The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 25

Ferris didn't raise his voice, but given his untouchable status, that single word—'disease'—carried an overwhelming, crushing weight.

With that one sentence, the slightly thawed atmosphere plunged straight back to sub-zero.

Procrastination?

He really loved branding me with flaws, didn't he? He knew perfectly well that in both Neurosurgery and Anesthesiology, every single second was a matter of life and death. Labeling me a slacker in front of the entire hospital hierarchy basically torpedoed my professional reputation.

During our internship, we were strictly graded. Mentors and nurse managers all submitted scores that determined our futures. With Ferris's casual assassination of my character, I'd have to move mountains just to claw my way back to a passing grade.

Frustration bubbling over, I kept my tone perfectly even. "I apologize for being late to my interview, but there was a genuine medical emergency tonight."

Ferris let out a mocking scoff, his eyes turning glacial. "Late is late. Do you think a dying patient has the luxury of asking why you couldn't show up on time? To a patient, every second is precious. Why make excuses for your own incompetence?"

I was genuinely taken aback by his sheer hostility.

Yes, the principle was true, but I had just told him there was an emergency. He was completely steamrolling over me before I could even explain.

I felt a surge of helpless rage. Scanning the room, I realized not a single person was willing to speak up against him.

He was the poster boy of Neurosurgery. When he pulled rank, everyone naturally fell into line.

Just then, Zoey chimed in from beside me, her voice trembling slightly. "Ferris, everyone's having such a good time tonight. Let's not be upset, okay?"

She looked at him with wide, vulnerable eyes, playing the perfect fragile peacemaker.

Ferris's expression instantly softened, though he added one last jab. "I just feel that the current batch of interns leaves much to be desired. Their medical ethics could use some serious work."

Medical ethics?

I clenched my jaw, pushing past my absolute limit.

Just because I was a junior intern meant he could publicly humiliate me for his own amusement?

She was Dr. Yates's lifesaver.

The misunderstanding instantly evaporated, replaced by nods of genuine approval. Leon, playing the ultimate hype man, pulled Hazel toward the table.

Hazel, aggressively protective of me now, waved me over. "Come here, Selena! Sit right next to me."

So there I was, sandwiched between Hazel on my left and Leon on my right.

I didn't think much of it until a doctor across the table suddenly squinted at me. "Wait a minute, Leon. She looks awfully familiar. Isn't this the girl who dropped off your lunch that one time?"

That guy had a terrifyingly good memory.

In one sentence, Leon and I were thrust straight into the rumor mill.

Just as I opened my mouth to clarify, Zoey's bright voice pierced the chatter. "Wow! So you were delivering a care package to Dr. Lennox? That's so romantic!"