Chapter 143



At that moment, Caiden’s voice broke the tension, his words deliberate and final. “If this is going to be a test, then both Belinda and Kylee will perform the surgery. If Kylee wins, she’ll skip the exams and become a resident physician here, effective immediately. As for Belinda… She’ll leave this hospital for good, her name never to be considered for employment here again.”

A murmur of shock rippled through the room. Caiden wasn’t done, though. He continued, “To make the matter more interesting, I’ll donate my entire year-end bonus to charity as a gesture of good will, and I’ll also give you, Turner, one month of my salary.”

Turner’s eyes gleamed with sudden interest. Kylee’s face lit up as well, her hopes rising at the prospect of victory. But just as they both began to relish the thought, Caiden’s next words were like a cold splash of water pouring down their heads. “However, if Belinda wins, she’ll be promoted to attending physician. Kylee will have to resign, and Turner—you’ll donate your year-end bonus and give me one month’s salary.”

Belinda was caught off guard by his words, momentarily speechless. Her gaze snapped to Caiden, confusion and disbelief swirling in her chest. Why had he said those things? When had she ever agreed to such a promotion? When she first joined the hospital, she had made it clear—she intended to remain a resident physician, nothing more. Now, it was clear Caiden was trying to outmaneuver both her and Turner, scheming against both of them! The thought made Belinda clench her teeth in frustration.

Caiden sneaked a quick glance at Belinda. When he noticed the sharpness in her expression, a flicker of unease passed through his features. But he quickly masked it, straightened his posture, and turned his focus back to Turner, his expression now serious as he awaited a response.

Both Turner and Kylee fell into an uneasy silence. The stakes were undeniably tempting, but the risks were also very high.

After a moment, Turner broke the silence, his voice laced with caution. “What happens if neither of them manages to complete the surgery successfully?”

Caiden’s gaze didn’t waver. “The surgery will be scheduled for a week from now. If neither completes it successfully then, we’ll let them perform it again another time. The one who performs it successfully first will be declared the winner.”

Your imagination starts at g Ɐ ln σ ν𝒆 𝓁s․conn Turner’s brow furrowed as he considered this. He wasn’t done yet. He leaned forward, a slight edge to his voice. “But even if Belinda succeeds, she still hasn’t been here long enough to qualify for an immediate promotion to attending physician, has she?”

Caiden chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with quiet firmness. “Our hospital has always prioritized skill over tenure. If Belinda can successfully perform a type-B aortic dissection surgery on her own, are you really suggesting she’s not worthy of the title of attending physician?”

Turner fell silent, his mind churning.

He weighed the risks against the potential rewards, and in the end, the benefits seemed to outweigh the risks. Refusing now would only leave him with fewer options. If he refused this, Caiden would never let Belinda perform the surgery on her own. Besides, as Caiden had pointed out, Kylee’s position at the hospital was already fragile. According to the rules, Kylee shouldn’t have been able to stay here. Making Belinda perform the surgery was the only way to force Caiden into a corner. Losing a year-end bonus would be a significant blow to Caiden’s finances. But more importantly, Turner saw this as an opportunity to expose Caiden’s incompetence to the hospital’s shareholders. Once the shareholders lost faith in Caiden, it would be far easier for him to orchestrate Caiden’s downfall.

As for Belinda’s chances of succeeding? Turner believed there was no way Belinda would perform the surgery successfully.

“Alright! Let’s do this!” Turner agreed directly.

.

.

.