---- Chapter 265 Wendy had no idea where things had gone wrong. It had only been one night, yet public opinion had flipped completely, like so many people were working to drag her down. But she knew one thing for certain-this wasn't just random. She looked at Gregory, frowning. "We can't just let this spiral out of control." Gregory nodded. "Of course.

But if we don't figure out where this started, even if we stop it now, who's to say it won't happen again later?" Whether it was a freak occurrence or something orchestrated, Wendy had a gut feeling that this wasn't going to end quickly. She stood up. "Regardless of the noise outside , Ms. Hurst's treatment can't be paused. We still have to finalize the treatment plan." Gregory fell silent for a moment before responding.

"Once the treatment plan is set, I want you to step back from the public side of things. The hospital will release an official statement to address all of this." Wendy nodded. "But Ms. Hurst's case is sensitive. Are we allowed to issue a statement at all?" "Don't worry," Gregory replied. "We won't mention anything about her condition. The statement will only clarify that the rumors about you are false." ---- With that, he picked up the desk phone to make some calls.

Wendy still wasn't sure the statement would be enough to stop the wave of backlash, but time wasn't on her side. The rest of the morning was chaotic. She was bombarded by messages and calls, both on her personal phone and the phone in her office. It reached the point where she had to unplug the landline and power off her cell just to get a break. That afternoon, the treatment plan was finalized during the symposium.

Liam was officially assigned as the attending physician, and Wendy was pulled off the case, at least publicly. With her removed from hospital duties, she had to leave under security escort through the underground parking lot at the back of the building. As soon as she got outside, she turned her phone back on and immediately saw multiple missed calls from Zelda. Wendy and Zelda had long agreed -unless it was something truly urgent, Zelda wouldn't call her.

Wendy instantly feared something had happened to Ethan. She got into a cab and called back, but the line didn't go through. Inside the cab, the radio was playing the afternoon news. She hadn't expected to hear her own name on it. "What can we even believe anymore these days? Women like this are always trying to build a perfect public image. Take that doctor from Jazonia Public Hospital-one moment she's ---- ahero, the next she's exposed. Guess she overplayed her hand.

The cab driver chuckled cynically. As she wore a hat and a face mask, Wendy blended in as just another passenger. There was no way a stranger would recognize her. But hearing that made her grip her phone tighter. "You just came out of the hospital parking lot, right?" the driver asked. "Honestly , I wouldn't even think about getting treatment there until this mess is cleared up." Wendy frowned and shook her head.

Before she could respond, the driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror at a red light. "So, is someone in your family's sick?" He sighed. "If it's an elderly person, it can't be helped. Jazonia Public Hospital is the top in the region. Young folks can shop around for care, but the elderly... they don't have the time or the strength." Wendy's brow furrowed even more, but she remained silent. Upon sensing her tension, the driver gave a couple of awkward laughs. "I didn't mean anything by it.

Just talking." Wendy's voice was icy. "Take me to the Nortia Villas." "Alright." Sensing the shift, the driver quickly changed the radio station to break the uncomfortable silence. ---- Wendy pressed her lips together and tried calling Zelda again. This time, the call was rejected immediately. Awave of unease crept up her spine. Something was wrong, terribly wrong.