A Doctor’s Oath

I had just taken the suspension notice from the hospital director when two staff members from the administrative office walked over.

“Dr. Lane, please come with us to the records room. According to hospital regulations, while you're suspended, you’ll need to cooperate with the investigation from the higher authorities. Until their team arrives, you’ll remain here and review the doctor’s code of conduct handbook.”

I didn’t argue. I simply followed them toward the records room. I knew perfectly well they were trying to keep an eye on me, and honestly, that was exactly the effect I wanted.

At 12:55 p.m., one of the staff members pointed to a seat by the window.

“Dr. Lane, have a seat. If you need anything, let us know. We’ll come by periodically to check.”

With that, they shut the door behind them.

The moment the records room door slammed shut, I grabbed the doctor's code of conduct handbook from the desk and began reciting it at the top of my lungs.

“Article One! Doctors must possess sound professional ethics and medical competency, uphold their principles, and fulfil the sacred duty of preventing illness, treating disease, saving lives, and protecting the health of the people!”

Footsteps immediately sounded outside the door.

One of the staff members peeked through the crack. “Dr. Lane, keep it down! You’re disturbing others!”

I ignored him. Flipping straight to the medication safety section, I slammed my palm on the table and read even louder.

“Article Thirty-Six! Before administering medication, a doctor must verify the patient’s allergy history! Unauthorized personnel are strictly prohibited from independently preparing medication! Strictly prohibited!”

At the same time, I quietly pulled out my phone and sent a message to Nurse Tanya at the nurses’ station.

[Tanya, please reconfirm Mr. Nichols’s allergy history with the patient pre-surgery. Make sure Kieren is present as well. Have more than one witness.]

Her reply came quickly.

[Don’t worry, I’ll handle it right away.]

Just as I had read the message, the staff member rushed in and snatched the handbook from my hands.

“Have you lost your mind? Why are you shouting like this?”

I pretended to struggle with him, and my phone “accidentally” slipped from my hand. The screen lit up on the chat window, displaying my conversation with Nurse Tanya about verifying the patient’s allergy history.

The staff member frowned, tossed the handbook back onto the desk, and warned, “Sit quietly. If you cause any more trouble, we’ll call security.”

After he left, I picked up my phone. Nurse Tanya had sent a photo of the signed confirmation form.

I saved the image, grabbed the handbook again, and continued shouting, “Article Forty-Two! In the event of a medical dispute, it must be reported to the medical institution and the health administration department in accordance with regulations, and all medical records must be properly preserved!”

My throat grew hoarse from yelling. However, every ten minutes or so, I would deliberately slam the handbook onto the table again.

Soon, staff members began peeking in one after another, whispering that I must have lost my mind. Ignoring them, I turned and sent a message to the pharmacy.

[Liam, make sure to reserve two boxes of the usual brand of cephalosporins for Mr. Nichols’s surgery. Also, send over some extra blood bags. Tell Gregory from cardiac surgery to keep an eye on things, just in case.]

[Got it, Dr. Lane. I’ll take care of it right away.]

Henrik might be Shannon’s lover, but a life was still a life. Even if my warning were ignored, I hoped those two wouldn’t take it too far. At least, I had done everything I could.

A moment later, Derek, one of the security guards, also messaged me.

[Dr. Lane, I heard you shouting some codes of conduct. Are you okay? Do you need help?]

I replied simply. [I’m fine. Just a little anxious.]

At 1:00 p.m., with only an hour left before the surgery, I suddenly kicked over my chair and pressed the handbook against the door as I shouted, “Shannon! Jonah! You won’t frame me again!”

Nurses’ voices immediately rose outside the hallway.

“Has Dr. Lane gone mad?”

“Maybe he found out that Dr. Wright has been sleeping with several doctors in the hospital.”

“Yeah, getting cheated on like that would break anyone.”

Apparently, I wasn’t even aware that besides her precious childhood sweetheart, Shannon had a third and fourth man on the side.

In that case, I’d let them believe that I had lost my mind from the humiliation and was rambling nonsense.