I leaned back against the train seat , watching the landscape blur past the window . " President Adams , all of my growth is reflected in every surgery I've performed and every patient I've brought back from the brink . The hospital gave me a platform , and in return , I gave it a stellar record and a sterling reputation . We're even . " " But right now , I'm on medical leave . And more importantly , I'm just a resident . " " As per hospital regulations , I have neither the authority nor the qualifications to handle a major medical incident of this magnitu- de . " My voice was perfectly level , devoid of any emotion . The line went silent . A few seconds later , a woman's tear - choked voice came on . It was Monica . " George ! Please come back ! I'm begging you ! " she sobbed . " I was wrong , I was so wrong ! I never should have posted that video , I shouldn't have been so petty ! Our condo is all decorated , George ! Don't you remember what you promised me ? You said you'd give me a home ! " " Think about our future ! Think about what my parents will say ! This is about the hospital's reputation , but it's about my reputation too ! You can't be this cruel ! " She was crying hysterically , as if she were the one who had been wronged . All I felt was a wave of nausea . It was always like this . Whenever I was backed into a corner , she'd cry and beg me . Beg me to swallow my pride , to take all the blame , all for the sake of her " happiness " and " reputation . " " George , if you really love me , you'll do this for me ... " Enough . 11:57 Chapter 2 " President Adams , " I said coldly , cutting through Monica's wails . The president snatched the phone back , his voice urgent . " Dr. Cole ! Name your terms ! What will it take to get you back here ?" He'd finally dropped the pretense of appealing to my loyalty . " Reinstate your attending physician status ! No , associate director ! Your bonus - we'll double it ! The hospital will issue a formal , public apology ! " I let out a soft laugh . " My terms are simple . " " First , at a hospital - wide assembly , you will publicly clear my name and retract all previous disciplinary actions . Dr. Matthews and Monica must apologize to me personally , in front of the entire medical staff . " " Second , the repair costs for the ECMO machine , and all additional expenses incurred for both patients due to the delay in treatm ent , will be paid for personally by Dr. Matthews and Ryan . " " Third , from this moment forward , I will have sole and absolute authority over the Orion CEO's case . No one is to interfere with my treatment plan . No one . " " And fourth , I want first priority in selecting the members of my own surgical team . " A long , heavy silence hung on the other end of the line . In the background , I could hear the frantic , escalating alarms from the ICU monitors . The president tried to haggle . " Dr. Cole , the apology ... could we perhaps handle that differently ? A private ... " " Non - negotiable , " I cut him off . " They chose to humiliate me in public . They can damn well restore my reputation in public . " " Fine ! " The word sounded like it was torn from his throat . " I agree to everything ! " I hung up , opened the train app , and booked a ticket for the next train heading back . When I got back to the hospital , I didn't go to my office . I walked straight into the ICU . The unit , which had been a whirlwind of chaos just hours before , fell eerily silent the moment I stepped through the doors . Every eye was on me . I glanced at the patient monitors . The CEO's condition was even worse than I'd feared . His blood pressure was cratering , and his oxygen saturation had dropped to a critical level . Without a moment's hesitation , I started giving orders . " Sarah , start a norepinephrine drip , keep his MAP above 65. " " Kevin , prep for intubation . He could go into respiratory failure at any second . " " Get me the latest blood gas analysis . Now . " My commands were sharp , clear , and carried an undeniable weight of authority . The nurses and doctors , who had been scrambling aimlessly , now moved with purpose , like soldiers who had just found their commander . Colleagues who had mocked me and avoided me now gathered around as if I were their savior . " George , you're finally back ! " Sarah's voice was thick with relief . Ryan saw me and his face went from pale to green . He pushed himself up against a wall , trying to sound defiant . " What are you doing here ? This is under control ! I was just arranging for the patient's trans- " I didn't even look at him . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!