Chapter 26
Kantors about Courtney being abducted and forced to marry a terrorist in South Weidan were spreading like General Hospital
wildfire throughout Henisburg
Vera, wary of escalating the situation and tarnishing her father’s reputation as the hospital director or damaging the hospital’s image, resorted to discreet personal attacks against Courtney within the hospital.
“Leant even imagine how filthy this Courtney must be. How could she sleep with those terrorists? It’s horrifying, someone sicered.
“Exactly. I didn’t expect her to do so because she looks so innocent. I’d rather die than stoop so low just to survive, another chimed in.
es so beautiful, though. If I were a terrorist. I’d want her too, sine added with a mocking laugh.
The entire hospital was abuzz with gossip about Courtney. None of them had lived through what Courincy and her team had endured. To them, her five years of temor and survival were nothing more than a juicy story to ridicule.
The sound of a tray crashing to the floor shattered the noise in the cafeteria Lorraine, trembling cereal directly onto one of the gossipers‘ heads
“What’s wrong with you?” Lorraine screamed at them.
(with anger, lost control and threw her bowl of
But it was impossible for her to fight against the sheer number of people spreading the rumors. For them, the truth didn’t matter–what mattered
was their entertainment.
“Are you insane!” the man sneered, wiping the cereal off his face. “You’re defending Courtney so hercely–what, did you have someone keeping you company there, too?”
A punch landed squarely on the man’s face. It was Jay Houston, one of the team members who had been in South Weidan, and also Mark’s cousin. “Say that again, and I swear I’ll kill you. Try me.” Jay’s voice was hoarse, his hand trembling with barely restrained fury, veins bulging on his knuckles. His rage was palpabile,
They were comrades who came back from hell together, so they wouldn’t let anyone demean each other.
“What PTSD got you all violent now! Did you even pass your psych evaluations?” working here!!
the man
said “People like you, with trauma, shouldn’t even be
The man who had been punched didn’t dare fight back but resorted to taunts, calling for them to be kicked out of the hospital
“Exactly! Why do they get promotions and raises after being away for five years? We work so hard here and don’t see a dime more! others chimed in, their voices dripping with envy and resentment
“And they still have the audacity to demand compensation!”
Most of the complaints stemmed from jealousy. These onlookers only saw jay and his comrades receiving recognition and rewards from the hospital. They couldn’t comprehend what those five years in a war zone had cost them.
“You want the money! Fine! I give it to your Jay’s voice cracked as he shouted, his bloodshot eyes glaring at the crowd. “But can you die in Mark’s place
Mark was dead. He had been such an extraordinary young doctor, even surpassing Austin in many ways. He had been Robert’s favorite student.
The
he mention of Mark’s name brought an uneasy silence over the crowd, their fleeting shame momentarily stilling their tongues.
“We didn’t mean to target you, we know you’ve been through a lot. But that Courtney, who slept with terrorists to survive, doesn’t have any ___ standards_” someone tried to redirect the anger.
“Bullshit!” jay pointed at the person. “Do you know the truth? Did you see it with your own eyes? You’re spreading rumors!
y said, how could it not be true?” the person retorted
“It’s what Jeffreys
Jay clenched his fists and glanced at Jeffery Anderson, who was looking down, trying to escape.
“Aren’t you going to explain yourself?” Jay stepped forward and grabbed him by the collar.
“1. didn’t lie.” Jeffrey muttered, his head still bowed.
Jeffery was timid, the weakest of the men, driven by self–interest. It was clear that Vera had used some form of temptation to manipulate him
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Chapter 26
Jeffrey, how could you do this! Without Courtney, none of us would have come back alive. She sacrificed so much for us, and this is what you’re doing! Spreading lies? Lorraine’s voice shook with anger.
Jeffery stayed silent, head lowered.
“He’s not lying. You all know the truth, Vera said as she strutted over, holding a tray, her voice dripping with arrogance. “If Courtney was innocent, why doesn’t she came out and clear things up herself? Hiding like a coward–she’s guilty, isn’t she?”
“Vera, Courtney has never willingly done anything dirty or disgraceful; she’s more innocent than your Lorraine glared at Vera, furious.
Vera chuckled. “There’s no real difference between unwillingly being violated and willingly being someone’s bed partner. The fact is, Courtney is a
sluc!”
“Your” Lorraine was about to lash out, but Robert stepped in and stopped her.
Robert, now older and frailer due to the five years he spent in the war, looked significantly more worn.
He held Lorraine bark and turned to Vera. “Vera, there’s no need for such hostility. We’re all doctors here, our job is to save lives.”
Then, he turned to Jeffrey. If you still have a conscience, go to the forum and clear things up. Apologize to Courtney in person.”
Jeffrey instinctively glanced at Vera,
“No matter what she promised you, you can’t lose your conscience. Even if you one day become the director, if you’ve lost your conscience, you’ll never have peace in the rest of your life!” Robert pointed at Jeffrey angrily.
“Mr. Anderson, everything Jeffrey said is the truth. Courtney really did sleep with terrorists for five years. You can’t argue with that, can you?” Vera sneered, deliberately looking at Austin, who was approaching from a distance.
“What’s her excuse for acting all high and mighty? How dare she criticize Austin for remarrying?” she scoffed.
At the entrance of the cafeteria, Courtney stood silently. Her neck injury had been treated and bandaged, but her face remained deathly pale.
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