Chapter 9 288 Vouchers Chapter 9 The medical mishap was a serious one, and with Emmaline's upcoming government-sponsored study abroad on the horizon, Stephen suggested she take a few days off from the hospital. So, Emmaline stayed home, quietly nursing her wounds and preparing for her departure. To her surprise, Juanita showed up at her doorstep, arms laden with gifts. "Dr. Walsh," she began, her voice trem- bling, "the retention exam is just days away, but after what happened, I know I won't pass. My skills are poor, and the hospital probably wants to get rid of me. I desperately want to stay at the hospital. If I get sent back home, my parents will marry me off to some fifty-year-old creep!" Juanita's voice trembled, her eyes glistening pitifully. "Please, could you write a recommendation letter to Mr. Moran, asking him to let me stay? If you help me, I swear I'll make it worth your while!" Emmaline's stomach churned with disgust. "Juanita, do you even hear yourself? You framed me for your mistake, al- most destroyed my career, and now you dare come here asking me for a letter of recommendation? If I help you, it wouldn't be fair to the other interns who are working hard to pass the exam. If you can't pass, you don't belong here. I won't help you." Juanita pleaded repeatedly, but Emmaline stood firm, her resolve unshaken. Finally, Juanita left, sobbing dramatical- ly. Not long after, Zachary stormed in, kicking her door open with a fury that made the walls shake. "Emmaline! Why the hell are you destroying Nita's hand?!" he roared, his voice a thunderclap of accusation. Emmaline blinked, utterly baffled. "What are you talking about?" "Don't play dumb!" Zachary's eyes blazed with rage. "Nita went to visit you out of kindness, and instead of appreciat- ing it, you cut her hand with a knife! She's got the retention exam coming up! How's she supposed to hold a scalpel now? I know you're pissed about the skin graft incident, but that was my call. If you've got a problem, take it up with me-stop targeting Nita!" It hit Emmaline like a slap. She knew Juanita had spun another web of lies. She met his gaze, cool and unwavering. "Zachary, believe what you want, but let me set this straight. First, I didn't touch Juanita's hand. Second, whether her hand's fine or not, her skills and her character make her unfit to pass that exam. She doesn't deserve to stay in this hospital." "Doesn't deserve it?" Zachary snapped, his voice sharp as a blade. "She's got a burning passion for medicine! Sure, her skills need work, but that doesn't mean she can't be a great doctor. I'm calling Mr. Moran myself to make sure she passes!" Emmaline's heart twisted, a sharp pang slicing through her. Stephen was Zachary's grandfather's old subordinate- he'd surely bend to Zachary's request. Once, Zachary had been a man of principle, immovable as stone. When Emma- line faced unfair treatment in an academic selection years ago, she'd begged him to pull some strings, but he'd shut her down, sternly citing principles and refusing to leverage his influence. Yet now, for Juanita, he was tossing those principles aside without a second thought. A bitter realization settled over Emmaline: Zachary must be head over heels for Juanita. Swallowing the searing pain 0.0 % 10:01 At TCT Chest, on me." Her indifference only fueled Zachary's fury. "Because of you, Nita's hand is nearly ruined-she might never perform delicate surgeries again! She came to me in tears, Emmaline. Even if you're my fiancée, I can't let this slide!" He bel- lowed to the hallway, "Guards!" Two burly soldiers marched in. "Drag her out! Twenty lashes, per regulation. Teach her a lesson!" "Zachary, you wouldn't dare!" Emmaline struggled, disbelief coursing through her, but she was no match for the sol- diers' iron grips. They hauled her into the courtyard and forced her onto a bench. The heavy stick cracked down, each blow sending waves of agony through her body. She bit her lip until it bled, sweat mixing with the crimson streaks on her face. Finally, the world blurred, and darkness swallowed her whole. 10:01 78.0 %