The mayor was in a car accident and rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

My boyfriend, Joe Reid, wanted our junior colleague, Melissa Cross, to become the mayor's savior, so he convinced the entire department to delay the surgery while waiting for her. She was late because she had been making her special herbal drink.

The mayor's life was hanging by a thread. If we did not act fast, we'd all be in serious trouble!

I pleaded with them to start the surgery immediately, but all I received was accusations. "You're just jealous because Joe promised Melissa a permanent position. You're trying to ruin her chance to impress the mayor, aren't you?"

I dropped to my knees and begged my colleagues. Only then, reluctantly, did they agree to proceed to the operating room.

I served as lead surgeon with Joe and my colleagues assisting. After twelve hours, we finally saved Mayor Richard Carter's life.

Afterward, our entire department received a massive bonus from the mayor. Both Joe and I were promoted.

Yet on the night of my promotion, Melissa drugged me and had me locked in the hospital morgue's refrigeration unit, where I froze to death.

Meanwhile, Joe led the entire department in lying to the police. "Kimberly Hayes had corrupt medical ethics. She stole credit for saving the mayor's life from Melissa to get promoted, then killed herself out of guilt."

I died with my name destroyed.

Melissa used this opportunity to secure her permanent position and even became department director with Richard's help.

My father believed there was more to my death and fought for justice everywhere, but Joe had him committed to a psychiatric hospital where he was beaten to death by other patients.

Only after death did I learn the truth. This was all a conspiracy between Melissa and Joe.

Melissa was too afraid to be lead surgeon. They delayed everything just to replace me!

When I opened my eyes again, I had been reborn to the day Joe led the entire department in waiting for Melissa before the surgery.

In this life, I would not stop these ungrateful colleagues from destroying themselves.

"No way, Melissa went to make us herbal tea. We have to wait for her before we can operate on the mayor!"

When Joe Reid spoke those exact same words as in my previous life, I finally realized I had been reborn.

Watching him explain to our department colleagues, hatred surged within me like a tidal wave.

Before I could make a move, Joe turned to me with anger written all over his face.

"Kimberly Hayes, you're so selfish! Melissa isn't here yet. What's wrong with waiting two more minutes?"

All the colleagues present looked at me with impatience.

"Exactly. Melissa is our junior colleague. How can we not include her in something this big?”

"Until she gets here, none of us are going into that operating room today!"

Watching my colleagues acting like they were possessed, my heart filled with bitter sorrow.

In my previous life, the mayor's car accident had caused severe leg bleeding. He was at high risk of blood loss and internal infection. I feared that if we continued to delay and missed the golden window for rescue, our entire department would be held responsible for his death!

So, I knelt on the ground and begged them until my forehead was a bloody mess. Only then did they reluctantly enter the operating room to assist me in giving the mayor emergency treatment.

Yet my good intentions were seen as proof that I was jealous of Joe and Melissa Cross's relationship, that I desperately wanted to climb the ladder. Everyone in the department saw me as a thorn in their side.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Joe walked up to me and looked at me with complete disappointment.

"We've been together all these years. I never thought you'd turn out to be such a vain person!”

"Melissa practices medicine properly and treats people with humility and courtesy. Everyone can see that. Now we have this great opportunity to save the mayor and showcase our skills. How can you be so selfish and not let her participate?"

Watching Joe speak with such righteous indignation, waves of nausea rose in my heart. This monster. I actually loved him for six whole years in my previous life!

My nails dug deep into my palms. I wanted nothing more than to slap him right then and there. I suppressed the surging hatred in my heart and spoke.

"The mayor has severe leg bleeding. If we don't operate immediately and keep delaying, whatever consequences arise will be on you!”

"Since you're all willing to risk your futures to accompany Melissa Cross while disregarding the mayor's life, then suit yourselves."

After hearing my words, Joe immediately mocked me.

"Are you the only doctor here? We've done so many surgeries. The mayor's condition is just a minor surgery at most. What could possibly go wrong!"

Seeing how hopeless they all were, I had nothing more to say. I returned to the on-call room.

Joe stood outside with the entire department's colleagues, cheering and celebrating in the corridor, completely disregarding hospital management rules.

Under his smooth talk, the tremendous honor of saving the mayor had already made each of them start daydreaming about rising through the ranks and becoming renowned in the medical field.

Through the on-call room window, I watched them lose themselves in excitement. A cold laugh rose in my heart.

I wondered if they would still be laughing at this time tomorrow.

Thinking of how I was frozen alive in the morgue refrigeration unit in my previous life, and the image of Dad being beaten to death in the psychiatric hospital, that towering hatred in my heart burned fiercer and fiercer!

This time, I would make sure every single one of them paid the price!

My eyes red, I sent my father a message.

Just then, the vital signs monitor beside Richard's bed sounded an alarm for excessive blood loss.

"Beep—"

The mayor was in critical condition! Even if we operated immediately now, the risks would be enormous!

The golden window for emergency treatment was slipping away bit by bit, yet Joe remained unmoved.

It was not until the mayor lying on the hospital bed had nearly bled out that Melissa finally arrived 40 minutes later, carrying a large pot of herbal tea.

The hospital pantry was only a three-minute elevator ride from the department, yet Melissa put on an act like she was drenched in sweat. What a waste that she had not gone into acting.

When she saw everyone in the department still waiting for her in the hospital corridor, she instantly transformed into an award-winning actress, looking at everyone with touching gratitude.

"How can you all be so good to me? How can I ever repay everyone for taking such good care of me!"

Through the on-call room window, she shot me a mocking smile.

Joe took the kettle from her hands and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Silly girl, of course it's because you deserve us treating you well!"

My phone rang at that moment. Looking at Dad's reply, I let out a soft laugh.

