The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 601

"Probably. Nurse Ziegler was taken away too. They said it's connected to the case, though no one knows exactly how."

"Wasn't Nurse Ziegler just brought in to help with the investigation? I remember she scrubbed in on that surgery back then. Maybe they just need her to ID the kidnappers."

"If she was just helping out, she'd be back by now, wouldn't she? The department is slammed today. Besides, I was right there when they took her. The two officers looked dead serious. It didn't look like they were asking for a favor—it looked like an arrest. Do you think Nurse Ziegler did something shady behind the scenes with Dr. Zeller's kidnapping?"

"No way. Nurse Ziegler is Dr. Zeller's best friend. Everyone knows how tight they are. Why would she ever stab her best friend in the back?"

"Does friendship even matter when real interests are on the line? Did you forget whose payroll Nurse Ziegler is on? Think back to when Dr. Sterling was reported and someone vandalized Dr. Hayes's locker. Did you really believe Whitney Waters acted alone? That girl was as meek as a mouse. If someone hadn't put her up to it, she never would have..."

They mentioned my name and brought up that old incident, which instantly commanded my full attention.

Just then, someone pushed open the restroom door with a heavy thud, calling out, "Dr. Hayes."

The two gossiping nurses abruptly fell silent.

I frowned, offering a quick nod to the person walking in before hurrying out.

Even though those two nurses hadn't finished their thought, I knew exactly what they meant.

The true culprit behind Ferris being reported and my locker being vandalized had never been caught; Whitney Waters was nothing but a scapegoat.