Chapter 4 Idle and Miscellaneous People

As soon as those words were spoken, the argument died down.

What followed were a few scornful snorts.

The sharp click of heels on tile sounded as the female director walked over to Sidney's workstation.

The youngest director in the entire hospital seemed completely oblivious to Nora standing right in front of her. She simply took advantage of the moment as they brushed past each other and snatched the X-ray from Nora's hands.

"Sidney, how many times do I have to tell you not to let any unapproved person in here?"

Clearly, Nora's presence had instantly put the two directors on the same side.

The other director immediately chimed in.

"Exactly, if everyone brings germs in from outside, what's the point of all our disinfection procedures?"

"Those are the rules the former director had set himself."

At those words, Sidney's fists clenched tight.

"She's..."

Before he could finish, Nora reached out and grabbed his sleeve, her cold gaze fixed on the two people across them.

"Are you talking about Parker Wright?"

The female director couldn't help but freeze. Parker had been quietly moved to Phoenix City by the administration decades ago. In fact, aside from setting those rules and procedures, Parker had never made a public appearance, and his identity was classified.

How could this young woman, who looked barely twenty, know that Parker's last name was Wright?

"What, you know him?"

Nora smiled slightly.

"We had coffee together last week."

"But I heard him say the hospital only has one rule: Do everything possible to save every patient."

As she spoke, Nora reached into her pocket and pulled out a small white spray bottle, then pointed to the sink by the door.

"As for disinfection, I sanitized before I came in. 70% alcohol."

"But I noticed the sink only has regular hand soap, and there's a lot of dried, crusted residue around the spout. Looks like dried mucus."

"I think next time I see Parker, I should ask him face-to-face whether these disinfection standards are acceptable."

The argument died down again, but unlike last time, it was Sidney's turn to snort.

Nora's expression remained unchanged.

"Can we get back to discussing the patient's treatment plan now?"

"Hazel, I have a surgery I need to check on." The other doctor, sensing the awkward atmosphere, made an excuse and left.

The office door was pushed open hard, then gently closed.

Only the female director, Hazel Carter, remained in the room, looking awkwardly at Sidney and Nora.

But clearly, she wasn't ready to back down yet.

"So then, what's your brilliant idea?"

Nora's voice wasn't loud, but it was firm.

"Schedule surgery immediately." Hazel seemed to have anticipated this answer, and the corner of her mouth that had just dropped curved up again.

"But our hospital simply doesn't have the team to pull off this surgery right now, especially without a lead surgeon."

"Unless..." Behind her glasses, those sharp eyes narrowed. "Unless she's going to be the lead surgeon?"

Sidney, beside her, suddenly realized something and quickly reached out to grab Nora's sleeve.

But it was too late.

Without a moment's hesitation, Nora nodded.

"If your hospital is really that afraid of taking responsibility, then I can give it a try."

Before she finished speaking, she felt a pull at her wrist as she was dragged out of the room.

When she steadied herself again, she was met with Sidney's panicked expression.

"Nora, can't you see this is a trap?

"The person lying in that hospital bed is John!"

Nora paused for a moment, then shrugged nonchalantly.

"I know, and that's exactly why I need to save him. He's a good guy. He even bought me coffee before."

The expression on Sidney's face shifted from panic to speechlessness as he silently turned away.

After a moment, seeming to have made a difficult decision, he placed both hands on Nora's shoulders.

"Fine, I'll risk it all with you. I'll assist you in this surgery."

Nora frowned slightly, putting her hands on her hips as she looked Sidney up and down.

"Didn't you say you were cut out to be a lead surgeon and would never assist anyone else in your life?"

Sidney scratched his head awkwardly.

"What do you know? If we pull off this surgery, that old woman's position in there will be mine!"

"Don't worry, once I become director, the first thing I'll do is replace that hand soap."

Nora didn't respond, she only gently grasped the two large hands resting on her shoulders.

Sidney felt his heartbeat suddenly accelerate, his gaze growing more determined.

"Nora..."

The next second, Nora forcefully shook his hands off.

"You touched my clothes. Remember to disinfect again before going in."

With that, she turned and walked back into the room, leaving Sidney standing there in a daze.

Inside, seeing the two return, Hazel's face broke into a smile.

"Well, did you two go out to discuss the surgical plan?"

Sidney turned all his earlier awkwardness into anger and forcefully pressed down on the soap dispenser.

"That's right. I'll be assisting Ms. Thorne. Let's schedule the surgery now."

Hazel frowned, clearly dissatisfied with this answer.

"Sidney, you're still young, but you've published papers and performed numerous major surgeries. Your future is bright."

"Don't ruin your career over a moment of impulse."

Sidney couldn't stand hearing any opposition. His eyes immediately widened.

"My career? I came here to save lives, not to build a career!"

"If you're still worried about this surgery, I'm willing to stake my entire career on it!"

Hazel clearly hadn't expected Sidney to speak to her this way. Her already furrowed brows knitted even tighter.

"Sidney, are you willing to take such risk for some girl who doesn't even have a medical license?"

Before she finished speaking, Sidney reached into Nora's crossbody bag and, ignoring Nora's bewildered struggle, pulled out three pieces of documentation.

"That's not your concern. Ms. Thorne graduated from a prestigious medical school. Here are her credentials."

"Not only does she have a medical license, but she's also already participated in multiple treatment cases at our hospital."

"What, do I need to go to the archives and pull up the previous records?"

This was completely outside Hazel's expectations.

But at this point, she found herself in the same situation the director had described, stuck between a rock and a hard place.

After taking several deep breaths, Hazel, with reluctance in her heart, placed her final bet.

"Fine. If that's the case, then let me be clear."

"I remain opposed to bringing in doctors of unknown background and uncertain skill to participate in our hospital's patient care. So if the surgery fails and the Percy family blames us, you two will bear full responsibility."

With that, a trembling finger pointed at Sidney.

"And if that happens, you won't need to stay here anymore."

Nora's pupils dilated slightly as she opened her mouth to refuse.

Just as she'd said, she was only getting involved because John was a good person.

But if it really affected Sidney's career, then this gamble would change its nature entirely.

However, Sidney was already completely fired up, slapping the nearby desk loudly.

"Fine! If the surgery fails, I'll go to the director's office myself and submit my resignation!"

Then Sidney turned the tables, also pointing his finger at Hazel.

"But what if the surgery succeeds?"

Hazel thought for a moment, opening her mouth somewhat hesitantly.

"Succeeds? Then... Then I'll apologize to her in front of everyone, and I'll admit I was wrong about her."