Chapter 20 Beatrice's eyes were red as she staggered toward me , each step heavy with accusations . " " Dr. Humphrey , we're doctors - our phones are supposed to be on twenty - four hours a day . You knew there was a C - section scheduled last night . You're the most skilled in obstetrics . And yet , at such a critical time , you turned your phone off . Annalise , what exactly were you thinking ? " Slap !! My hand landed across her cheek before she even saw it coming . I looked down at her coldly . " Beatrice , have you lost your mind ? " The commotion had already drawn other colleagues from nearby departments . They gathered around , whispering , eyes wide . Inhaling sharply , I raised my voice and spat coldly , " The duty roster clearly shows it was your surgery last night - not mine ! Yes , I didn't notice my phone had died , but the one who signed up for the case , the one responsible for this operation , was you , Dr. Ingram ! " Beatrice's face completely went pale . " Life and death - how can you hide behind duty shifts ? Your phone is always on . Why , of all days , did it just happen to be off last night ? Ha ... Annalise , it doesn't matter if you hate me. But you can't gamble with someone's life ! " } Her words dripped with righteous indignation , enough to sway those who didn't know the full story . " A few patients watching nearby began whispering among themselves , speculating that I had deliberately shirked responsibility , leaving the mess to Beatrice just to watch her fail and be humiliated . " Before I could even respond , one of my colleagues snapped . " Beatrice , shut your mouth ! Do you even realize Dr. Humphrey performed three major surgeries yesterday without rest ? She barely had two bites of bread and a sip of glucose between operations ! " } Another added , furious , " Exactly ! You sit in the office with air conditioning , skipping ward rounds , pushing your work onto others . You have no idea how hard Dr. Humphrey works ! She got home past midnight . Phones die - what's so strange about forgetting to charge it after a day like that ? " Even the family members of the patient I had saved yesterday stood up in my defense . " Besides , Dr. Humphrey fulfilled her duty during her own shift . Last night wasn't even her scheduled hours ! " The crowd began murmuring in agreement , realization dawning on their faces . Even the colleagues who had assisted Beatrice last night couldn't stand it anymore . " " Enough , Dr. Ingram . Dr. Humphrey wasn't on duty - it wasn't her responsibility . If anyone's to blame , it's us for being unlucky enough to be there with you . " Beatrice stumbled back , collapsing onto the floor , her lips pale as chalk . " What's all this ruckus ?! " } The sharp bark of the hospital director cut through the crowd . Behind him , Darwin strode in with a stormy expression . I opened my mouth to speak - but he brushed right past me . " He went straight to Beatrice , kneeling down to gently lift her up . " Bea , don't be afraid . I'll find a way . I won't let anything happen to you . " % My chest tightened , but before I could say another word , the director's authority forced the crowd to scatter . Then , with a grave look , he ordered me into his office . The moment the door closed , his stern façade crumbled , replaced by visible panic . " Anna ! I know this isn't your fault , but listen to me - you must save this patient . Do you understand ? She's Augustus ' sister . If she dies in our hospital , no one here will survive the fallout - not me , not you , no one ! " I sighed softly . " This was precisely why I dared to turn off my phone last night . I knew my colleagues were capable of keeping her alive long enough . I knew even if I came in later , there was still hope of saving her . " And once that happened , the leverage in this matter would shift.W I looked straight at the director . " Today's disaster isn't only Beatrice's fault . Darwin bears responsibility too . " N He froze . I pulled out a document and set it on his desk - the approval form signed in Darwin's own hand . " This reckless ' one - handed delivery ' idea ? It was personally authorized by Darwin . "