Chapter 5

I answered and listened silently, then couldn't help but pull my lips into a mocking smile.

Seeing this, the crowd became angry again and wanted to rush at me.

"He's still smiling! Absolutely cold-blooded—not even human! Beat him to death!"

But I suddenly bowed deeply to the crowd.

"I'm sorry. As you can all see, in my current condition, I simply cannot perform surgery."

As I spoke, I raised my right hand, which had been trampled until it was covered in blood, my fingers hanging limply.

A flash of panic crossed the eyes of those who had just beaten me, but they quickly became self-righteous again.

"We beat you because you value money over lives—you don't deserve to be a doctor!"

"Since everyone thinks I'm unworthy, then I hereby announce that from today forward, I'm stepping back from the front lines and will no longer perform surgery."

I looked calmly at Dylan's face, which was gradually turning deathly pale.

I wanted to see how he could still be a medical genius without me.

Hearing this, everyone present first froze, then someone shouted "good" first.

"Good! At least you have some conscience and know when to get lost."

Some colleagues who had long been unhappy with me showed delight on their faces, quietly celebrating.

"I've been annoyed with him for ages. Finally, he's gone."

Although the director still seemed somewhat hesitant, I could see she was secretly relieved.

"That's fine. You've been exhausted all these years—it's time to rest."

I swept my gaze coldly over everyone. Most of their faces showed varying degrees of pleasure.

Among them were patients I had treated, and doctors I had trained personally.

Some of them—I had taught their skills.

Some of them—I had saved their jobs.

And some of them—I had saved their lives.

But they seemed to have forgotten all of that. Now they were all unanimously gloating over my failure.

But Victoria and Dylan, who should have been the happiest, looked extremely unpleasant at this moment.

Dylan's eyes were full of panic as he grabbed me before I could leave.

"Dr. Bennett, you can't leave. The patient in the operating room is still waiting for you to save them."

"I took your class in college, and I still remember how you emphasized to us repeatedly that human life is paramount."

"I know you're a good doctor who just made a mistake."

"But as long as you're willing to change, we'll all forgive you."

I laughed coldly and shook him off.

"Dylan, are you blind? My hand can't even hold a scalpel right now—how am I supposed to perform surgery?"

Hearing this, Dylan thought there might still be room for negotiation, and a flash of delight crossed his face.

"Dr. Bennett, you don't have to operate yourself. Just be my assistant and guide me through it from the side."

I looked at him coldly.

"Dylan, aren't you a medical genius?"

"Several times before, you had to finish my surgeries. I believe your abilities surpass mine."

"Even without me, you can handle this surgery, can't you?"

Seeing me so stubborn, Dylan's tears were about to fall.

Victoria also blocked my path, her face still wearing that cold expression.

"Bennett! Enough with the tantrum!"

"Dylan is doing this for your own good."

"Your reputation is already bad. If you do this surgery, you might still have a chance to turn things around."

I stared at her coldly, enunciating each word clearly.

"I don't need it!"

Victoria's expression grew even darker.

"Why have you become so unreasonable?"

"I'm warning you—if you don't go into that operating room today, we're getting divorced."

I smiled mockingly.

"Victoria, do you think I can continue living with you?"

"I've already retained a lawyer. The divorce papers will be delivered to you tomorrow."

Victoria froze. She couldn't believe I would initiate a divorce.

After all, for the past ten-plus years, I had been the one desperately maintaining this household.

I prepared carefully for her birthday every year.

I prepared everything for all our anniversaries and practically dragged her to celebrate them.

I had never refused any of her requests.

I had carefully protected our relationship and managed our marriage.

She couldn't believe I would give up on my feelings for her so easily.

Victoria didn't stop me again. I walked right past her.

But Dylan still wasn't ready to give up. He rushed in front of me.

With a "thud," he knelt before me again, crying bitterly.

"Dr. Bennett, I'm begging you. You just need to enter the operating room—I'll handle everything else."

Seeing the crowd getting agitated again because of his performance, I rolled my eyes and fainted on the spot.