Chapter 2

2

As two security guards approached me with batons drawn, an irritated voice cut through the commotion.

“What is going on here? Is this a hospital or a circus?”

The crowd parted as Dr. Harvey Lawson, Chief of Emergency Medicine, strolled over.

I had heard of him before. He had little surgical talent, but was a master at taking kickbacks.

He looked me up and down, his eyes filled with condescension.

“I apologize, sir. Our head nurse is just very straightforward and overly responsible. She can be a bit blunt.”

His words sounded like an apology, but there wasn’t a trace of remorse in his eyes.

Knowing my daughter was bleeding out inside, I couldn’t stay calm.

“My daughter is fighting for her life in there, and your nurse called me a kidnapper to stop me from signing. You call that responsible, Dr. Lawson?”

Lawson put on a fake expression of helpless sympathy.

“Please calm down, sir. Our hands are tied.”

“Our hospital recently implemented a state-of-the-art risk assessment protocol. Your case triggered a red alert. By procedure, we must halt all operations until verification is complete.”

A bitter laugh escaped my throat.

Wait for verification?

They could afford to wait, but could my daughter?

What a load of bureaucratic garbage.

Since when did medical protocol dictate letting a patient die on the table?

They weren’t following protocol; they were terrified of operating!

At that moment, my patience evaporated completely.

“Dr. Lawson,” I said coldly. “I don’t care about your system or your excuses. Every minute my daughter waits, her chances drop.”

“Today, I am signing that paper, and you are doing that surgery.”

The fake smile on Lawson’s face vanished, replaced by open hostility.

“I suggest you watch your tone, sir.”

“This is a hospital. We follow procedure. If you continue to cause a scene, we will classify you as a violent agitator!”

He gave a slight nod to the security guards.

One guard stepped forward immediately, reaching out to grab my shoulder.

“Come with us, sir!”

Brett rushed forward again, spreading his arms to shield me.

“Dr. Lawson, please don’t!”

“The patient needs emergency resuscitation! We can’t delay treatment over administrative paperwork!”

Lawson exploded, pointing furiously at the resident’s face.

“Brett Walker! Have you lost your mind? Who told you to meddle in this?”

“You’re inflaming patient hostility! Do you want to lose your residency? I can make sure you never graduate!”

It was a dirty threat, but lethal against an intern.

Brett’s lips trembled, but he couldn’t say another word.

Watching Lawson’s defensive, furious reaction, my suspicions hardened.

I looked at Lawson and made a move he never expected.

“Fine. I won’t push for the surgery here.”

I looked at them as if I had conceded defeat.

Lawson and Brenda exchanged a glance, both breathing a sigh of relief.

“Since you refuse to operate due to supposed identity doubts...”

“Then do me a favor and issue an official Refusal of Care form.”

“I’ll take it and transfer her to another hospital.”