Chapter 665 The Scapegoat

In Concord Hospital

"Dr. Wilsort, over here"

The second Norah set foot in the office that day, the emergency department director barked her name.

"New rule," the director announced curtly. "Visiting doctors are forbidden patient contact. You should just observe and learn nurses and doctors from now on."

Norah bristled/She had completed an emergency surgery solo previously. Yet now, she wasn't even allowed to talk to squated

She was certain something fishy was going on.

"This is a higher directive, right? From Concord Hospital's management?" she pressed.

The director, tight-lipped, confirmed with a nod. "All doctors here comply Today, you'll work in the Triage Area."

Without another word, he hurried away.

Across the hospital. Toby conveyed the same message to Baylor

"It was Korbin Ramsey's fault. He warned that the visiting doctors, from other hospitals, carried Concord Hospital's responsibility. But what's the point of this exchange if they can't practice?"

Baylor, though surprised, connected the dots upon hearing Korbin's name

"Dr. Blakely, haven't you heard the hospital gossip? Dr. Ramsey's been pestering Dr. Wilson for a date, but she's not interested."

Feigning casual gossip, Baylor revealed the truth.

"Is this new rule possibly Dr. Ramsey's way of retaliating against Dr. Wilson for her refusal?"

Toby clenched his jaw, fury simmering "Right, keep that under wraps. No more Inose talk"

Alone, Toby fumed. The hospital wasn't Korbin's personal hunting ground! He flirted with impunity, then turned vindictive when rejected Reporting him to the hospital president was tempting

After all, Norah was a talented cardiac surgeon, and Korbin's petty jealousy shouldn't hinder communication between the hospitals

Baylor, however, wasn't one to behave. He used his free time to chat with every Silver Boulder doctor except Gemma, unwittingly spilling the tea about Norah and Korbin

Predictably, the rumor mill churned owr by afternoon.

In the group chat of Silver Boulder's doctors, discussions were heated

"Word on the street is Concord's isolating our docs"

"Apparently a female doctor got a little too friendly with one of theirs."

"Exchange or vacation? Does she think she's here to snag a Concord job? Unprofessional much?"

"Thanks to her, we're all getting the cold shoulder. Brilliant"

"Someone mintioned her name being Wilson. Sounds familiar..”

"Dr. Wilson's in cardiac surgery, right?"

Back at her hotel, Norah's phone rang. It was Jamison.

"Dr. Wilson, what's going on at Concord? Why'd they isolate our doctors? Did you do something?"

"No idea," Norah admitted, completely oblivious to the rumor thanks to Baylor's strategic silence

Jamison filled her in, his voice tight. "All the department heads at Silver Boulder are furious. They think you've jeopardized the exchange program."

To those department heads, the specifics were unimportant. The scapegoat was identified, after all

"The higher-ups want you to apologize to Concord and try to mend fences. Don't let this ruin the collaboration.”