Chapter 19

Ralph puffed out his chest, pointed at Louis, and yelled, "You have no business meddling in hospital affairs! Anna messed up and needs to be investigated! At Unity Medical Center, we don't tolerate taking tips from patients. It's a matter of principle! She needs to be punished!"

The nearby family members chimed in, some even shouting, "Yeah! She should be fired!"

Anna bit her lip and tugged on Louis's sleeve, "Why are you here? I told you not to get involved."

Anna stood in the crowd, head down, feeling so helpless she could barely breathe.

Louis's gaze softened, and he patted her shoulder, "I heard people talking trash about you, so I came back. You're my wife. How can I just stand by when something happens to you?"

Just as Louis was about to leave, he heard gossip that Anna only treated patients if they tipped her.

How could Louis ignore such slander against Anna?

He immediately grabbed two nurses to get the scoop.

Anna's heart trembled. She felt a bit grateful but still worried, "But... this isn't something you can fix."

She knew too well the tactics of the hospital staff, especially Ralph. Louis, who didn't even have a proper job, couldn't take them on.

But Louis was determined, "I have my ways."

Anna froze.

She instinctively clenched her sleeve, lowered her head, and didn't dare to look at anyone.

She didn't believe it herself.

Countless arguments flashed through her mind, and memories of Louis repeatedly disappointing her surged like a tide.

Had his promises ever been useful?

No! Not even once.

Ralph sneered at Louis's words, "You have ways? You, a good-for-nothing who idles around all day, what ways could you possibly have? Stop pretending and get out before you embarrass yourself!"

The people around laughed, making Anna even more embarrassed.

But then, Louis's phone rang.

He picked up the call and said casually, "You got it? Good, send me the results."

After hanging up, he looked up with a mocking smile.

"Mr. Cook, since you care so much about the hospital's reputation, I'm curious, do your shady dealings in private count as damaging the hospital's reputation?"

Ralph's face changed slightly, and he sneered, "Stop making baseless accusations! If you have evidence, show it, or I'll call the police right now and sue you for defamation!"

"Evidence?" Louis lazily took out his phone, opened a screenshot, and waved it in front of everyone, "This is the billing record of you receiving money from a medical equipment supplier last year, totaling exactly three hundred thousand dollars. And here is the transaction record of you transferring money to Mia's private account. Look at the date, it was just the day before she came to frame Anna."

Ralph's face turned pale instantly, and he stammered, "You...you forged this! Who knows if these things are fake?"

"Mia!" Louis suddenly looked at Mia, who was trying to sneak away, and shouted, "Do you want to explain your relationship with Mr. Cook? And why do you have a large amount of unexplained income while accusing my wife?"

Mia was stunned, then she tried to remain calm, "I don't know what you're talking about! I don't know Mr. Cook at all. Don't talk nonsense!"

"Don't know him at all?" Louis shook his head, his tone turning almost playful. "Does he know about your breast cancer? Oh, right, you needed money for surgery. I guess it was the bribe money he embezzled from the hospital project, huh?"

Mia, furious, snapped back, "How dare you talk nonsense. Watch your mouth, or I'll sue you for defamation!"

Louis stared at her calmly and said coldly, "How dare I? Because you two have an improper relationship. You're Ralph's mistress!"

The words hit Mia like a sledgehammer. Her face turned dark, and her breathing became erratic.

The crowd's murmurs grew louder, drawing more onlookers, including patients and hospital staff.

"Enough! Louis!" Ralph, trying to suppress his panic, pointed at Louis and shouted, "You scoundrel! Our hospital won't be threatened by someone like you! I'm going to find the director right now and have him deal with you! He'll see through everything and give me justice."

"Perfect," Louis said calmly, hands in his pockets. "I also want to meet your director and see his attitude towards the actions of his trusted subordinates."

Ralph snorted coldly.

A few minutes later, Philip hurried over, clearly alarmed.

