Chapter 1 I was saving a patient's life when I cut through her bra with a pair of trauma shears . My fiancée , Monica , posted a video of me performing chest compressions online . " I know you're saving a life , " she wrote , " but doesn't the patient's privacy matter ? And your hands were all over her ... As your fiancée , that makes me really uncomfortable . " The story blew up online . The hospital , wanting to avoid a PR nightmare , chose the path of least resistance . I was demoted , my entire annual bonus was docked , and formal reprimand was placed in my file . After years of dedicating my life to saving people , I was being branded a pervert . So I gave up . I wouldn't save another soul . And that's when the whole hospital started to panic . 1 " George , this is a lesson for you , " Monica said , her arms crossed . " We're getting married soon . Even if you're a doctor , you need to show some respect for our relationship ! " I just stared at her , at this woman I was about to marry . " Are you done ? " Monica froze . " What kind of attitude is that ? You still don't think you did anything wrong ? " " Whatever you say . " As the words left my mouth , I felt something essential between us shatter into a million pieces . Her face flushed crimson , as if I'd just slapped her . " Fine ! ' Whatever I say ? George , we're through ! This wedding is off ! " She snatched her phone from the table , spun around , and stormed out . Dr. Matthews , the department head , scowled and tapped his pen on the desk . " Look at this mess you've made ! Do you see how upset Monica is ? " He slid a piece of paper toward me . " To contain the fallout , you'll write a formal , detailed apology . You will read it aloud at the next hospital - wide assembly and admit to your inappropriate conduct . " I looked at him , saying nothing . His eyes darted away for a second before he regained his authoritative glare . " That's an order , George . And it's your only chance . " The next day , a notice of my disciplinary action was posted on the hospital's internal network and on every bulletin board . The wor- ding was severe . " Improper medical procedure . " " Lack of sufficient humanistic care for the patient . " " Dr. George Cole is hereby demoted , with forfeiture of his full annual performance bonus . This is to serve as a warning to all staff . " Every word felt like a public execution . Kevin , one of the interns , sent me a discreet text . " George , we all have your back . We know you were just trying to save her . But ... 11.56 Chapter 1 you should probably lay low for a while . Dr. Matthews is on the warpath . " I switched off my phone . I could have guessed . Dr. Matthews ' nephew , Ryan , had just returned with a fancy fellowship degree from overseas and started at the hospital last week . The old man had been itching to promote him , to give him my position as an attending physician . Monica's little drama had handed him the perfect excuse . I walked back to my desk and silently booted up my computer . I meticulously organized , printed , and compiled all the case files , surgical records , and post - op follow - up plans for every critical patient under my care . Then , I formatted the personal drive on my work computer , erasing years of my research data and draft papers . A week later , at the hospital - wide assembly , Dr. Matthews stood at the podium , his voice booming . " ... and in light of Dr. Cole's unpr ofessional conduct , the board has decided to revoke his status as an attending physician . " The auditorium was dead silent . " Now , please join me in giving a warm welcome to the newest member of our cardiothoracic surgery team , a brilliant mind joining us from his fellowship abroad , Dr. Ryan Matthews ! " A young man in a crisp new lab coat , his hair slicked back with gel , stood up and gave the crowd a condescending nod . Dr. Matthews beamed at him . " Effective today , Dr. Ryan Matthews will be officially taking over all of Dr. Cole's former duties . " I sat in the back corner , my face a mask of stone . Ryan sauntered over to my desk and rapped his knuckles on it . " Hey . Time to clear out your stuff . " His chin was tilted up , his expre- ssion a perfect blend of arrogance and disdain . " Your new spot is over there in the corner . Where the residents belong . " He leaned in . " Also , your work computer stays . I need to inspect it to make sure you're not taking any sensitive department data with you . " I glanced up at him , didn't say a word , and began packing the few personal items I kept at my desk . That didn't seem to be enough for him . " Oh , and one more thing , " he added . " From now on , let's try to maintain a certain level of professionalism in this department . A little less ... back - alley medic , you know ? " 1 paused and looked him straight in the eye . " In that case , perhaps you can enlighten me . What are the diagnostic criteria and diffe- rential points for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy ? " Ryan's smug expression faltered . He sputtered , " Well , that's ... obviously based on the specific EKG and echocardiogram findings ... it ' s a type of ... " I'd already turned away . Realizing he'd made a fool of himself , he scoffed and stalked off . 1 thought back to three years ago , when the old hospital director had personally come to recruit me from the ICU at St. Jude's Regi- onal . He had gripped my hand and said , " George , come work with us . I'll give you full autonomy . Your world - class CPR skills could save so many more lives here . " What a joke it all seemed now , As a resident , my workload was significantly lighter . I no longer participated in any emergency surgeries . I followed the resident's protocol to the letter : rounds , charts , orders . I handed off my cases on time and clocked out the second my shift was over . Yesterday , a critical patient from a car wreck was brought in . A nurse , out of habit , yelled for me , I took one look at the monitor and told her calmly , " Find Dr. Ryan . He's the attending on call . " " Dr. Ryan is in his office ! " she said , her voice frantic . " He said he's compiling important academic data ! " 11.56 Chapter I didn't reply . I just walked out of the room . I no longer spent an extra minute on any critical patient . After work , for the first time in years , I didn't go to the hospital library to review medical journals . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!