Chapter 3

At Julian’s words, the family’s faces instantly twisted into expressions of pure disgust.

"You're that sick bastard!" the father roared, stepping forward. "And you have the nerve to stand here telling us you want to examine my daughter with some 'new technique'?"

"You just want an excuse to touch her, you sick pervert!"

"How disgusting! My daughter has already been through a horrific assault, and now she has to deal with a predator doctor trying to take advantage of her!"

Julian stood tall, puffing out his chest. "Don't worry, sir. Your daughter's surgery is safe in my hands. I personally guarantee her privacy and the highest standard of care."

Hearing those venomous words from the family, a profound coldness settled in my heart.

For the first time in my life, I questioned why I had ever dedicated myself to saving lives.

Whatever. I was leaving anyway. Why should I care?

I turned to walk away, but Chloe intercepted me at the end of the hall. "Logan! Julian is about to start the surgery. Why haven't you sterilized the operating room yet? What are you doing slacking off?"

"As an orderly, that is your job."

Julian smirked, spreading his arms wide. "Oh, since you're here, Logan, do me a favor and help me into my sterile gown."

"And make sure the surgical tray is perfectly organized. You used to be a doctor, so I assume you know which instruments I need without me having to hold your hand?"

My veins burned with fury. "No problem. Let me help you with that gown."

I grabbed the sterile gown, threw it over his head to blind him, and delivered two brutal punches straight to his ribs. Before he could recover, I landed a heavy kick to his groin.

"Logan! Stop it!"

Chloe lunged at me from behind, locking her arms around my neck, choking me. "How dare you lay a hand on Julian! Do you want to die?!"

I froze.

Chloe was actually physically attacking me for Julian.

As the head nurse, she was famous for her calm demeanor and polite customer service. She had never raised her voice, let alone her hands, at anyone.

Years ago, when a furious patient's family had assaulted me in the hallway, Chloe had only stood by, calmly explaining the situation to them.

"The fetus had already passed away in the womb," she had told them politely. "Dr. Carter only performed the procedure to save your wife. He didn't hurt the baby."

She hadn't fought for me then. But now, she was trying to strangle me to protect Julian.

Fearing she might actually cut off my airway, I wrenched myself free, grabbed Julian, and roughly forced him into his surgical gown.

Julian shot me a venomous look. The moment my hands were occupied adjusting his sleeves, he slapped me hard across the face.

The slap echoed through the hallway. My cheek burned, swelling rapidly.

Chloe stood by, watching with cold indifference.

"You deserved that," she sneered. "Don't ever think you're on Julian's level."

To show off his skills, Julian insisted on broadcasting his surgery live to the department's lecture room. All staff, including me, were ordered to watch.

Anyone with basic medical knowledge could see the tissue damage required specialized, delicate care.

Yet, Julian proceeded with standard, aggressive suturing.

Beside me, my apprentice Leo whispered, "Dr. Carter, look at that tension. That doesn't look right for a deep pelvic tear..."

I nodded silently, but instead of replying, I stood up and walked toward the director’s office. "It's completely wrong. But it's no longer my problem."

The day Director Vance signed off on my official exit paperwork, Julian strutted into the office, showing off a brand-new iPhone 15 Pro Max.

"Logan, you really were a terrible doctor. You made such a fuss over a simple suture, and it took me less than an hour to fix it."

"Turns out yesterday's patient is the daughter of a major real estate mogul in the city. Her father wanted to thank me personally. Chloe recommended me for the case, and they just gifted me this new phone as a token of appreciation."

Chloe leaned her head against Julian's shoulder, looking at me with pure disdain. "If Logan had performed that surgery, our hospital would probably be burned to the ground by a mob by now."

"He’s nothing but a shameless loser."

I stared at them for a second, a sudden realization hitting me.

So, the family who had screamed at me was the family of the city's most powerful developer.

Well, what a pity. Since Julian did the surgery, they’d be back in the ER sooner than they thought.

I hoisted my duffel bag onto my shoulder. "Congratulations to you both, then."

As I walked out of the main lobby, a group of high-ranking doctors from the State General Hospital brushed past me.

At the front of the group was a stern-looking senior expert, speaking sharply to Director Vance, who had rushed down to greet them.

"This is the third victim of this serial assault case. The Medical Board, the Governor's office, and the Police Department are all watching this.

Where is Dr. Logan Carter? Chief Detective Andrews needs his forensic assessment immediately."

But I didn't stop. I walked straight past them and climbed into a cab waiting to take me to the airport.

I was done with this place.