As soon as he entered the hall and saw the scene, he frowned deeply and asked sternly, "What's going on? What's all this commotion?"

Ralph immediately stepped forward, full of grievances. "Mr. Mitchell, someone is slandering our hospital's doctors, accusing me of embezzlement, spreading false rumors, and damaging our hospital's reputation!"

Philip's face darkened as he scanned the room. "Who is so bold?"

"It's me." Louis slowly stepped forward, meeting Philip's gaze.

Philip's eyes were sharp, staring directly at Louis.

The atmosphere around them instantly froze, and everyone held their breath.

Ralph and Mia had looks of triumph on their faces, clearly thinking that Philip would side with them.

However, to everyone's surprise, Philip was stunned when he saw Louis's face.

He was dazed for a couple of seconds, then his expression changed, and his voice carried a hint of undisguised respect. "Mr. Windsor? Is it really you?" Philip took another step forward, his tone even more respectful, and he even slightly bowed, his eyes filled with caution. "It's an honor for Unity Medical Center to have you here today!"

The entire hall fell silent.

Anna's complex gaze fell on Louis. She didn't understand what was happening.

How could Louis who stayed at home all day, accustomed to idleness, make Philip so respectful?

Standing aside, Ralph wore an expression that could only be described as comical.

A sense of absurdity surged in his heart, and he couldn't help but speak. "Mr. Mitchell, are you mistaken? This Louis is just a nobody. He idles around all day and doesn't have a proper job. How could he possibly..."

"Shut up!" Philip's sharp gaze cut him off before he could finish.

Philip's shout almost made Ralph bite his tongue. He stood there dumbfounded, his face turning dark.

Philip turned back, showing a warm smile. "Mr. Windsor, why didn't you inform us of your visit today? I was just hoping to consult you on some medical issues, and it's such a coincidence to meet you here."

Louis smiled slightly, with a hint of nonchalance, "I usually come to bring my wife some fruit and freshly ground coffee. I didn't mean to disturb everyone."

Philip nodded repeatedly, "Mr. Windsor, you are indeed thoughtful, remembering even these small things. You and Dr. Brown are truly a perfect match, making others envious!"

Anna's expression grew even more complex as she heard this.

At this moment, Philip seemed to think of something and directly addressed the people around him, "Dr. Brown has been working at our hospital for many years, diligently and always adhering to medical ethics. Today, I officially announce the promotion of Dr. Brown to Chief Physician of the General Internal Medicine Department!"

The crowd was in an uproar.

The news came too suddenly, and even Anna was stunned. She couldn't help but ask Louis in a low voice, "Do you know what's going on?"

Louis shrugged lightly, his tone calm, "Maybe you've just been performing too well."

On the other side, Ralph's face had turned extremely grim.

He had intended to use today's opportunity to ruin Anna, but things had taken such an absurd turn.

Mia, standing beside him, glared at him fiercely, signaling him to stand up and refute quickly.

"Mr. Mitchell, I think this is inappropriate!" Ralph finally mustered the courage to speak, his voice tinged with urgency, "Dr. Brown is currently under investigation for allegedly accepting $300,000 in tips from patients' families. How can she be promoted?"

"What's going on?" Philip frowned.

However, before Philip could understand the situation, Louis suddenly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm, "Philip, I'm afraid my wife really isn't qualified to work at your hospital."

Philip was taken aback and quickly became flustered, "Mr. Windsor, has our hospital mistreated Dr. Brown in any way? Please tell me, and I will correct it immediately!"

Louis waved his hand dismissively, looking indifferent. "Not really. It's just that Mr. Cook is accusing my wife of allegedly accepting tips totaling $300,000. She is, of course, not suitable for promotion now."

Upon hearing this, Philip glared angrily at Ralph.

In Philip's view, Louis was a master of the ancient Ethereal Balance Massage, arguably the best doctor of the time.

Not to mention anything else, just the Ethereal Balance Massage alone was enough to shake the entire medical community.

