Chapter 54

Vivian Laurent stepped out of the office. Nathan Clementson stood waiting in the hallway.

"Senior," she called softly.

Nathan's brow furrowed. "Don't take this to heart. I know you hate hospitals because of all the politics. It was thoughtless of me to bring you here."

"How is this your fault?" Vivian gave a cold laugh. "Chloe Ashcroft would risk lives just to drive me away. Daniel Ashcroft must have known—he probably ordered it."

She paused. "Senior, they won't let you off either. Why not return to Master's place—"

"No." Nathan shook his head. "Hospitals may be complicated, but at least we can save lives here. That sense of fulfillment when patients recover is irreplaceable."

Vivian sighed. Her senior was too pure-hearted. Daniel Ashcroft would exploit that sooner or later.

"I came to tell you something," Nathan lowered his voice. "The surgery incident has blown up. Someone filmed it and posted online. The backlash is spreading."

"I don't care," Vivian said flatly.

Nathan looked troubled. "Daniel will seize this opportunity. With Chloe involved, the Ashcrofts won't let this go."

That evening, the scandal exploded across social media.

Under the trending hashtag #UnlicensedSurgeon, vicious speculation ran rampant:

"Practicing medicine without certification!"

"Using patients as lab rats!"

"Hospital protects connected insiders!"

The vice president soon gave an interview: "Our investigation confirms Vivian Laurent entered through Nathan Clementson's connections. We will take strict disciplinary action—both are dismissed immediately."

Public outrage surged.

"Good riddance!"

"Revoke that doctor's license!"

"The VP did the right thing!"

Daniel Ashcroft smiled at the trending topics. This was the price for crossing the Ashcroft family.

Isabella Langley stomped her foot in fury. "I should hack those slanderous accounts!"

"Don't act rashly," Vivian stopped her.

"But they have no idea who you really are!" Isabella protested. "If we revealed you're Dr. Luna—"

"Look!" Isabella suddenly gasped.

The hospital's official account had released the full surveillance footage.

The video clearly showed Nathan struggling during the surgery before Vivian stepped in to take over.

Alongside it, Vivian's true credentials were published:

Offered professorship at Capital Medical University (declined)

Recipient of multiple international medical awards

Pioneer of groundbreaking surgical techniques

Public opinion flipped instantly.