I went to a fencing club . I suited up in the heavy protective gear , pulled on the helmet , and gripped the cold steel of the épée . I channeled all my rage and suffocating frustration into the sharp , clean lines of the duel . The next day , a file appeared in the department's group chat , posted by Ryan . The title was : A Trial Initiative for the Optimization of Departmental Charting Standards in Alignment with Advanced International Medical Documentation Systems . It was a dozen - page PDF filled with convoluted charts and jargon , outlining a brand - new template for patient notes . It demanded that all medical terms be written out in their full , official names - no common abbreviations allowed - and added numerous new sections for data analysis and literature citations . The group chat went silent . A few seconds later , my phone exploded with private messages . " George , what the hell is this guy's problem ? He wants us to write a Ph.D. thesis for every patient chart ? " " Is he insane ? We're treating people in America , not writing for some European journal . What's with all this pretentious crap? " " During rounds today , he insisted a nurse say ' cardiac pulsation frequency ' instead of ' heart rate . ' It's just making things more com- plicated for no reason ! " " This isn't about international standards ; it's about creating pointless busy work ! By the time we finish one of his charts , the patient in the ER will be long dead ! " " He's a textbook doctor . All theory , no practice . " I saw Ryan's condescending announcement in the chat and said nothing . An older colleague messaged me , asking what a few of the " standardized terminologies " even meant . I quietly explained them to him . Then I shut off my phone . My complete detachment and Ryan's clueless micromanagement created a stark contrast in the department . I used to be the anc- hor . No matter how chaotic the emergency , everyone felt grounded when I was there . Now , every time a critical case came in , the ward devolved into panic and confusion . Ryan would just stand on the sidelines , barking orders using his new " standardized terms , " never getting his own hands dirty . The resentment among my colleagues was growing thicker by the day . People started whispering about how much they missed my efficiency and decisiveness . I knew what they were waiting for . They were waiting for a real crisis to erupt . I submitted my request for annual leave to Dr. Matthews . Thirty days . The full amount of vacation time I'd accrued over the past five years . His face darkened the moment he saw the form . " George , what is the meaning of this ? " He crumpled the paper and threw it at me . " The department is short - staffed as it is . Are you taking this much time off just to spite me ? " He lowered his voice , his tone laced with menace . " Don't think you're untouchable just because you're a resident now . You have a long career ahead of you . Piss me off , and I have plenty of ways to make sure you never practice in this state again . You think a demotion is bad ? Believe me , I can have you fired . " Chapter 1 1157 I said nothing . I just reached into my pocket , pulled out the report from my recent physical , and placed it on his desk . " Dr. Matthews , I've been experiencing cardiac arrhythmias . My doctor has advised complete rest . " My voice was calm , almost serene . " Long - term , high - stress work isn't good for the heart . As a senior physician , you understand that better than anyone . " He snatched the report , his face shifting from red to pale as he scanned it . He couldn't find a single thing to argue against . " Hmph ! " he grunted , grabbing a pen and angrily scrawling his signature on my leave request . As I turned to leave , Monica appeared , clinging to Ryan's arm . " Well , well , if it isn't Dr. Cole , " she said , her voice dripping with sarcasm . " Couldn't handle a little setback , so you're running away ? " Ryan puffed out his chest . " Some people just don't have the mental fortitude . Back where I trained , people like him would have washed out on day one . " " Don't think the department can't function without you , " Monica added , her eyes flashing . " Ryan is ten times the doctor you'll ever be . He's a true professional . " I didn't even bother to look at them as I walked out of the office . Sarah , the head nurse , caught me at the end of the hall . " George . " She pressed an apple into my hand . " You remember that woman you saved the other day ? The one from the video ? " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!