How could Anna, as Louis's wife, embezzle $300,000? What a joke!

"Mr. Windsor's wife would embezzle $300,000?" Philip sneered, his gaze icy, "Ralph, you better explain to me what this $300,000 is all about."

Ralph hurriedly took out a stack of documents, pretending to be calm, "Here are the records. Dr. Brown was indeed reported, and I am verifying it. This is also for the sake of the hospital's reputation."

"These records alone are not enough to prove anything." Philip interrupted him directly, his tone carrying more authority, "Ralph, I warn you, without solid evidence, do not slander Anna."

At this moment, Mia stepped forward, her gaze fierce, "I can testify! I personally heard Dr. Brown's mother say that the money for her Maserati was earned from Dr. Brown's tips!"

As she spoke, she took out that prepared recording, "This is the evidence!"

At this point, all the evidence pointed to Anna accepting tips from patients.

Philip raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet. He slammed a document on the table, his tone carrying undeniable authority. "I said, I need clear evidence. If you accuse Dr. Brown of accepting tips from patients, you must provide detailed patient information, including names, treatment times, and relevant details. Without these, your accusations are meaningless."

A flash of panic crossed Ralph's eyes, but he quickly adjusted his expression and spoke with a forced smile, "Mr. Mitchell, these patients and their families are right here. They can testify in person. Does this kind of thing need more proof?"

Mia immediately embellished, "Yes, Mr. Mitchell. Dr. Brown's mother has admitted it. You are the director of this hospital, are you going to favor your own doctors?"

Upon hearing this, Philip frowned deeply, "Whether verbal testimony holds up depends on the actual content."

Mia immediately raised her hand slightly, and the family members behind her began to stir, one after another shouting loudly.

"It was her! Dr. Brown took my money, saying it would guarantee the success of the surgery! Fifty thousand dollars!"

"And me! She did the same to me, taking a hundred thousand dollars and saying it would speed up the surgery schedule!"

Others chimed in, and the scene became chaotic.

Louis stood aside, arms crossed, a meaningful smile on his lips. He glanced at Anna and asked softly, "Anna, do you know these people?"

Anna shook her head, her tone calm, "No, I've never seen them before."

Mia immediately jumped out, her voice sharp, "Now that it's exposed, of course, you'll pretend not to know them! You're obviously guilty!"

"Guilty?" Louis finally looked at Mia, his voice calm but with a hint of coldness, "Just based on these people's words, you can convict her? Mia, where did you learn your legal knowledge?"

Mia snorted, ready to retort, but Louis raised his hand to stop her.

He turned to face the family members, his tone still casual but with an invisible pressure, "Since you all say Dr. Brown took your money, fine, I won't make it difficult for you. You just need to provide the patient's name, treatment time, and room number."

As soon as he finished speaking, the family members looked at each other, their expressions clearly panicked.

They exchanged glances, seemingly waiting for a signal, but no one spoke.

Time passed bit by bit, and the once noisy meeting room gradually quieted down, leaving only the sound of Louis's fingers tapping on the table.

He looked up and scanned the crowd, his tone growing colder, "What, can't you say it? Have you all suddenly gotten amnesia and can't remember your family members' names?"

His gaze was like a blade, forcing cold sweat to break out on the family members' foreheads.

Someone tried to speak but was silenced by a glare from Mia.

"Alright, stop the act." Louis withdrew his gaze, his tone cold, "Such a clumsy performance, don't you feel embarrassed?"

Mia, humiliated and angry, gritted her teeth. "They are just family members of patients. How can they remember so many details? But you are so eager to defend Anna. Could it be that you are guilty?"

Louis smiled slightly and shook his head. "I'm curious, when did your family members start coordinating their stories? Even the amounts are exactly the same—fifty thousand dollars, a hundred thousand dollars—such standardized answers. Are you all reading from a script?"

This statement plunged the room into silence once again.

The expressions on the family members' faces froze, and someone even couldn't help but take a step towards the door.