I hesitated no longer. I walked out of the on-call room and looked at everyone.

"Since Melissa is here, let's hurry and arrange surgery for the mayor!"

Everyone was no longer reluctant and began actively running around preparing for the emergency surgery.

While putting on surgical scrubs, Melissa held a cup of herbal tea and apologized to me with a face full of grievance.

"Kimberly, I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I just saw everyone working so hard, so I wanted to make herbal tea for everyone to help them relax."

Before I could speak, Joe pulled Melissa behind him protectively. "Melissa, what did you do wrong? That vain woman with no sense of loyalty to coworkers is the most shameful one here!"

The other colleagues drank their herbal tea while chiming in to comfort her.

"That's right, Melissa, don't blame yourself. We all voluntarily waited for you!"

"It was only a few minutes' delay. The mayor will be fine. You're so good to us, of course we have to return the favor! We're not like those selfish people!"

Listening to their passive-aggressive comments clearly aimed at me, my heart remained unmoved.

I hoped their precious "loyalty to coworkers" could last a little longer.

Otherwise, how would the good show continue after the surgery ended?

They had no idea what their choice would cost them, and the pot of herbal tea Melissa made for them would purchase away the remaining free time in their lives.

I paid them no more attention and walked straight into the operating room.

The mayor on the hospital bed was already deathly pal, with a large pool of blood beneath his legs. Everyone completely ignored my opinions and directly let Melissa be the lead surgeon.

Melissa looked at everyone, a flash of panic crossing her eyes.

"Are you sure you want me to be lead surgeon?"

Everyone looked at her with complete trust.

"Melissa, don't be afraid. We believe in your medical skills!"

Joe also affectionately patted her head.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here!”

"As long as you perform this surgery and save the mayor, you'll be the mayor's savior. From then on, you'll have a place in the medical field, and we'll all benefit from your success too!"

Melissa looked at Joe's doting gaze and hesitantly nodded.

The surgery began. Without consulting anyone, Joe began meticulously instructing Melissa on where to make incisions. Everyone had clear divisions of labor and worked in perfect coordination.

Only I was like an outsider, completely excluded from the surgery, given trivial tasks like changing water, wiping sweat, and passing instruments.

While I let them order me around, I quietly waited for the good show about to unfold.

Just then, Melissa cried out, and the scalpel fell to the ground.

The mayor on the operating table had long since missed the optimal rescue window. Excessive bleeding throughout his body had caused severe complications: tissue necrosis.

To prevent it from spreading throughout the body, the most direct solution was amputation.

Melissa was so frightened she crouched on the ground, muttering continuously.

"I can't do it... I can't do it..."

Seeing her frightened appearance, Joe felt a pang of heartache. He turned to look at me, his tone impatient.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and hand me the scalpel!"

My heart numb, I handed the scalpel to Joe. With everyone's help, he cut down on both of the mayor's legs without hesitation.

I laughed. These colleagues were about to get exactly what they deserved.

The surgery finally ended.

The mayor slowly woke up. Joe walked forward with Melissa on his arm, his face full of joy.

"Mr. Carter, you're finally awake!"

The entire department crowded into the hospital room, everyone wanting to leave a good impression on Richard.

Melissa once again transformed into an award-winning actress, looking at the mayor with tears in her eyes.

"Sir, this was my first time as lead surgeon, and it was for someone as important as you. I was so nervous, but fortunately everything went smoothly with the surgery."

The mayor looked at her and smiled weakly.

"I never would have thought... someone so young could have such advanced medical skills. I owe you, my life."

Joe wrapped his arm around Melissa's shoulder at just the right moment, his tone proud as he spoke to the mayor.

"Mr. Carter, Melissa was my direct junior at medical school. She's been at the hospital for less than six months. Being able to operate on you is her honor, and the honor of our entire department!"

The mayor surveyed everyone in the room and nodded with satisfaction.

"Young people today are truly impressive. Once I recover and leave the hospital, I must properly reward talented young people like you!"

I watched the smiles on everyone's faces, my heart ice-cold.

They had all conspired together, sacrificing everything just to make Melissa the mayor's savior and cement her place in the medical field.

What deep colleague loyalty indeed.

"Mr. Carter, people with talent like Melissa are exactly who our hospital should be cultivating. Unlike certain people who don't deserve their positions, who only became directors through family connections, and couldn't help at all during your surgery!"

Joe continued to embellish the story in front of the mayor while throwing me under the bus. Everyone turned their gazes toward me, each pair of eyes full of disgust.

Just then, the hospital room door burst open. Richard's wife and daughter rushed in with a group of officials.

Richard's wife, Jane Herbert, threw herself onto the mayor, tears streaming down her face.

"Honey, you nearly scared us to death! What would we do if something happened to you?"

The mayor patted his wife's shoulder comfortingly.

"I'm fine, aren't I? I have to thank Dr. Melissa Cross for her dedicated treatment. She saved my life."

Jane and the officials all turned to look at Melissa, thanking her profusely.

Melissa pretended to be humble as she thanked the mayor's wife, but the look she shot me was full of smug provocation.

I stood to the side, expressionless, watching everything unfold in the hospital room.

Jane immediately ordered someone to make a banner to send to the hospital to properly thank Melissa for saving the mayor's life. She even wanted to take Melissa as her goddaughter and treat her like her own child from now on.

Just as the entire hospital room was filled with a joyful atmosphere, Richard's six-year-old daughter, Emma, suddenly pulled back his blanket.

Emma immediately burst into tears.

"Daddy, your legs... where did your legs go?"

Everyone followed the little girl's cry and looked toward the mayor's legs.

Beneath the blanket, where the mayor's legs should have been, there was nothing but thick layers of gauze.