Chapter 141

The tension in the room was palpable as the doctors exchanged uneasy glances, but no one dared to speak. Dominic Pierce broke the silence with a low, mocking chuckle.

"Mr. Holloway, how could you even ask such a thing? You're the deputy director of this hospital. Who would dare challenge your authority? You're being paranoid."

Sebastian Holloway's sharp gaze flickered toward Dominic for a brief moment before he looked away. After a deliberate pause, he continued, his voice measured. "Perhaps I phrased it poorly. What I meant to ask was... Do all of you believe Evelyn Hartley secured her position at Grand Hills General Hospital solely because of my influence, and not her own merit?"

The other doctors shifted uncomfortably, their silence speaking volumes. Dominic, sensing an opportunity, finally spoke up, his tone dripping with false concern.

"That's exactly what I've been thinking! Mr. Holloway, you know better than anyone how Evelyn got here. She bypassed the standard hiring process entirely—no exams, no evaluations. Just a direct appointment."

"Of course, people are going to resent that. This hospital has always valued fairness and skill above all else. Without proven ability, no one deserves a place here. Take my student, Lila Sinclair, for example. She's been here for over a year and is still just an intern because she hasn't passed the qualifying exam. Harsh? Maybe. But those are the rules. And rules exist for a reason."

He paused, his eyes narrowing as they landed on Evelyn, his voice laced with barely concealed disdain. "But her? She waltzed in with your backing, not only securing a position but a permanent one at that. How is that fair?"

Sebastian's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "So, Dominic, what do you propose we do about it?"

A glint of triumph flashed in Dominic's eyes. "Simple. Let Evelyn perform a solo surgery using our department's virtual surgery system. If she succeeds, her competence is undeniable, and no one can question her again. If she fails..."

Sebastian arched a brow. "If she fails?"

Dominic leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Then she resigns immediately. And as for you, Mr. Holloway... you forfeit your year-end bonus. Fair, don't you think?"

The room went deathly silent. The audacity of Dominic's demand was staggering—Sebastian's bonus was no small sum. Yet, the deputy director remained unreadable, his expression giving nothing away.

Evelyn suppressed a smirk. Dominic had just played his hand—bold, reckless, and utterly transparent.

Sebastian finally spoke, his tone deceptively mild. "And what surgery did you have in mind for Evelyn, Dominic?"

Dominic didn't hesitate. "A type-B aortic dissection. It's minimally invasive but complex enough to test a surgeon's true skill."

A ripple of shock passed through the room. While type-B dissections were less dangerous than type-A, they were still high-stakes procedures—especially for a resident who had never operated solo before.

The doctors exchanged uneasy glances. This wasn't just a test.

It was a trap.