<-I-L-A-<<< "As told, after the treatment, the patient just walked off and out of the hospital. The man fled without payment after receiving treatment for his stabbing wound. The police are on the investigation, believing that the man must have ties with the well-known mafia, probably his motive was to escape." The news reporter said.

"Wow, Joanne. Isn't this the first incident that has ever been reported with Grand Oak Hospital?"

"Yes, Bob. It is quite shocking to hear that this had happened in the most prestigious hospital in New York. Their clean record is now broken. Dr. Ila Archer was in charge of that patient, one of the new and young doctors at Grand Oak." Joanne stated.

"Should we start questioning their procedures?"

"Who knows, Bob? Who knows?"

I turned away from the TV and focused back on my breakfast. I was currently in my apartment, getting some munch on before work.

After reporting the incident, the chief physician first instinct was to find the man. That lead to the police taking the investigation. Somehow this ended up with the media and it does not look pretty. It's been three days since the 'walking patient' incident, as the media would say.

My spoon full of cereal was halfway to my mouth when my phone rang. I dropped my spoon back into my bowl and picked up the call.

"Hello, chief," I said as I greeted the head physician.

A heavy sigh was his response.

"I tried talking to Mr. Heffling." Mr. Ramirez said. The name of the CEO of Grand Oak hospital sent shivers down my back. He was known to have quite a temper and when he does he becomes unreasonable. With money and power on his side, no one stops him from doing what he pleases. He's gotten pretty old. We were waiting for him to resign or something so his son would take over. "He wants to see you. He has a meeting scheduled for you, I heard that the board of medicine will be there."

My stomach churned. "With the board of medicine? Why? Is this case that serious?"

"It's Mr. Heffling we are talking about. Everything is serious. The meeting is scheduled an hour before your shift. Good luck."

"I'll need it," I told him before ending the call.

The conversation ended with perfect timing. I placed my empty bowl in the sink before grabbing my purse and coat. I headed out of my apartment, into the parking garage. I quickly went to my car and drove to Grand Oak hospital, which was only 20 minutes away.

My today's shift starts at 9, meaning the meeting was at 8. I looked at the digital clock of the car in the dashboard and saw it was only 7:20. I arrived at the hospital at 7:45, having enough time to make my way to the 5th floor of the hospital.

Entering the hospital, I walked to the elevator. I pressed the button, repetitively. Finally, the metal doors opened apart revealing someone already inside. I stood there, flustered, as the CEO, Mr. Heffling, looked at me with annoyance.

"Good morning, Mr. Heffingling." I nervously said.

"Well, come on in. Don't make us late." He said, grumpily.

I stepped inside. We both stayed silent through the whole five floors up.

The doors opened and he walked out. I trailed behind him. We made it to the room where the meeting was to be held. We walked in and was greeted by the faces of the board of medicine.

They were here to evaluate the meeting. I noticed how they two slightly began to grow nervous in the presence of Heffling. They had every control of him and yet it was him calling the shots.

I sat in my assigned seat, which was at the end of the long table. The old hothead CEO sat at the other end while the Medical Board sat between us, three at each side of the table.

"I called for this meeting to evaluate the responsibility of the recent incident." Mr. Heffling said, "Thank you for coming."

"Sir," one of the female board member interrupted. "The situation isn't extreme enough to bring us into this."

"Don't worry. If you think I'll be wasting your time, you are wrong. You'll be very needed." Mr. Heffling promised.

I licked at my lips, trying to simmer down my anxiousness. The worst thing they can do to me is firing me, right? I didn't do anything illegal.

"As we all know, as everyone says it in the media, the 'walking patient' incident happened on the watch of Dr. Archer. Isn't that right Dr. Archer?" Mr. Heffling asked me.

"Yes, that's true."

"Due to Dr. Archer lacking ability to proceed the proper procedure when having a patient, checking him on the system, caused the hospital to be displayed on the news and internet negatively." The hothead for a CEO stated in disgust.

"Can you explain what happened?" Mr. Heffling questioned.

"The patient had a stabbing wound that was serious, and he was losing a lot of blood, I wasn't able to get his information since he needed immediate help and was unconscious." My throat was getting dried. I felt like I was in a courtroom with Mr. Heffling as the judge. "After, when he woke up, I asked him if he needed anything to drink. I was looking out for the hospital by making sure the patient would have the best experience getting treated here. By the time I came back with the water, he had already fled."

"He fled without paying, without getting caught." He reminded.

"This incident has everyone talking about my hospital, questioning its functions. This hospital, since its start, was shined in its glory. This is the absolute first that we are shined in bad light." Everyone in the room can tell that Mr. Heffling was angry as he yelled. The board of medicine all grimaced when his voice rose.

"Someone needs to take responsibility. The police have no sign of finding that man anytime soon. This incident has to be solved and be forgotten about."

My stomach turns at the thought of that. I, for sure, was going to get fired. I shut my eyes and braced myself.

"Ila Jenna Archer, you will be taking full responsibility for the 'walking patient' incident. By that, I will make it so that your licenses and your ability to practice is suspended."

My eyes widen at his statement.

"As for now, you are fired from Grand Oak Hospital, you are no longer considered as Dr. Archer, but as Ms. Archer if you ever enter this hospital again." Mr. Heffling continued.

Right as Mr. Heffling shut his mouth, the room turned into chaos.

"Sir!"

"Mr. Heffling!"

"That punishment is not necessary and does not do any justice."

"That's a bold claim, Mr. Heffling. The Medical Board will not be taking her license."

"You have no power in order for this to happen."

I sat there in disbelief. Was my license being taken away? Without it, I won't be able to pursue my career as a doctor. I worked hard to get where I was at. I spent years of school for my diplomas and degrees.

"Mr. Heffling, firing her is under your control. However, taking her license isn't within your power. I know that you are angry because of how your hospital is being dragged through the mud, but at times like this you have to think clearly." Mr. Norwaya, the man sitting among the medical board members, said.

"Benson Norwaya, do I have to remind you that I happen to have close ties with your boss?" Mr. Heffling said, annoyed. It was clear that Mr. Norwaya and Heffling have met many times before. The tension between them told me this wasn't the first time Mr. Norwaya disagreed with the grumpy CEO and said something about it.

Mr. Norwaya went unfazed, "Is that a threat you are proposing? If so, let me offer mine. Headlines on newspapers are what you are running away from, correct? Does 'Hospital CEO unfairly suspends a doctor's license using money and the hierarchy system?"

"Benso-" the girl next Mr. Norwaya tried to hush him.

"Mr. Norwaya, if you know what's best for you, you'd shut your mouth. We'll see how things play out." The CEO said before leaving.

With him out of the room, they all turned towards me. Every one of them looked at me with pity. Not know what to do, I sat there silently contemplating my choices.

"Benson, you have to stop testing him." The same girl who tried to hush Mr. Norwaya earlier scowled him. "He'll get you fired."

"He disgusts me. He thinks he can do whatever he wants whenever he wants without consideration."

"You're right, but it's Heffling, he always gets his way."

<~>

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