Things didn't go the way Katherine expected.
In the morning, after she left the director's office holding onto her belief in the truth and a bit of hope, she waited anxiously, caught between fear and expectation.
She thought as long as they investigated carefully, they'd definitely find clues to prove her suspicions weren't baseless. She believed this would clear her name and also give a reasonable explanation for the patient's sudden condition.
But just as the afternoon shift began, someone came to tell her the director wanted to see her.
Katherine's heart jumped. Then a small spark of hope lit up again. She thought maybe things had already been sorted out, and the truth was finally coming to light.
Holding on to that hope, she walked quickly toward the office. Each step felt tense and full of expectation.
But the moment she pushed open the door, she realized things had turned out completely different from what she hoped.
As soon as she stepped into the office, she could feel something was wrong.
The room was filled with a heavy, suspicious atmosphere. It felt like countless eyes were watching her, making it hard for her to breathe.
"Director, you asked for me?" Katherine tried her best to keep her voice steady.
Director Wang let out a sigh. That sigh hit Katherine's chest like a heavy blow.
"During lunch break, I asked them to check the security footage. Before the patient's condition changed, no one else went into the room except you."
The director's words echoed in the silent office. Every word felt like a sentence against her.
Katherine's head buzzed. Thoughts raced through her mind.
But she forced herself to stay calm and asked again, "Director, are you sure the footage wasn't tampered with?"
She knew this question might upset him, but she couldn't let go of any possibility. This was her last chance to fight.
As soon as she said it, she could see Director Wang's expression darken.
"Katherine, the footage was reviewed several times. If someone tampered with it, do you think they wouldn't notice?"
His voice was clearly annoyed. He seemed disappointed in her, as if she were just making excuses instead of owning up to her mistake.
"Have you thought maybe this time it was your own error? That no one else was involved?"
His eyes were filled with blame. He used to have high hopes for Katherine, but now he saw her as someone avoiding responsibility.
Katherine bit her lip. She knew the situation was bad, but she couldn't just give up.
"Director, I know all the evidence points to me right now. But I really did check on the patient before I left. And you know me. I've always taken my work seriously. I'd never risk a patient's life."
Her eyes were full of sincerity and hurt.
Director Wang looked at her, a trace of hesitation in his eyes. But he still said, "The higher-ups have heard about your case. They've asked you to take some time off and go home for now."
Katherine felt her heart sink. She understood what that meant.
If they couldn't find the real cause, she might end up losing her job.
To her, that was a devastating blow.
Because of her mother's illness in the past, becoming a doctor had always been her biggest goal.
And now, the hospital wanted her to leave.
Katherine didn't cry or argue. She just took a deep breath. "Director, I accept the decision. But I believe the truth will come out one day."
After speaking, she turned and walked out. Her back looked lonely, but there was strength in her posture.
Her steps were heavy as she walked back to her office. It felt like she had fallen into a dark pit.
Everything around her felt blurry. Her mind was full of helplessness and worry about the patient's true condition.
At that moment, she saw Shanshan coming out of a patient's room.
Shanshan wore a clean white coat, her hair neatly tied back. Her makeup was flawless, but there was something unpleasant about her presence.
When she saw Katherine looking downcast, Shanshan gave a mocking smile that made her face look even colder.
"What happened? Did the director scold you? Or did they finally kick you out of the hospital?"
Her voice was full of glee, and every word cut like a knife.
Katherine's dim eyes instantly turned cold, like a frozen lake in winter.
She stared hard at Shanshan, her eyes full of sharpness and anger. "Shanshan, was it you? Did you do something to that patient?"
At that moment, all her suspicions focused on this smug woman in front of her.
Shanshan smiled even more, like a poisonous flower blooming in thorns.
"Katherine, how can you accuse me without proof?"
She raised an eyebrow, her eyes full of challenge, certain that Katherine couldn't prove anything.
"If you keep making things up, I'll sue you for slander." Her voice carried a threat, hoping to shut Katherine up.
Then she turned to leave, walking like a proud peacock, eager to get away from a situation that no longer interested her.
But Katherine wasn't going to let her go that easily.
She reached out and grabbed Shanshan's arm hard enough to make her frown.
"Shanshan, don't get too full of yourself. The day I come back will be the day you leave."
Katherine's eyes were sharp like an eagle's. She wouldn't let any clue slip away.
"I know you've always been jealous of me. Jealous that the director valued me more, jealous that I had better chances to grow. But I didn't think you'd be this cruel, using a patient's life just to frame me."
Her voice trembled, not just from anger, but also from heartbreak over such a cruel act.
Shanshan tried to pull away from her grip. "Katherine, are you crazy…"