I walked over to the dead ECMO machine . I saw the fried motherboard , the result of his incompetence . I could even see fresh scra- it tches on the casing , where he must have tried to pry a screwdriver . with open " Idiot , " I muttered under my breath . I took off my jacket and handed it to a nearby nurse . " Get me the backup power supply and the coolant . " My voice wasn't loud , but it echoed through the silent ICU . Sarah snapped into action . " Quick ! Liu , get the power supply ! Zhang , grab the coolant ! " No one was listening to Ryan anymore . " What are you all doing ? I am the attending physician ! You can't ignore my orders ! " Ryan yelled , trying to grab a nurse's arm . He was shoved aside by the president himself , who had just rushed in . " You shut your mouth ! " the president roared at him . " Haven't you done enough damage ? " Ryan turned to his uncle , his voice cracking . " Uncle ... " Dr. Matthews avoided his gaze and took a silent step back . The president came to my side , his voice now filled with complete trust . " Dr. Cole . It's all in your hands . " Matthews shuffled behind him , his face ashen , lips trembling , unable to speak . I nodded and opened my toolkit . I dismantled the casing , replaced the burned - out circuits with spare modules , and began recalibra- ting the sensors one by one . Every movement was precise , steady , and efficient . The only sounds in the entire ICU were the rhythmic beeps of the monitors and the soft clicks of my tools . Everyone held their bre- ath , their eyes fixed on my hands . Thirty minutes later , I closed the machine's casing and connected the power . I pressed the restart button . A single , clear chime cut through the silence . The ECMO screen flickered to life, its diagnostic panel showing all systems normal . The machine was back online . The ICU erupted in a wave of suppressed cheers . Ryan's face was the color of ash . His legs gave out , and he collapsed to the floor . He knew he was finished . I finally looked at him , my voice steady . " There's a world of difference between textbook knowledge and real - world practice . The gap between them is filled with human lives . " " This white coat you're wearing ... it represents responsibility , not a trophy for you to show off . " " You have a long way to go . " My words shattered the last fragile remnants of his pride . With the ECMO running , the other critical patient's vitals soon stabilized . Outside the ICU , his family thanked me over and over , one of them nearly falling to their knees . I didn't rest . I changed into scrubs and walked straight into the operating room to perform the emergency coronary intervention for the Orion CEO . It was a complex procedure ; the blockage was in a treacherous location . But for me , it was manageable . 11.57 Chapter 2 In the OR , my team and I worked in perfect sync . Every command , every instrument passed , was executed with flawless precision . Two hours later , the green light above the operating room door lit up . The surgery was a complete success . The CEO was out of danger . As I walked out , one of the surgical residents followed me , his eyes wide with admiration . " Dr. Cole , that was incredible . The way you placed that stent , at that angle ... you won't find that in any textbook ." I just nodded , peeling off my heavy lead apron . The CEO's daughter - the young woman I had saved in the street - was waiting for me . Her eyes were red - rimmed . She said nothi- ng , but simply bowed deeply . " Dr. Cole , thank you . You saved my life , and now you've saved my father's . " She looked up , her gaze clear and resolute . " When my father woke up , I told him what happened . He was furious . He said a doctor's greatest quality is integrity . He also said that a doctor with your skill and integrity should never be buried . " I've already had my company's PR and legal teams get involved . They will handle everything from here . " Her expression hardened slightly . " I know all about the videos and the false rumors online . Don't worry . Orion Corporation will help you clean up this mess . " Her influence was even greater than I had imagined . The next day , it was as if a switch had been flipped . Every article , every video accusing me of " inappropriate conduct " vanished from the internet . In their place was a heartfelt letter of gratitude posted from Orion Corporation's official account . It detailed how I had saved both father and daughter , praising my medical skill and moral character in the highest possible terms . Major news outlets picked up the story , with headlines like , " A Crisis of Character : When a Hero Doctor is Framed . " The court of public opinion had reversed its verdict overnight .. That afternoon , the hospital convened another assembly . President Adams stood at the podium and personally read the official decision to retract all disciplinary actions against me and to award me an honorary bonus . Then came the final item on the agenda . " And now , I ask Dr. Matthews and Ms. Monica Brooks to come forward and offer a public apology to Dr. Cole for their actions . " Dr. Matthews walked to the stage , his face a grim shade of gray . He avoided everyone's eyes and mumbled his way through a pre- written apology . A young doctor in the audience snickered , and the sound was unnervingly Joud in the quiet hall . Then it was Monica's turn . She was weeping , her face a mask of tragic