Chapter 5

In the interrogation room, I stared hard at that exquisitely made-up face before me.

Bella was someone the director had forced on me—someone with family connections.

Normally, I tolerated her slacking off during work and just clocking in and out.

When she handed me the wrong clamp in the operating room or wrote incorrect medical records, I covered for her too.

But I never imagined her humanity could be extinguished to this degree!

Originally, the hospital had planned to send a helicopter for this surgery, but somehow Bella had said something to the director, and the hospital changed it to having me take a commercial flight.

"Bella, that's a human life!"

"You studied medicine too. Did a dog eat your conscience?!"

"What exactly are you trying to do!"

Bella sneered and took out her compact to touch up her makeup.

"I'm just here to build my resume. In a couple years I'll be promoted to deputy director."

"Who's like you, stupidly risking your life? Now look—you can't make the flight, right? Perfect. If I go back now, I can still make it to my date with my senior."

"Shopping and dating? Just because of this?"

I forced these words out through clenched teeth.

Bella nodded matter-of-factly and took out a mirror to check her eyeliner.

"What else! Some dead kid who's nothing to me, compared to my lifelong happiness—I know which matters more."

She even winked at me. "Chloe, you should actually thank me."

"After all, that surgery only had a 20% success rate. Dying on the table and then having to write a review—so unlucky."

I was about to retort angrily when I heard a loud "bang" as the interrogation room door was thrown open.

The person who entered was the criminal police captain. He turned to look at me, his tone somewhat gentler.

"Chloe, we've verified your identity. You are a national special subsidy expert, and you do have filing records for carrying surgical instruments."

A glimmer of hope lit in my eyes. "Can I leave now?"

The captain glanced at the clock on the wall, his eyes showing some reluctance.

"The tower just notified us that the flight to the neighboring state took off three minutes ago."

Hearing this news, my legs gave out and I collapsed into a chair.

Bella picked up her phone, brushed off the dust, her tone light.

"Chloe, now you can give up, right? Come on, let's go. I'll treat you to a spa to cool down your temper."

I ignored her. At the same time, my phone rang.

It was a video call request from the intensive care unit at the neighboring state hospital.

With trembling hands, I answered. On the screen was a panicked face.

"Chloe! Chloe, where are you?!"

The director on the other end was covered in sweat, his eyes bloodshot.

My eyes reddened too. I wanted to apologize, to say I couldn't make the flight, to say I was sorry.

But the words stuck in my throat. I couldn't get them out.

But the other end continued speaking.

The camera shifted to focus on the operating table. The director roared furiously:

"Chloe! You clearly said you could make it here for the surgery! Do you know that because of your delay, this child just had a massive hemorrhage and died!"

My head buzzed. My mouth hung open, my face covered in tears.

Five hundred miles, no plane—how could I get there?!

Just then, Bella beside me suddenly spoke up:

"So noisy! It's just a dead kid! Is it worth dragging the whole hospital into mourning! People die on operating tables every day!"

The director looked at Bella furiously.

"Shut up! What are you to say such things!"

"This child was the long-lost grandson of a military region commander!"

"This time, everyone involved in this surgery won't escape consequences!"