ONLINE NOVEL XO Chapter 1720
Chapter 1720 A Doctor's Job
Nigel understood the implication. They would pin everything on him if he didn't leave, framing it as a medical malpractice case.
Taking a deep breath, he replied, "Alright, I'll go home and rest."
Lennon finally looked satisfied and walked out of the room.
However, he didn't leave right away. Instead, he went to the decontamination chamber, thoroughly disinfected himself from head to toe, and passed through two more sterilization stations before stepping out. Even the clothes he had worn earlier were discarded.
"Burn them," Lennon instructed, narrowing his eyes as he wiped his hands with a wet wipe. "What a stubborn fool. I had to waste so much time talking to him. What if he infected me?"
A fellow doctor standing beside him reassured him, "Don't worry, Mr. Haroth. Your protective suit is the highest grade available. You'll be fine."
Lennon smiled with satisfaction. "We're all colleagues. If Nigel had half your sense, he'd have been promoted ages ago. But no, he's a blockhead. How could he expect any higher-up to agree to large-scale containment for an issue that hasn't yet made a real impact?
"Imagine locking down the entire western side of the city-do you know how much economic loss that would cause? If this blows up, none of the officials in charge will escape accountability. Nigel just can't see the bigger picture!"
Although his words were cynical, they weren't entirely wrong. The higher-ups weren't interested in a dramatic response to a situation that hadn't escalated yet. Their priority was suppressing the issue as much as possible.
If containment failed, they'd deal with the fallout then. But admitting failure now would mean risking their careers!
When the other hospital colleagues heard about this, some of them tried to reason with Nigel.
"Don't act rashly. Let's keep investigating the infection's source. Maybe we're overthinking this."
A young nurse, who looked like a newly appointed intern, chimed in, "Yeah, Dr. Alistair! You're so skilled-I'm sure we can save everyone!"
But just as she finished speaking, a commotion erupted nearby.
"Patient in bed 32! Check the patient in bed 32! They can't breathe!" someone shouted urgently.
The young nurse immediately turned and rushed into the patient's room. Nigel moved even faster, his skills honed by years of experience.
Yet, no matter what he did, the patient's heartbeat and pulse were gone within a single minute.
He froze in place, staring at the now lifeless body on the bed. His expression carried not just shock but a deep, indescribable sorrow.
It was often said that doctors, having witnessed so much life and death, may have grown accustomed to it. But no one ever realized that it was only a rational acceptance. More than anyone else, they hoped to save the lives of those lying on the hospital bed with their own hands.
Some entered the medical field for practical reasons-job security and steady income. But others, like Nigel, chose it for a simple and noble reason-to save lives.
Hence, when he saw the young nurse fighting back tears and the other junior staff standing behind him, equally shaken, he made a decision.
They could be crushed like ants beneath the wheel of bureaucracy, but people still deserved to know the truth!
"Dr. Alistair, what are you doing? Hurry up and pack your things!" The voice came through the intercom.
At this moment, that order's irony was almost unbearable.
Nigel's lips curled into a faint, bitter smile. He looked up and replied, "I'll leave once I'm finished here."
"Are you leaving?" The young nurse was the first to speak, her voice trembling. "What about us? What are we supposed to do?"
Indeed, what about them? These people had families at home.
"Meet me in the disinfection room. I have something to say," Nigel said, turning away. Even if he was going to be taken away, there were things he had to say and do as a doctor.