Turner struggled to find a counter to Caiden’s argument, his usually sharp tongue momentarily silenced. Meanwhile, Kylee’s wide-eyed panic betrayed her mounting anxiety. She darted desperate glances at Turner, silently pleading for him to think of a way out of this escalating situation.
This wasn’t what she had intended at all. She had only wanted to see Jessica humiliated and defeated. How had she become entangled in this high-stakes contest? Kylee’s subtle signals for help only deepened her dread as Turner’s silence stretched on.
Jessica, observing Kylee’s distress, allowed a small, knowing smirk to curl her lips. Just moments ago, Kylee had been basking in smug satisfaction. Where was that confidence now? The poetic justice was almost too delicious.
Ah, how easy it is to laugh at someone else’s misfortune… until the tables turn.
Caiden broke the tense silence, his voice calm but carrying the weight of finality. “If this is to be a test, then let’s raise the stakes properly. Both Jessica and Kylee will perform the surgery. If Kylee succeeds, she’ll skip the exams and be promoted to resident physician immediately. As for Jessica…” He paused briefly, letting the tension mount. “She’ll leave the hospital for good, her name barred from ever being considered for employment here again.”
A murmur of shock rippled through the room. The stakes were higher than anyone had expected, and the atmosphere crackled with unease. Caiden wasn’t done.
“To make things more… interesting,” he continued, “I’ll donate my entire year-end bonus to charity as a gesture of goodwill. And to sweeten the deal, I’ll also give you, Turner, one month of my salary.”
Turner’s eyes lit up at the mention of Caiden’s salary, and Kylee’s face brightened with renewed hope. But before they could savor the prospect, Caiden delivered his final twist, his tone icy and measured.
“However,” he said, his eyes locking on Turner’s, “if Jessica wins, she’ll be promoted to attending physician. Kylee will resign immediately, and you, Turner, will donate your year-end bonus and one month’s salary to me.”
The sudden reversal hit like a bucket of ice water. Turner’s momentary excitement evaporated, replaced with a sharp grimace. Kylee’s face drained of color as she stared at Caiden in disbelief.
Jessica, too, was caught off guard. Her head snapped toward Caiden, her composure faltering for the first time. Her chest swirled with a mix of confusion and disbelief. When had I agreed to any of this? she wondered.
She had been clear from the start—she had no interest in promotions or titles. She was content remaining a resident physician. Yet here was Caiden, dragging her into his battle with Turner and setting her up for a promotion she hadn’t asked for. Frustration tightened her jaw as she fought to suppress her irritation.
Caiden sneaked a glance at Jessica. Her sharp expression didn’t escape his notice, and for a brief moment, a flicker of unease crossed his face. But he quickly masked it, straightened his posture, and turned his focus back to Turner, his demeanor resolute.
The room was thick with tension as Turner and Kylee fell into an uneasy silence. The stakes were undeniably enticing, but the risks loomed large. Turner’s calculating mind churned, weighing the potential gains against the looming dangers.
Finally, Turner broke the silence, his tone cautious. “And what happens if neither of them manages to complete the surgery successfully?”
Caiden’s response was immediate. “The surgery will be scheduled a week from now. If neither of them succeeds, they’ll have another opportunity to perform the procedure. The first to successfully complete it will be declared the winner.”
Turner leaned forward, his expression hardening as he pressed further. “Even if Jessica succeeds, hasn’t she been here too short a time to qualify for a promotion to attending physician?”
Caiden’s soft chuckle diffused the question with practiced ease. His eyes glinted with quiet authority. “Our hospital values skill over tenure, Turner. If Jessica can successfully perform a type-B aortic dissection surgery solo, are you truly suggesting she wouldn’t be worthy of the title?”
The room fell into an uneasy quiet as Turner wrestled with Caiden’s words. The Grand Plains General Hospital prided itself on rewarding excellence, and Caiden’s argument struck at the heart of that philosophy.
Turner’s lips pressed into a thin line as he considered his options. Refusing now would strip him of the opportunity to expose Jessica’s supposed incompetence and undermine Caiden. Besides, as Caiden had pointed out, Kylee’s position at the hospital was already precarious. The hospital’s rules dictated she should have been dismissed long ago, but Turner had managed to shield her so far.
In the end, the allure of a potential victory outweighed the risks.
“Alright! Let’s do this,” Turner agreed, his voice steady but his tone betraying a hint of tension.
Caiden offered a small, unreadable smile. He had expected nothing less. “Then it’s settled,” he said with finality. “The competition will take place in one week.”
With that, Caiden rose from his seat, his demeanor unshaken, and made his exit. Throughout the entire exchange, neither Jessica nor Kylee had been consulted. But their opinions didn’t matter. This was no longer a simple rivalry between them—it had escalated into a full-blown power struggle between Caiden and Turner.
Turner followed suit, rising to his feet with a grim expression. “Alright, everyone, return to your duties. Kylee, come with me,” he said curtly.
Kylee stumbled after him, her face pale, her thoughts a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty. She had wanted Jessica humiliated, not herself entangled in a high-stakes competition. Now, all she could do was hope Turner had a plan.
Jessica remained seated for a moment longer, her mind racing. The week ahead promised to be one of the most challenging of her life.