Not Your Doormat Anymore

This elderly man was the same. If he did not have money, I would have gladly donated some myself in a personal capacity. There was no need for him to spend anything on me.

"This banner didn't cost much," he said awkwardly, rubbing his hands together. "It's just a token of my appreciation. I hope you don't think it's too shabby."

"As long as you're healthy, that's the best gift I could receive," I replied.

As a doctor, nothing made me happier than seeing my patients recover.

"There's still a risk of relapse." I warned gently, "Try not to be alone if you can help it. After discharge, keep taking your medication for at least another week, and then you can start tapering off."

Giving those instructions eased a lot of the resentment I had been carrying. No matter what anyone else thought of me, I had always treated my patients with integrity.

Even if they did not want me anymore and chose someone else, it was just a matter of timing. I had no reason to cling to it.

"Thank you, Dr. Ranford."

After sending the elderly man off to complete his discharge paperwork, I walked back to my office, carrying the banner.

On the way, I ran into a former patient of mine. The moment he saw the banner in my hand, his expression twisted in disbelief.

He then looked me square in the face and scoffed. "Did you get a banner? Whoever gave you that must've been blind."

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Do you really have the nerve to ask? You used patient care as an excuse to get handsy with someone and even took her home! Aren't you ashamed of yourself? I heard you're still using that lady's medication to threaten her, forcing her to do what you want. You're disgusting!"

Were they talking about Kourtney? The moment he said it, I understood, and my face hardened.

"Don't throw around accusations without evidence," I said coldly. "There's nothing inappropriate between me and the patient."

"Then why were you the one holding her medication?" he shot back.

"It's because she couldn't afford them. So, I got the medication and gave it to her myself."

"Ha! Spare me the act. With your track record, I don't believe a word you say." No matter how I explained, he had no intention of listening. Other patients had started to look in our direction, so I dropped it and walked away quickly.

His curses trailed behind me, but I just clenched my jaw and picked up my pace.noveldrama

The only one who knew about what happened between Kourtney and me was Casey. Aside from her, the only one benefiting from this situation was Samuel.

It had to be the two of them. They must have teamed up to spread rumors about Kourtney and me. That was how the patients came to believe I lacked ethics and rushed to transfer under Samuel's care.

I could not blame the patients-they were deceived. But I would make the people behind this pay. After all, there was nothing improper between Kourtney and me. She didn't deserve to be slandered like this, either.

Back in my office, I took a moment to calm down. The worst thing I could do in response to baseless rumors was to fall into the trap of over-explaining.

The more I defended myself, the more they would twist my words and find things to exaggerate. Whoever made the claim should be the one to prove it.

Rumors had a source. If I could track down and force them to produce evidence, the lies would crumble on their own.

That thought had barely settled when Nora returned, finally done with her investigation.

She told me everything she had found. Apparently, one of my former patients had been spreading lies about me all over the hospital, claiming I was greedy and sleazy. She even said that I solicited money from patients and went after attractive patients or their family members.