Chapter 61

Chapter 61

The doctors and nurses present froze momentarily when they saw Dr. Eugene Bailey approaching, quickly stepping aside to clear a path.

Philip's reaction differed from the others—he watched Dr. Bailey approach with an expressionless face.

As Dr. Bailey drew near, his gaze first swept over Philip before he turned with a warm smile toward Matthew and Nicole. "Mr. Moore, Ms. Garcia."

His enthusiastic greeting sparked looks of surprise among the observing doctors and nurses.

Who exactly were these people?

Before anyone could voice their curiosity, Dr. Bailey was already providing introductions. "Ms. Garcia is one of our VIP patients here, and Mr. Moore is an investor in Riverside Medical Center's growth fund."

After finishing his introduction, Dr. Bailey turned to Matthew with an obsequious bow. "Mr. Moore, Ms. Garcia—my apologies for not being aware of your visit for follow-up today. This oversight is entirely my fault. Please, allow me to escort you to our VIP lounge where you can rest comfortably. I'll have Dr. Rivera conduct Ms. Garcia's examination personally."

Suddenly called upon, Philip's brow furrowed. He cast a cold glance toward Dr. Bailey.

Meeting Philip's icy stare, Dr. Bailey felt his calves tremble slightly.

He'd nearly forgotten—Philip was the heir to the Rivera family fortune! Though usually easygoing, once he took offense, he became formidable indeed.

Just as Dr. Bailey hesitated over whether to suggest switching to a different attending physician, Nicole spoke up casually. "Dr. Bailey, while doctors handle treatment and examinations, I still lack a suitable nurse. How about having Sophie attend to me?"

As she spoke, Nicole glanced toward Sophie.

Her smile appeared perfectly polite, yet triumph glinted in her eyes.

"Sophie?"

Dr. Bailey looked confused. Following Nicole's line of sight, he struggled to grasp the situation.

Head Nurse Irene immediately jumped in. "Sophie, did you hear that? Ms. Garcia specifically requested you. Why aren't you moving?"

Seeing Sophie remain motionless, Irene pressed on. "Being allowed to care for Ms. Garcia is an honor. What are you standing there for?"

Just as Irene finished speaking, Nicole stepped forward and swayed slightly.

Matthew quickly moved to support her. "What's wrong?"

Nicole leaned into Matthew's embrace, her voice weak. "Matthew, I'm feeling dizzy and tired. I'm afraid I can't walk to the examination room on my own. Matthew..."

Concerned for Nicole's condition, Matthew considered carrying her to the examination room when someone in the crowd piped up. "Our department has wheelchairs. Sophie could push Ms. Garcia to the exam room."

At these words, everyone turned to look at Sophie.

Nestled in Matthew's arms, Nicole feigned modesty. "Oh, that hardly seems appropriate, Matthew. I couldn't possibly impose on Sophie like that..."

Before she could finish, Matthew turned his face toward Sophie. "Sophie, bring the wheelchair over here!"

His tone remained commanding as always.

Sophie stood her ground, unmoving.

When Matthew ordered Sophie around, Philip glanced in Matthew's direction.

As a member of the Rivera family, he disliked seeing fellow Riveras bullied by outsiders.

Especially so blatantly.

Philip's expression darkened immediately.

Yet he remained acutely aware of Matthew and Sophie's past relationship.

Perhaps this could serve as a teaching moment—a chance for Sophie to learn the consequences of abandoning her family and running away from home.

With this thought, Philip extinguished his impulse to defend Sophie.

Now that everyone understood Matthew and Nicole's importance to the hospital, they quickly chose sides.

"Sophie, caring for Ms. Garcia is an honor. Stop standing around and get to work."

"Sophie, look how lucky you are. If I had this opportunity, I'd gladly scrub shoes on my knees, never mind pushing a wheelchair."

The crowd began jeering.

No one present was foolish—they could all see exactly whom Nicole was targeting.

Observing the situation, Irene grew even more aggressive.

She whirled on Sophie. "Sophie, a nurse's primary duty is cooperating with patients' families to provide proper care. Today is your first day on the job. You should know you're still on probation. If you fail in your duties, this hospital will terminate you!"

"Not only that, you'll drag down our entire department. You'll become this department's disgrace!"

Her warning carried heavy weight.

The word "disgrace" turned the surrounding nurses hostile toward Sophie.

Even several doctors present began viewing Sophie differently.

Their eyes brimmed with animosity, as though Sophie's refusal to push the wheelchair would make her the department's public enemy.

At that moment, Dr. Bailey also turned his attention to Sophie's face.

Why did this "Sophie" look so familiar?

Sophie... Sophie Rivera?

Suddenly, Dr. Bailey seemed to remember something.

He quickly pulled out his phone, opened his personal email, and accessed a long-saved document.

Meanwhile, Sophie ignored the crowd's verbal assault and Nicole's deliberate provocation.

She didn't look at Matthew either. Instead, she glanced briefly at Philip before walking past him to stand before Dr. Bailey, extending her hand. "Dr. Bailey, hello. I'm Dr. Sophie Rivera."

Hearing that name again, Dr. Bailey startled.

He stared at the information on his phone screen, eyes widening.

Sophie's action drew laughter from the surrounding crowd.

"A trainee nurse trying to introduce herself to the director? Is she insane?"

"Fresh trainees are always a bit dim, I suppose. Still, this is the dumbest one I've ever seen!"

"Introducing herself to Dr. Bailey like that—who does she think she is? Some overseas expert?"

Neither Matthew nor Nicole had expected Sophie to introduce herself to Dr. Bailey.

Matthew frowned, feeling Sophie was embarrassing him.

Nicole could barely control the mockery at the corners of her mouth. "Are Sophie and Dr. Bailey friends?"

She asked deliberately.

Someone in the crowd responded disdainfully, "How could a trainee nurse possibly be friends with Dr. Bailey?"

"Exactly! Before becoming director, Dr. Bailey was a top cardiac surgeon. Only in recent years, overwhelmed with hospital administrative matters, did he step back from the operating room to become director."

"Dr. Bailey's friends are all exceptionally skilled medical professionals. Where does a mere trainee nurse get the nerve to make a spectacle of herself in front of Dr. Bailey?"

Waves of scornful commentary rippled through the crowd.

Even Philip felt Sophie's behavior displayed excessive self-importance.

Hearing everyone's laughter, Nicole felt immensely satisfied.

Matthew's brow furrowed deeply.

He disliked Sophie displaying such "shameless" behavior in his presence. Just as he opened his mouth to reprimand her, Dr. Bailey suddenly spoke. "Dr. Sophie Rivera! Hello, and welcome to our hospital!"