beauty , as if she were the victim . " I wasn't thinking ... I was just so worried about George , so jealous , that I said those stupid things . I'm sorry , George . I'm so , so sorry . " She looked at me , her eyes pleading , as if she expected me to forgive her . I stood among the crowd , watching their pathetic performance , and felt nothing . For me , none of this mattered anymore . Some wounds , once inflicted , can never truly heal . The day after the assembly , the hospital's final judgment came down , Ryan Matthews , for causing a major medical incident and willfully damaging critical , high - value equipment , was fired immediately . A permanent mark was placed on his record , and his case was reported to the state medical board with a recommendation that his license be permanently revoked . With Orion's legal team involved , the board's investigation was swift . A week later , his license was gone . He was also facing a criminal lawsuit for medical malpractice . He would never wear a white coat again . 11:57 : Chapter 2 Dr. Matthews , for gross negligence in his hiring and management , which led to severe institutional damage , was stripped of his position as Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery and demoted to a general practice clinician . The hospital's ethics committee opened a full investigation into his tenure , and I heard they found substantial evidence of him abusing his power . He was likely to lose his pension . Furthermore , he was held personally liable for a significant portion of the seven - figure repair bill for the ECMO machine . Someone told me his hair turned gray overnight . Orion Corporation moved even faster . A sharply worded legal notice was delivered directly to President Adams ' office . They were officially suing the hospital for the long - term health consequences and emotional distress caused by the delay in the CEO's treat- ment , specifically naming Dr. Matthews and Ryan as the primary responsible parties for civil damages . The colleagues who had once flocked around the Matthews family now kept their distance . Some even began turning on them , reporting past instances of misconduct to the ethics committee . When the tree falls , the monkeys scatter . Monica's life was no better . Orion's legal department filed a separate lawsuit against her for defamation and slander . Faced with a demand for damages that would bankrupt her family , she panicked . Her parents ambushed me outside my office . " George , please , for the sake of the years you and Monica spent together , just let this go ! Please , have mercy on her ! " her mother begged , tears streaming down her face . Her father pulled an envelope from his coat . " George , this is twenty thousand dollars . A small token of our sincerity . If you could just ... " I took a step back , away from his outstretched hand . " She's still so young! You can't let her life be ruined like this !" I looked at the two gray - haired people before me , my expression cold . " The time for ' old times ' sake ' was when she was posting that video online , destroying my career without a second thought . At that moment , any history we had was erased . " " The people you should be begging are the lawyers , not me . And please , take back your money . It only makes me think even less of your daughter . " I called security and had them escorted out . A week later , the hospital announced its new appointments . I was officially named the Associate Director of Cardiothoracic Surge- ry , with my own office and the authority to build my own team . President Adams handed me the appointment letter himself . " George , " he said gravely , " the future of this department is in your hands . " On my new , polished mahogany desk , I placed my old , scuffed nameplate : George Cole , M.D. , Attending Physician . Monica lost her lawsuit . The Orion legal team gave her no quarter . The astronomical damages forced her family to sell their large downtown condo and move into a rundown apartment in the subu- rbs . She became a joke in the local medical community . She lost her job , and her reputation was so toxic that no hospital would hire her . I heard she even applied for a job at a private cosmetic clinic and was recognized and openly mocked by the interviewer . A few months later , she appeared at my office door . She was stripped of her former pride and glamour . She looked haggard and exhausted , her eyes dull . The fabric of her sweater was pilling - something she once would have found intolerable . " George , " she said , her voice hoarse , desperate . " I ... I was wrong . I regret everything . " " I shouldn't have done that to you . I let my vanity get the best of me . I have nightmares every single night , dreaming that you've left 11.57 Chapter 2 me . " I sat behind my desk , not looking at her , continuing to review the chart in front of me . Seeing my lack of reaction , she tried to appeal to our past . " Do you remember ? In college , we used to study in the library together ... You gave me that scarf and you said ... " " You're the one who burned those memories to the ground ," I said , cutting her off . My voice was calm . " You never loved me , Monica . You loved the feeling of being in control . You loved that I was always agreeable , and you loved the security of believing I would never leave you . So when I did something to save a life - something that was outside of your