I couldn't sit still anymore. Before I knew it, I had dropped to my knees in front of Zachary.

"Please," I begged. "Just let me in. I won't operate. You can get four people to monitor me. I'll just guide the doctors through the surgery. The patient won't last much longer."

There were only three minutes left. I clenched my teeth so hard that I could taste blood. When Zachary didn't respond, I lowered myself further and bowed at his feet.

"Please—you really need to let me in. The patient can't hold on for much longer!" I pleaded, casting aside every shred of my dignity.

In my opinion, a human life was far more important than my pride. I was willing to sacrifice anything to get into that room.

I knew the mayor's son. His name was William Davis, and he was 20 years old this year. He had just returned from studying abroad, and he was an outstanding graduate. I had to save his life no matter what.

Lydia let out a cold snort. "You do have a grudge against the mayor after all. I can't believe you'd forsake your dignity just to go inside and harm his son."

After what seemed like forever, Zachary finally came to a decision.

"Call the director of Central City Hospital," he declared.

Looking hopeful, I asked, "May I head inside while you make that call?"

There was no time to waste.

"No way. You can't let her in without confirmation, Zach," Lydia cut in. Then, she stepped in front of the door to block my way.

I raised my hand to push her aside. But before I could do so, a wail erupted from the banquet hall.

"The patient has stopped breathing! The time of death is 2:37 pm, March 17th, 2026."

Upon hearing this, I collapsed onto the ground.

It was too late.

I was perfectly capable of performing this surgery, but the treatment was delayed because I was held back. Just like that, a life had been lost.

I struggled to my feet. Now that the patient was dead, no one was stopping me anymore.

I pushed the door open. William lay on the floor with his eyes still open. He looked like he had been desperately fighting for his life until his very last moment.

Fighting back tears, I grabbed Lydia and barked, "Are you happy now?"

She shrugged off my hands and crossed her arms. "I will be when I see Mr. Davis punish you with my own eyes."

All of a sudden, my phone began to ring. It was a call from Lawrence.

"You're on leave today, but the mayor's son had a medical emergency near your hotel. Were you not aware of this? You're the only one in this city who can perform a thoracotomy. Why didn't you save him?" Lawrence demanded.

When I didn't respond, he continued, "Say something! You're not holding a grudge against the mayor because of that batch of medical equipment, are you? That's not like you at all."

Before I could say anything, someone pushed their way through the crowd in front of me.

Thomas stepped forward with a grief-stricken expression. Subsequently, he walked over to William's body and closed his eyes with a trembling hand.

"My son… My poor son…" he cried.

I felt my heart clench. After almost ten years in the medical field, I still couldn't bear to witness something like this.

As I turned around to leave, a voice rang out behind me.

"Dr. Quinton. Wait."

Thomas walked up to me. His face looked weary, as if he had aged ten years.

"Why didn't you operate on my son if you were present at the scene?" he asked.

Lydia stepped forward. Scoffing coldly, she remarked, "Haven't you figured it out yet, Mr. Davis? My former mentor still resents you."

She added, "Someone like her doesn't deserve to be a doctor. If you ask me, her medical license should be revoked."

"Stop lying, Lydia!" I snapped and glared at her.

"I'm not lying, Dr. Quinton," she said smugly. "You were the only one here that's capable of performing a thoracotomy. So why couldn't you save the mayor's son? Doesn't that prove that you have a grudge against the mayor?"

She turned toward Thomas and said, "You can't let her get away with this, Mr. Davis."

There were no surveillance cameras here, and Zachary was standing to the side in silence. No one could prove my innocence.

I lowered my head and clenched my fists.

To my surprise, the mayor abruptly replied, "I know Dr. Quinton very well. She's not someone who can't distinguish right from wrong. She's a professional, and she would never let personal matters interfere with her work. There must be a reason for what happened today."

He turned to me and continued, "Dr. Quinton, I'm devastated by the loss of my son, but I haven't lost my rationality and sound judgment. What exactly happened here today?"