Chapter 40
As Ellie made her way through the hospital corridors, she spotted Nancy, Alex’s mother, pacing anxiously outside the ER. Ellie had a good idea who was inside, and her heart sank a little.
“Ellie!” Nancy waved her over. There was no way she could avoid her, so Ellie reluctantly made her way to the door.
“I’m so glad you’re here. Alex is injured, but he’s being stubborn and has already chased away two doctors. Please go check on him,” Nancy explained, worry clear in her voice.
Ellie hesitated, glancing at the ER door. “Nancy, I’m just an intern in the plastic surgery department. I can’t treat him,” she said, feeling a sense of unease.
Just then, the ER door swung open, and Dr. Vance Tate, the chief, emerged with another doctor. “Ellie, don’t worry about the rules, Mr. Warren’s main injury is a cut on his forehead. It’s not too serious. Your suturing skills are excellent. I trust you,” Vance assured her, his voice calm and commanding.
Ellie still wasn’t convinced. “Dr. Tate, I’m just an intern,” she protested, feeling small in the face of the situation.
Vance pulled her aside, his tone softer now. “Ellie, do you want to become a full-time staff member? If you handle this well and Alex recovers, I’ll make sure you get promoted early,” he offered, his eyes meeting hers with sincerity.
The promise of an early promotion caught Ellie’s attention, igniting a spark of motivation within her. She hesitated for only a moment before nodding, her decision made.
Nancy, eager to get her son treated, practically dragged Ellie into the ER. After quickly sanitizing and changing into scrubs, Ellie stepped into the operating room, the bright lights above casting a harsh glare. As she bent down to pick up a hemostat that had dropped on the floor, she could hear Alex grumbling from the bed.
He had tossed the medical scissors back onto the tray with a casual flick.
“Lie down,” Ellie said firmly as she approached, her gaze focused on the task ahead.
Alex looked at her, and even with her face masked, he could tell she was frowning. “Who are you frowning at? If you don’t want to treat me, then leave. I didn’t ask you to come,” he grumbled, his voice laced with irritation.
Ignoring his comments, Ellie confidently pressed him back onto the operating table, determined to get the job done.
The bright lights overhead made Alex wince, and he clutched his head. “Easy there,” he groaned, clearly in discomfort.
Ellie, however, remained focused and meticulous as she examined his injuries. The more he complained, the more she playfully applied a little more pressure.
Alex yelped, kicking the bed leg and sweating. “Are you even capable?” he demanded, clearly uncomfortable with the whole situation.
Ellie paused, then turned to face him. “If you’re not satisfied, you can choose another doctor,” she said, her voice calm and unwavering.
“Come back here,” Alex groaned, grabbing her arm with one hand while still holding his head with the other.
Ellie shook off his hand with ease. “You’ll need stitches, so brace yourself,” she said, her voice steady.
At the mention of stitches, Alex bolted upright, panic in his eyes. “What do you mean ‘brace yourself’? Are you not giving me anesthesia?” he exclaimed, his voice rising in alarm.
“Just a few stitches, no need for anesthesia,” Ellie replied nonchalantly, not letting his protests distract her.
“Even a few stitches need anesthesia!” Alex protested, his eyes wide with shock.
Ellie simply shrugged. “Okay, lie down, and I’ll call the anesthetist,” she said calmly, standing beside the operating table and preparing to handle the situation.
A few minutes later, the ER echoed with Alex’s cries as the anesthesia took effect. Ellie finished cleaning his wounds and left him on the table, walking out of the ER alone.
Nancy was waiting outside, her worry still evident. “Don’t worry, Nancy, Alex is fine,” Ellie reassured her with a smile, though her own nerves were still tingling from the stressful encounter.
She then approached Dr. Tate, who had been watching from the sidelines. “Dr. Tate, I’m heading back to my department now,” Ellie said, her voice steady as she made her way toward the exit of the ER.
