Chapter 229

Chapter 229

"What's going on here?" Steven abruptly stood up from the couch across the dean's office desk.

"It's me..." Terry started to explain.

Steven cut him off, saying, "Terry, if you're owning up to it, no need to say more."

Terry looked puzzled, clearly confused.

Steven continued bluntly, "You share the responsibility. She was under your care, and by the rules, any treatment or medication needs your signature."

"But on the prescription that went public, I don't see your signature."

"So, you're definitely accountable."

"But that doesn't mean Dr. Neville is innocent."

Victoria, who had been composed in front of the patients and reporters, now felt a surge of injustice hearing Steven's questions. She clenched her hands tightly, nails digging into her palms.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at Steven, her voice tense, eyes determined with a hint of defiance, "Mr. Jenkins, I can assure you that my treatment was spot on. He already had a chronic stomach issue, and Terry had checked on him at that time."

Terry nodded in agreement.

However, Steven remained unmoved, stating coldly, "Do you think explaining all this will change anything?"

Victoria frowned.

He snorted, speaking bluntly, "Regardless of your medical skills, that's not the issue."

"You say Terry checked, Terry confirms, so what?"

"Where's the proof?"

"As far as I know, we only have surveillance in the hallways."

"During the doctor's visit, the surveillance doesn't show anything."

"So, when trouble arose, we checked the surveillance, only to see Terry leaving the treatment room."

"By the time he returned, the couple had already left."

"But in the video they provided, showing you treating alone, what does all this suggest? Don't you get it?"

Victoria bit her lip.

Terry was speechless.

They had thought their records were flawless. But Steven's words were like a wake-up call, snapping them out of it.

Indeed!

What did the outcome of Victoria's treatment matter?

The other side clearly came prepared, intentionally exploiting loopholes.

But even so, Steven spotted something fishy in the surveillance footage right away, without hearing them out.

The behavior of those cooperating reporters made it clear they weren't just after a news story.

To put it plainly, someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

So, Victoria's medical skills weren't the main concern.

Victoria's eyes reddened, feeling the burden of the trouble she had caused the hospital.

She bowed deeply to Steven and the dean, "I'm sorry, Dean, Mr. Jenkins, I truly didn't mean to cause trouble for the hospital."

The dean sighed, staying silent.

Steven furrowed his brow, his tone still cold, "Causing trouble for the hospital is a given! But that's not the point."

After a pause, his tone softened slightly but remained icy.

"What you should be thinking about now is how you're going to handle this yourself."

"Those two are now demanding answers from the hospital, and the hospital will have to respond."

"But if the hospital really starts digging, it's not just about taking the blame."

The dean nodded in agreement.

Terry's face went pale.

Victoria, already suspicious, felt a chill run down her spine.

After a moment of hesitation, Steven, whether out of frustration or reluctance, sighed and said coldly, "Victoria, if you can't get the patient and their family to forgive you and settle this, and the hospital decides to investigate, you could end up behind bars."

Victoria nearly stumbled.

Terry rushed to support her, trying to reassure her, "Victoria, don't panic. This is worst-case scenario talk, and we can find a way out of this."

"Exactly, right now you need to focus on finding a solution with the patient," Terry added.

Victoria bit her lip, knowing she had to resolve the issue.

But how could she do that?

"You mentioned they were prepared. Even if I approach them, do you think they'll just let it slide?" she said with a self-deprecating smile.

Steven narrowed his eyes, not disputing Victoria's words.

She had a point.

Those two wouldn't budge easily, especially with someone backing them up.

"Maybe you should turn to Edward for help," Steven suggested, his words direct but honest. "He's your husband, and with his status and smarts, he should be able to handle this for you."

"Yes, but..." Victoria shook her head.

She hesitated to involve Edward, not because she doubted him, but because she didn't want to burden him. Plus, she already felt undeserving of Edward's support.

Seeking his aid now would only add to her guilt.

"I get it. I'll handle this," she said resolutely.

Though Victoria didn't say it outright, her demeanor made it clear she preferred not to rely on Edward.

While Steven admired her resolve, he bluntly remarked, "Dr. Neville, can you stop being so naive?"

"Do you think this is a walk in the park?"

If it were just an accident, that would be one thing, but it was evident someone had planned this. Even if she apologized, would they listen?

Victoria, however, remained unfazed, "I know they won't own up willingly."

"But sometimes, that doesn't mean they're unwilling to admit. I can't prove it. If I reexamine his body, I'm sure I can find the issue..."

Steven impatiently cut her off, "Can you quit being so naive?"

"Do you think you're in a position to examine now?"

Victoria didn't grasp it. "Of course, I am. I believe in my abilities."

"Enough." Steven waved his hand irritably. "Your confidence in your medical skills doesn't matter here."

"Don't assume everyone is so trusting. Patients won't let you near them. And even if they do, they might harm you."

"For your safety, the hospital won't allow you to treat them again."

Victoria straightened up upon hearing his words.

For the first time, she faced such a predicament and felt the urge to cry from the injustice. But she held back the tears, determined to stay strong.