Steven's expression flickered. He quickly spoke before Anastasia could. "She

publicly questioned my medical judgment right in front of my patient. Even if she is a student of Mr. Austin and Mr. Brown, she has no right to be so unprofessional and disrespectful!"

Anastasia gave him a cool glance. "I can be perfectly professional and respectful, provided your diagnosis is correct. But if I see a misdiagnosis that could lead to a patient's death and say nothing out of some misplaced sense of 'professional courtesy,' then I would be violating my own medical ethics!"

At this, both Bruno and Aubrey's faces grew serious. "Misdiagnosis? What's this about?"

Steven immediately retorted, "That's nonsense!"

Anastasia ignored him and turned to Bruno. "Professor, please come and take a look at Mrs. Clark."

Seeing Bruno and Aubrey about to examine Mrs. Clark, Steven lost his composure. "Mr. Austin," he sputtered, "even as respected seniors, you have no right to interfere with another doctor's patient!"

"And let her die at your hands?" Anastasia scoffed.

She'd had no illusions about Steven from the start. A man who could frame an innocent person after his own fatal mistake was no good.

Just as she expected, when she pointed out his error before any real harm was done, he refused to listen, denying it to protect his own reputation, and planned to just continue with his treatment!

What would he do when Mrs. Clark died? Find another scapegoat?!

"Mr. Clark, what do you think?" she asked Marlon directly. "Would you like my professors to examine her?"

"Mr. Clark!" Steven said, his face grim. "You're the one who hired me!"

His words gave Marlon pause, but

he wasn't a fool. The fact that Anastasia had noticed details Steven had missed already had him wavering. Now standing before him were medical legends Bryro and Aubrey!

He offered Steven an apologetic smile. "Mr. Parker, I know this is awkward, but this

is about my wife's health and safety. I hope you can understand."

"It's not that I don't trust you, Mr. Parker. It's just that Mr. Austin and Mr. Brown heard about my wife's illness and came all the way here personally. I can't possibly turn them away. Please, bear with us!

Then, with utmost respect, he turned to Bruno and Aubrey. "Please, examine my wife."

Bruno nodded and glanced at

Steven. "Since we're here, we might

as well take a look. No need to be

upset Mr. Parker. Ifat turns out there's nothing wrong and my student has made a mistake we will personally apologize to you."

With that, he began to examine Mrs. Clark.

After a moment of taking her pulse, Bruno's brow furrowed.

The Clarks' hearts leaped into their throats. "Mr. Austin..."

Bruno held up a hand, saying nothing. He stepped aside and said to Aubrey, "You take a look."

Still irked by Anastasia's obvious preference for Bruno, Aubrey scoffed. "If Anastasia could see the problem, don't tell me an old fossil like you missed it?"

But a moment later, his own expression grew troubled.

He asked Steven, "What was your original diagnosis?"

Steven had already told the Clarks, so he couldn't lie in front of them now. He had

no choice but to answer truthfully.