The next morning, I dragged myself to Riverstone Hospital. My face was sporting two massive pimples.

Claire Gavin, one of my coworkers, immediately noticed and looked over. “Maddie, what’s wrong? You look awful.”

I sighed. “Don’t even ask. I was furious all night.”

Before she could press for more details, Dr. Thompson, the director, stormed in. His expression was dark with anger as he stared at me. “Dr. Young, get downstairs and take care of this immediately! Do you have any idea how bad this has gotten?”

I had a bad feeling. I hurried down to the outpatient area and saw a massive crowd gathering there.

Above them was an enormous banner with bold, eye-catching letters.

[Maddie Young Lacks Medical Ethics! Unfit to Practice Medicine!]

My eyes widened in shock. Before I could react, Vera, my eccentric neighbor, appeared right in front of me.

Her trembling hand pointed straight at me as the sagging flesh on her face quivered with each word. She spat out her accusations with venomous hatred. “Last night, my daughter-in-law’s stomach hurt for hours! This is all your fault! You deliberately left us those infected shoes! You tried to kill my unborn grandson! You’re a disgrace to the medical profession!”

The crowd around us erupted in murmurs. Their eyes filled with suspicion as they turned to look at me.

The whole situation was simply absurd. My scalp tingled as if it were about to explode.

“You must compensate us for our emotional distress! Otherwise, someone devoid of morals like you shouldn’t even think about continuing to practice medicine! You’ll harm countless others!”

Her eyes gleamed with such malice that it sent shivers down my spine.

At that moment, I was angrier than I had ever been. I shouted incredulously, “Are you kidding me? She only ended up getting athlete’s foot because you guys stole my shoes! Are you seriously blaming me for it?”

Before I could say more, Vera dramatically dropped to her knees and wailed, “Listen to her, everyone! It’s not an athlete’s foot, it’s a virus! How could anyone trust a doctor like her? She doesn’t care about your safety at all! She’s completely unethical!”

The crowd erupted into louder murmurs. Some even shouted that my medical license needed to be checked.

I stood there, unable to defend myself. I could only glare at Vera with terror.

I saw her sneak a triumphant smirk.

My rage completely overwhelmed me at that moment.

I fixed my eyes on her and enunciated every word through gritted teeth. “Stop this nonsense right now! One thousand dollars, take it or leave it. Or we’ll go to the police station.”

Her eyes lit up at the mention of money. A greedy grin spread across her face.

“I’ll bring the money to you later.” I lowered my voice and clenched my teeth.

“Smart move!” She smugly said before rolling up the banner. With the air of someone who had just won a war, she strutted away leisurely.

Watching her retreating figure, which was radiating smugness, I felt my blood boil even hotter. My entire body felt like it was about to burst.

Noticing my state, Claire offered me a few sympathetic words before hurrying off to calm the crowd.

I exhaled deeply, patted my chest to cool myself down. Then, I turned to Dr. Thompson. “Dr. Thompson, I need to take an extended leave.”

His expression was grim as he gave a nod. “Sort out your personal issues. Don’t let this affect the hospital.”

I clenched my fists and lowered my head to hide the frustration swirling within me. A wicked idea began to form in my mind.

After a brief moment of thought, I strode quickly toward the wards and sought out a few homeless patients I had grown close to.

I invited them to move to my place!

Victor Connor, a man betrayed by his ex-wife and left with HIV, looked at me in shock. “Dr. Young, I may be homeless, but I can’t stay at your place. After all, I’m…”

Mrs. Warren, an elderly woman infected with syphilis by her late husband, waved her hands anxiously. “Oh no, no, no! Dr. Young, you’re such a kind person. You’ve already done so much for me. You bring me food every day because I’ve got no one to care for me. I couldn’t possibly trouble you further!”

Behind them, Danny Haigh, a young man with mental health issues, hummed a tune as he grinned. “Dr. Young is the best doctor in the world. I can’t do anything to make her life bad.”

I quickly interrupted them. My face was flushing red as I explained the situation.

For a moment, there was silence in the air. Then, they all erupted at once.

“Unbelievable!”

“She likes stealing underwear, huh? Steal mine then!”

“Dirty thieves… Let’s taint them for real!”