A Degree in Murder

Chapter Ten: Truth and Consequences

Eleanor was allowed to finish the OPTC meeting despite her heated exchange with Truss Industries CEO Zhang Wei. Now she was seated across from Laura Bailey in her boss's office twenty minutes after the meeting was concluded. The gravity of the situation began to sink in. The words of Calvin Green rang louder and louder in her head. Zhang did not seem like the type to let things slide and although she was angry with him, she was angrier with herself for not realizing it sooner. Eleanor might have kept her mouth shut if she did, not that it mattered now.

"I think you know the reason I called you in."

Eleanor elected to keep her mouth shut. Her boss had requested her help not so long ago but now it seemed like she was ready to hang her out to dry. If she opened her mouth now, it would make a bad situation a hundred times worse. So she'd stay silent in an effort to maintain some semblance of dignity.

"You made quite the impression on Mr Zhang. So much so that he is asking for your immediate termination. In addition, he wants you blacklisted from every major hospital in the state."

"If you're going to do it, please make it quick," replied Eleanor coldly.

Laura's jaw dropped. She did not think that Eleanor would react in such a manner although it was to be expected. She sighed and said, "Calm down. You're not getting fired but there will be repercussions or something akin to them anyway."

Eleanor sat up straighter. She was happy to keep her job but something wasn't adding up here. "What exactly did you tell Mr Zhang?"

"I told him the truth. You're one of the best and brightest in a field that does not get enough appreciation. There would be no shortage of suitors, even with your blacklisting. Firing one of the few female HODs so soon after her appointment doesn't bode well for our reputation."

"Does this mean that I will keep my job as the HOD of Anaesthesia?" asked Eleanor eagerly.

"That goes without saying. Look, Eleanor, what you did today was a thing of beauty. You're the first person to stand to Zhang. I know that I didn't give you any kind of backup in there but you should never doubt that I have your back."

Eleanor nodded in agreement but stopped suddenly. With her mind clearer than before, there was a question that really needed answering. She looked Laura dead in the eye and asked, "How many people have lost their lives because of this?"

Laura looked away, unable to hide her discomfort. After a minute and a half of silence, she finally turned to Eleanor and said, "I don't know. I try not to think about it."

Don't know or don't wanna know?

"What's my punishment?" asked Eleanor quickly.

"You will be suspended for a period of one month and a sizable deduction will be made from you salary. In your absence Sosuke will act as the head of department."

I don't know what's worse: getting suspended or having Sosuke heckle me for being... Nope, it's definitely the latter. He'll never let this one go.

"What about little Rachael Doherty?" asked Eleanor.

"At this point, everything is up in the air. Provisionally, she gets the heart but I know for a fact that Zhang isn't done. Do you still want this fight to go on? It could get messy from here on out."

Eleanor realized that she had been letting her emotions get the best of her. This was not a decision she could make on a whim because her entire career could be at stake. "I'll need some time to think things over."