Chapter 1

My wife, Serena Evans, had an unblemished surgical record.

Yet, she managed to turn my minor wrist fracture into a permanent disability.

The very next day, her “best friend,” Julian Cole, replaced me as the Chief Physician.

That same day, he posted online:

“Thanks to someone for prioritizing friendship over her man. May our journey together be filled with storms and triumph.”

The accompanying photo showed him with his arm wrapped around my wife, a smug grin plastered across his face.

I scoffed and commented:

“Teaming up with an idiot? You’re guaranteed storms alright.”

A second later, Serena’s furious call came through.

“What the hell did you mean by that comment? Delete it right now!”

“Your hand’s useless now, so you’ve become a psycho, is that it? Julian just started at the hospital; he can’t handle you slandering him like this.”

“I’m telling you, if you don’t delete that comment today, we’re getting a divorce.”

Divorce? I was thinking the exact same thing.

Serena didn’t even realize that mixed in with the medical malpractice waiver she signed on my behalf, was our divorce agreement.

Cautious as she usually was, she’d never make such a rookie mistake.

But right then, all she cared about was Julian’s promotion; she had no time to spare for anything else.

I requested a medical malpractice investigation from my supervisor.

But they told me they’d investigated immediately.

Serena’s procedure had been flawless; everything was just an accident.

I laughed. The protocol to avoid being misjudged in a medical malpractice investigation? I had taught it to Serena.

Now, she was using it against me.

A moment later, Julian’s promotion to Chief Physician was announced on the WhatsApp group.

Julian, who was always at the bottom of the pile in terms of performance, was suddenly ranked first with a massive lead in the official results.

I looked closer and realized that all those patients were ones I couldn't follow up with after my hand was crippled.

Their most complex surgeries were already done, leaving only simple post-op recovery.

Anyone could see this was a classic move, a perfect snatch-and-grab.

Julian, ever the hypocrite, posted in the group:

“To be appointed to such an important position just two months into the hospital makes me truly humble. You are all my seniors, and I humbly ask for your guidance moving forward.”

Serena quickly replied:

“Julian, you’re the most promising cardiothoracic surgeon I’ve ever seen. No position is too important for you; don’t underestimate yourself.”

My colleagues also started showering him with compliments.

“Dr. Cole, you’re too modest. Is it so hard to admit you’re excellent?”

“Good thing it wasn’t Dr. Reed who became Chief, or we’d all be miserable.”

I’d always had a reputation for being tough in the hospital.

Because in the medical field, even the smallest oversight can be a matter of life or death; there’s no room for messing around.

But I'd also made quite a few silent enemies because of it.

Still, I never imagined that the first ones to badmouth me would be my own apprentices,

The very ones whose mistakes I’d covered countless times.

Lost in thought, another message popped up:

“Alex Reed is so irresponsible. He’s faking a disability to slack off, leaving several difficult surgeries to Chief Cole.”

“Only Chief Cole, with his good temper, would be willing to take on such a mess.”

I sneered. What kind of "mess" gets you promoted to Chief overnight?

What kind of "mess" lets you steal someone else's entire surgical portfolio?

Just because of a few complicated surgeries I hadn’t had time to do, they were calling me irresponsible.

Not wanting to hear any more from these idiots, I exited the group chat.

But moments later, Serena’s call came in, her tone cold and business-like.

“Alex, I need you to finalize the treatment plans for those difficult surgeries within two days.”

“On the day of the operation, you’ll assist Julian throughout the entire procedure.”