Chapter 2

2

I remembered the accidents from my previous life and felt a headache coming on.

But Gigi shouldn't have been in the OR today. What could she have possibly messed up?

The scream came from Dr. Lewis, a senior surgeon.

When I arrived, Dr. Lewis was pointing a shaking finger at Gigi.

"Who told you to use alcohol wipes on the robotic arms? And you tried to force them manually! Do you have any idea that this Da Vinci robot costs over twenty million dollars?"

Gigi's eyes turned red instantly. Tears began to stream down her face.

She hid behind Marcus, who had just arrived, grabbing the sleeve of his white coat.

"Chief, I didn't mean to. I just wanted to help disinfect... and it looked like stainless steel. I thought it was sturdy."

Marcus looked at the mangled robotic arm, and his face initially went pale.

But when he looked down at Gigi's watery eyes, his tone softened immediately.

"It's alright. Stop crying. It's just a machine. As long as you weren't hurt, that's what matters."

He turned to Dr. Lewis, his voice brook no argument.

"You're in charge of the OR equipment. Since she was under your watch, you're liable for the damage. The repair costs will be deducted from your annual bonus and project grants."

Dr. Lewis was stunned by the sheer unfairness. Gigi continued to sob.

"I'm so sorry. Dr. Miller told me to find something to do... I didn't mean to get Dr. Lewis in trouble. I'll help pay for it once I get my paycheck."

Marcus sighed and looked at her like she was a saint.

"You have such a good heart, Gigi. But don't worry, the hospital has insurance for this. You shouldn't carry that burden."

Gigi didn't have a burden at all. Poor Dr. Lewis was the one being sacrificed.

The repair for that arm would cost at least fifty thousand dollars after insurance.

Marcus had always been a stickler for rules. Years ago, I dropped a pair of forceps and he scolded me in front of the whole department and cut my bonus.

But now, he dismissed a massive loss because Gigi looked "cute" while doing it.

Gigi then had the nerve to speak up again.

"Actually, I think this is Dr. Miller's fault. If she hadn't barked orders at me to stay busy, this wouldn't have happened."

I let out a cold snort.

"Gigi, did I tell you to come into the OR and break things? You have zero common sense and your first instinct is to blame others. How did you even pass your boards?"

Before I could finish, a loud smack rang out!

Marcus had swung his hand and slapped me across the face!

The force was so strong my head snapped to the side.

My ears were ringing, and I could taste blood in my mouth.

"Watch your mouth! Gigi is an intern. She can be coached. But you, as a senior doctor, are being cruel and shifting blame. Is this your version of professional ethics?"

Gigi cowered behind him, her face pale as if she was the one who had been hit.

She cried even harder, acting like the ultimate victim.

"Chief, please don't fight with her because of me... It's all my fault. I should just leave..."