The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 303

With those innocent eyes and red-rimmed lids, if I hadn't seen it myself, I wouldn't have believed a single sentence from Amber could be so devastating.

Zelda immediately raised her voice in displeasure. "The recruitment process was completely legitimate and compliant. Different departments have different requirements for interns. Educational background is only one aspect. If I were Dr. Hayes, the first thing I'd do is take a good hard look in the mirror, rather than trashing my colleagues behind their backs."

Amber had barely spoken a word, yet Zelda was already twisting it into malicious gossip.

"People say alumni are supposed to be close. Our Zoey has always shown you nothing but respect. But what about you?" Zelda rolled her eyes at me. "Forget looking out for her, you're the one starting this petty rivalry."

Amber couldn't take it anymore and took a step forward. "Hey, watch your tone, Zelda! I'm the one who mentioned the degrees, and it has nothing to do with Dr. Hayes. Besides, it's not like I made it up. Our doctor really does have a higher degree than Dr. Zeller!"

"And so what?" Zelda scoffed, her face full of disdain. "Just because she has a higher degree, she can disregard collegial friendship? Everyone says Anesthesiology and Neurosurgery are like family, but look at you, shooting your mouth off and talking behind people's backs!"

The insult made Amber's face flush completely red. With Zelda's booming voice, it only took a moment for a crowd of onlookers to gather.

The crowd mostly heard Zelda's loud accusations, and seeing Zoey's teary eyes, they immediately looked at Amber and me with obvious bias.

Whispers began to spread.

Seeing this, I quickly stepped in to explain. "Amber and I were just chatting casually. We had no intention of disparaging Dr. Zeller. Besides, Zoey got into the Department of Neurosurgery based on her own merits, which I clearly can't compare to. Please don't take it to heart, Zoey."

Zoey sniffled softly, wiped a tear, and offered a fragile smile. "It's fine, Selena. I know you didn't mean anything by it..."

"You're too nice, thinking they didn't mean it," Zelda interrupted, shooting us a dirty look. "They're plotting behind your back on how to replace you, and here you are, defending them."

Zoey shot Zelda an awkward glance, then looked at me, playing the understanding victim. "Selena is in Anesthesiology, and we're in Neurosurgery. You're overthinking it, Zelda..."

Zelda sneered. "Her ambitions are sky-high. She thinks she's the best match for Dr. Sterling..."

"What's all this about Dr. Sterling and Dr. Yates?" the head nurse's voice suddenly cut through the tension. "It's working hours. Don't you all have jobs to do?"

Seeing the head nurse, Zelda's arrogance deflated slightly, though she still muttered, "You really should keep your people in check. Some people have a loose tongue. Isn't that deliberately ruining internal unity?"

The head nurse glanced at Zelda and Zoey, then at Amber and me, replying dryly, "For the sake of internal unity, let's stop shouting in the halls. People will think Capital General has turned into a fish market."

That single remark choked Zelda into silence. Zoey, however, chimed in obediently, "You're right. We were out of line. Please don't hold this against us, Selena, Amber."

The whole ordeal finally passed.

On our way back to the department, Amber was still fuming. "You didn't see it, ma'am. They were clearly picking a fight..."

"Whether it was deliberate or not, neither of you should have engaged," the head nurse explained patiently. "You have to remember that our two departments work closely together. If we can't get along, how are we supposed to cooperate in the OR? How can we guarantee the patients' safety? If word gets out, people will think our department is difficult to work with."

I nodded. "Thank you for the advice."

That was until the head nurse stopped me in the hallway.

"Selena, have you heard? Dr. Sterling was anonymously reported."

Anonymously? Reported?

My jaw dropped in shock. "Reported for what?"

"Well..." the head nurse sighed, her expression grave. "Rumor has it that someone reported him over the recent hiring in Neurosurgery. They claim Dr. Sterling abused his power to favor a certain intern..."

Obviously, the favored intern was Zoey Zeller.

And it just had to happen at a time like this.

Right after Amber and I had gotten into an argument with Zoey over the Neurosurgery intern list.

No wonder the head nurse had given me a probing look earlier. I guessed she had connected the dots as well.

But considering Ferris's status, who would dare stir up trouble like this right now?