My Secret Husband Is My Cold Boss novel Chapter 41

Black Monday wasn't just an empty title.

Today was Dr. Laird Franklin's outpatient clinic day.

The department head only saw patients one day a week and capped his list at a dozen slots. Most of the patients scrambling for an appointment were dealing with complicated cases that other hospitals couldn't treat.

In the end, all dozen patients were admitted to the hospital without exception.

Combined with the previously scheduled consultations, Wendy Gates was run off her feet all day.

Forget a proper meal—she barely had time to scarf down a sandwich.

Riley Reed patted Wendy's shoulder comfortingly. "Chief Gates, just consider this your final trial from the powers that be before you step down from your residency post."

Wendy handed Riley one of the chia seed puddings Winona James had couriered over that morning.

"I accept the trial, but right now, all I want is to make it to the end of my shift without another emergency consultation."

No emergencies? That was a pipe dream.

She was only halfway through her pudding.

Wendy's duty phone buzzed.

"Chief Gates, multidisciplinary consultation on the fourth floor in thirty minutes."

"Cardiothoracic surgery again?" Riley asked, overhearing the call.

Wendy nodded. "Neurosurgery is joining us this time, too."

With Director Zachary out of town for a medical forum, all the workload in cardiothoracic surgery had fallen squarely on Sampson Sanders's shoulders these past few days.

Waiting thirty minutes meant waiting for Sampson to get back from the branch hospital.

Inside the consultation room.

The representative from neurosurgery was a familiar face.

It was the female doctor who had been talking to Sampson in the hallway that day.

She recognized Wendy as well. The moment Wendy walked in, the woman offered a polite nod. "Dr. Gates."

Wendy, however, had no idea what her last name was.

Capital Medical Center was massive, so it was completely normal for doctors from different departments to not know one another.

Quinn Sawyer introduced herself. "Neurosurgery, Quinn Sawyer."

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Sawyer."

Everyone was present in the room except for Sampson.

The patient's test results were projected onto the screen.

Given that he was still recovering from a sudden stroke, the patient's body simply couldn't handle immediate surgery.

Leo weighed in. "Dr. Sawyer, we'll need to transfer this patient to Chief Gates first. Cardiology needs to start him on a course of antibiotics."

With infective endocarditis, if the patient had a strong baseline constitution, antibiotics could potentially clear the vegetation.

Even if it couldn't be fully eliminated, they still needed to stabilize his temperature and get the infection under control before operating.

Quinn understood the protocol.

She had no objections.

She simply gave Wendy a heads-up. "Dr. Gates, the treatment plan is sound, but this patient's status is a bit sensitive. I'd appreciate it if your department could give him some extra attention."

"Sensitive?" Riley asked. "How sensitive?"

With cardiology at full capacity, Wendy had somehow managed to clear out a double room for a transfer from neurosurgery.

Riley clicked her tongue.

Wendy explained, "He's an athlete. He just won two medals for the country at the Winter Olympics a few months ago."

"...Oh, I see."

Realizing he wasn't just some VIP with connections, but someone who had brought honor to the country, Riley swiftly swallowed her earlier scoff.