The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 202

"Everyone, please head back to work," Leon Lennox's voice suddenly cut in. "Rest assured, with me acting as her knight in shining armor, our angel in white will be perfectly fine."

The crowd of onlookers quickly scattered.

I looked at Leon standing in the doorway, caught between laughter and exasperation.

He flashed me a thumbs-up. "You're something else, Dr. Hayes. Do you have any idea how many people are gunning for you right now? Yet here you are, parading around the hospital. You really don't know the meaning of fear."

"I've already crossed paths with Thorne Logistics," I explained. "If anything happens to me, they'll be the prime suspects. What do I have to be afraid of?"

Leon wasn't convinced. "So, what's the real reason you absolutely had to come in?"

I told Leon about my plan to see Barney.

"He's under police protection right now," Leon stated matter-of-factly. "Even if you want to see him, you need their permission."

"I'm the patient's anesthesiologist," I argued, omitting the intern part. "The police have no reason to deny my request."

Seeing my stubborn resolve, Leon sighed in defeat. "Fine. Let the lead surgeon escort the anesthesiologist then."

We made our way to the intensive care unit. After a brief negotiation with the officers on duty, they granted me five minutes.

Stepping into the room, my eyes immediately found the gaunt man lying beside the ventilator. He was staring blankly at the window, lost in his thoughts.

At the sound of our entry, his eyelids fluttered open, and he leveled a guarded look at me.

I quickly introduced myself, adding at the end, "When you were brought into Capital General, I was the one who administered your anesthesia."

A flicker of emotion crossed Barney's face at those words, but it vanished almost instantly.

Looking directly at him, I said, "I'm sure you know how severe this accident is. But Barney, I don't believe the fault lies with you. It lies with the logistics company that forced you all to take neurological stimulants."

Smack. Dr. York slammed a file onto his desk, practically vibrating with rage. "You two are absolutely incredible! One of you was told to stay home and sneaks into the hospital anyway. The other stays home but can't keep quiet, using her real name online to declare war on Thorne Logistics. Outstanding!"

Leon and I exchanged a stealthy glance and lowered our heads even further.

"No respect for the rules," Dr. York fumed, his face pale with anger. "Absolutely zero discipline!"

"Arthur—no, no, Dr. York, Professor," Leon offered an apologetic smile. "You know we didn't do anything wrong, right?"

"What does it matter what I know? The hospital has its protocols. We can't function without order."

His words left my heart hanging in my throat. After a brief pause, I asked, "Dr. York, regarding Barney's situation, what is the hospital's official stance?"

Dr. York's expression grew dead serious. He cast a heavy look my way. "We held a meeting yesterday afternoon. You both need to understand that with the situation blowing up like this, every move you make impacts the reputation of Capital General. Therefore, the administration has decided to form The Hospital Inquiry Board to cooperate with the police. Until we reach a definitive conclusion, both of you are suspended from your duties. Go home and wait for updates."