control- you felt betrayed . " " You were never in love with the real me . You were in love with a tool , an idea of a man you thought could satisfy your vanity . " With every word , the color drained further from her face . She opened her mouth to argue, but nothing came out . I took out my phone , unlocked it , and slid it across the desk toward her . On the screen was a picture . A woman in a fencing uniform , her mask off , was smiling at the camera , sunlight catching the highlights in her hair . " I've moved on . " Monica stared at the photo as if she'd been stabbed . The dam of her emotions finally broke . " Moved on ? " she shrieked , her voice high and distorted . " Who is she ? Is she richer than me ? Prettier ? " " Seven years , George ! How could you forget me so quickly ? How can you be so heartless ? I gave you the best years of my life ! You can't do this to me! " I took my phone back and stood up . " It's not that I forgot quickly . It's that you were never truly there to begin with . " " Someone who truly loves you wouldn't bear to see you suffer . They wouldn't watch you burn and then blame you for staining their reputation with your ashes . " I pressed the intercom button on my desk . " Security ? Please send two officers to the Associate Director's office . " Monica collapsed onto the floor , sobbing uncontrollably . A few minutes later , two security guards entered and lifted her by the arms . She struggled , screaming my name . " George , you can't do this to me ! Look at me ! Please , just look at me ! " As they dragged her away , I felt no satisfaction , no pity . Just a profound sense of peace . It was like watching a complete stranger walk out of my life forever . That twisted chapter was finally , completely , over . My surgical team came together quickly over the next six months , I brought in several young , hardworking doctors with excellent technical skills , and a new spirit of collaboration and academic curiosity revitalized the department . One of my doctoral fellows was particularly gifted , and I passed on much of my experience to him . " Skills can be taught , " I told him , " but integrity must be carved into your heart . " One night , a patient came into the ER with a critical aortic dissection . The pressure was immense , but my fellow performed his role flawlessly . In that moment , I saw the future of our department . Under my leadership , we successfully pioneered several complex new surgical procedures , including a minimally invasive , beating- heart bypass - a first for our state . We earned the praise of our peers and the gratitude of our patients . The department's reputati- on soared . 11.57 Chapter 2 Before he retired , President Adams had one last conversation with me . He clapped me on the shoulder , his eyes filled with pride . " George , I knew from the beginning I hadn't made a mistake about you . " He gave me a rare , out - of - print anatomical atlas from his personal collection . " Keep doing what you're doing . Don't ever let the bastards the world tarnish that desire you have to save lives . " I nodded firmly . I partnered with Orion Corporation to establish a charitable fund for cardiac patients living in poverty . It was designed to help famil- ies who couldn't afford the high cost of life - saving surgery . In our first month , we helped three patients who had lost all hope . One of them , a young girl , had her mother bring me a basket of eggs from their small farm . That simple , honest gratitude was worth more than any plaque or award . Seeing them walk out of the hospital , healthy and whole , gave me a sense of fulfillment that no amount of money or fame ever could . At a national cardiothoracic surgery conference , my old mentor , the renowned Dr. Langdon , was giving the keynote address . He specifically cited my " modified emergency protocol for extracorporeal circulation " as a case study , praising my quick thinking and , more importantly , my moral courage . That day , I received a standing ovation from the best surgeons in the country . After work , I walked out of the hospital's main entrance . A red Mini Cooper was parked at the curb . The window rolled down , reveal- ing a bright , beautiful smile . It was my girlfriend , waiting for me . " Long day , Dr. Director ? " she teased . " What do you want for dinner ? I'll cook . " I slid into the passenger seat and buckled up . " Let's go to the market together . " She laughed and started the car , telling me about a tough opponent she'd beaten at the fencing club that day . Her face was radiant with victory . " Are you tired ? " she asked . I shook my head and took her hand as it rested on the gear shift . " Knowing someone is waiting for me at home ... I'm never tired . " We drove past the shopping mall Monica and I used to frequent . I glanced at the familiar storefronts and felt nothing . No anger , no regret . Just emptiness . I turned and looked at the woman beside me , her profile soft and gentle in the warm light of the setting sun . I once thought being a doctor was my entire life . Now I understand . A warm home , a partner who stands with you , who shares in your victories and supports you in your defeats- that is the true source of strength that keeps me going . The past was gone . What truly mattered was the warmth in my hand right now , and the future I could finally reach out and touch . 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