the hall.

Sawyer's thinning hair clung damply to his scalp.

His mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.

Isaac turned his attention to the growing crowd of medical staff gathering around them.

There were dozens now, and more were stopping to listen.

"Since everyone is here, let me clarify a few things."

He didn't shout, but his voice carried effortlessly.

"First, the health commission has completed a preliminary review of Dr. Sterling's data. It is entirely authentic. The formal audit concludes today, and the only finding is that her record is spotless."

He paused, letting the words sink in.

"Second, effective immediately, Dr. Sterling's schedule is restored to normal. Assigning a doctor seven consecutive night shifts is a malicious abuse of scheduling power and has been corrected."

"Third." His gaze swept over the crowd, daring anyone to meet his eyes. "Regarding the vicious rumors circulating about Dr. Sterling. I don't care who started them, but they end today. If I hear one more word of this slander, you can come to my office and explain it to me personally."

You could hear a pin drop.

Sawyer stood frozen, his face cycling from pale white to a humiliating flush of red.

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