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I knew Olivia misunderstood,so despite the pain,I stayed calm.
"Miss,you're mistaken.Those flowers were a patient's thank-you.There's nothing between us."
My eyes stung—I needed water—but Olivia wouldn't relent.
Her face twisted with rage.
"Nothing?A patient gives a doctor flowers?Who buys that?"
"What a bitch,hitting on a patient.Bet she's a real sleaze in private."
"Look at the comments.See how they're ripping you apart,you shameless doctor."
She shoved her phone in my face.
The comments were vile,calling me every name in the book.
"Some doctor.Spreads her legs instead of working hard."
"Bet she wears lingerie under that coat,hooking up in patient rooms."
"Just a whore."
The mob saw the comments and laughed.
Olivia gloated,her eyes dripping with contempt.
I read her look:You're nothing but a cheap sellout.
When I didn't back down,she grabbed used needles,aiming for me.
Hospital needles,tainted with patient blood,could carry countless diseases.
Terrified,I thrashed."Please,stop!Your boyfriend's waiting in the OR.You don't want him to die,do you?"
My voice cracked,pleading,hoping she'd think of Ethan.
Beep beep!
Ethan's call came through.
Relief hit—I could explain.
The comments erupted,the mob exchanging looks.
"Whoa,is this for real?Are we holding up a surgeon?"
"Doesn't change her being a homewrecker.It's just a surgery."
"I'm sending gifts.Answer the call—let's hear this."
Rockets and cars flooded the screen with effects.
The mob,greedy for gifts,urged Olivia to answer.
I stared at the phone,hoping for rescue.
Olivia reluctantly picked up.
Ethan's carefree voice boomed in the quiet lounge.
"Dr.Evans,when are you coming to'spoil'me?I'm waiting."
My heart sank.I'd forgotten Ethan's flirty,reckless way of talking.
I tried to explain,but Olivia hung up,sneering.
"Ha!I'm with him 24/7,and you,a doctor,swooped in."
"Surgery?On a bed,maybe?"
She waved a needle at my face.My pulse raced.
No explanation worked—she was consumed by fury.
The comments and mob dismissed my claim about the surgery.
"It's past 8 PM.Surgery?Who does she think she's fooling?"
"A slut like her?Probably slept her way into getting her license.She'd end up killing a patient in the OR."
"Carve her face up,host!We'll send you gifts for it."
I fought back as hard as I could,but they pinned me down.
Olivia stabbed a needle into my face,then another,switching needles with each strike.
All hope drained from me.
Earlier that day,we had drawn blood from syphilitic patients.
A colleague of mine once got infected this way.
I could only pray my vaccines were still effective.
