Chapter 190: An Argument?

"Director Sawyer, we heard that Dr. Vance in your hospital’s TCM department was expelled from Auden University. She doesn’t have a diploma, so why did you hire her?"

"Everyone knows that in TCM, the older the practitioner, the more respected they are. You made Amanda Vance, who’s only twenty-five, an attending physician. Is there something going on behind the scenes?"

"Director Sawyer, please answer our questions..."

"..."

Amanda Vance coolly observed the reporters swarming Director Sawyer at the entrance. The microphones in their hands were practically jabbing him in the face. Each one of them stared at him eagerly, their eyes gleaming, waiting to get a first-hand scoop that would go viral.

Top scorer on the college entrance exam, expelled from Auden University, attending physician at Central Hospital—all these labels stacked on top of one another were enough to attract public attention, even if the buzz wasn’t as intense as that for actors and celebrities. With doctor-patient relations already strained in recent years, the idea of someone without even a college diploma getting a job as a doctor at a nationally renowned hospital would make anyone suspect something shady was going on.

"Master." Mr. Lynch watched the scene unfold, furious. When he looked at Amanda Vance, however, his anger was tinged with apprehension. "Those people just believe any rumor they hear," he said indignantly. "They spout nonsense without knowing a thing! Master, your medical skills are incredible. You don’t need a piece of paper to prove it."

He was indignant and felt it was unfair to her, but also a bit helpless. ’You need credentials for everything these days,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, you can’t even get your foot in the door. It can’t be helped. To a certain extent, it’s a way to screen for qualified people. The medical field is about saving lives, so it needs to be even more cautious and standardized.’

’In the end, it was Amanda who had given these people an opening.’

He felt both indignant on her behalf and resigned to the situation.

Amanda Vance said nothing, watching as security guards held back the reporters. Director Sawyer strode over, his expression grim and his brow furrowed with exhaustion. He paused when he saw Amanda, then said, "Amanda, don’t pay them any mind. I know what you’re capable of."

He had initially let her in as a favor to the former chancellor, but he later came to know her true skill. Even Mr. Lynch had disregarded his age to become her apprentice, which was a testament to her incredible talent. On top of that, there was the precedent of Mr. Ford’s case. Her abilities were undeniable. Furthermore, every single patient she treated sang her praises. Those accomplishments carried far more weight than a piece of paper.

He paused, then added, "Be careful when you leave work. Don’t let those people corner you."

He’d gotten a look at them earlier. They were all third-rate media outlets, not legitimate journalists. They relied on sensationalism and clickbait, so he could already imagine the kinds of articles they would write this time.

However, he had still overestimated their lack of scruples.

He never imagined someone would actually pose as a patient to get inside—and be livestreaming. This was even worse than a direct confrontation.

’Information spreads so fast online these days. If they dare to do anything, it’ll go viral before morning, which will only make them look like they have something to hide.’

’This was exactly the effect I was going for.’

The man posing as a patient looked at Amanda Vance smugly. He adjusted his phone, aiming the camera right at her face, and his words were blunt. "Dr. Vance, as someone who doesn’t even have a diploma, how exactly did you become an attending physician at Central Hospital?"

He was insinuating that Amanda had used improper means to get her position.

Her gaze turned cold. Amanda Vance glanced at the phone, then ignored it and looked directly at him. Her tone was placid as she said, "I suggest you get a brain scan."

The man’s expression faltered for a second before he grew excited. ’Is she lashing out in embarrassment? Starting a verbal assault?’

Watching the barrage of comments instantly flood the screen, he grinned and asked, "Are you angry, Dr. Vance?"

"Not at all. I was simply answering your question." Amanda’s expression was perfectly serene.

"What?" The man froze.

Amanda glanced at the appointment slip in his hand. "You asked me how I got into Central Hospital. That was my answer."

’What the hell is she talking about? Is she trying to say she got in based on her skill? The skill to diagnose with a single glance? Who does she think she is, a human MRI machine?’

Seeing the buzz around his stream skyrocket, the man laughed. He was laughing at his impending fame and at her audacity. ’What an idiot,’ he thought. ’So arrogant.’

"The consultation is over. You can leave now." Amanda briskly filled out his patient chart and handed it to him.

The man closed it without a second glance. Since his goal was achieved, he didn’t press further. If he lingered, he could be accused of delaying other patients, which wouldn’t look good.

As a long-time entertainment reporter, he had a knack for manipulating public opinion.

Amanda Vance didn’t let the incident bother her. She knew the clip would definitely circulate online.

But she didn’t care.

She couldn’t stop malicious people from talking. That was a lesson she had learned a long time ago.

To her, there was no difference between one person slandering her and ten thousand.

She was already used to it.

In contrast to her indifference, the man was thrilled. After leaving the consultation room, he looked at the follower count on his phone and nodded in satisfaction. ’It was worth pulling some strings through a friend to snag an appointment,’ he thought. ’This is a true exclusive. Who could possibly get the story faster than me?’

’I have to admit, this Amanda Vance has a lot of nerve. She’s just not very bright.’

’Telling me to get a brain scan? Hah.’

He curled his lip in disdain, said goodbye to his viewers, and closed the app. His mind was already churning, thinking of a headline. As soon as he got back, he would write another article to fan the flames and make the story blow up even bigger.

There were still reporters lying in wait outside, but unfortunately for them, they had been staking out the place for days without even catching a glimpse of Amanda Vance.

A few days later, some of them had already started to leave. Then, a rumor surfaced that some actress had a new boyfriend, and the remaining reporters rushed off to chase that story instead. Although Amanda Vance was just as beautiful as those celebrities—prettier, even—it didn’t matter. She was ultimately just a private citizen, and the potential for a viral story was much lower.

Amanda noticed their departure immediately and felt that the air around her had become much cleaner.

Letting out a long sigh of relief, she got in her car and drove home.

「Ford Group.」

After finishing a call, Assistant Young walked into the president’s office. Looking at the man behind the desk, he said respectfully, "President Ford, the people staking out Miss Vance have all left."

"Mm," Samuel Ford murmured in acknowledgment.

After waiting a long while for another command, Assistant Young glanced up at him, feeling puzzled. ’I don’t get what he’s thinking. If you say he doesn’t care, then why did he have me deal with this the moment he heard about Miss Vance after his business trip? But if you say he does care, he hasn’t seen her in days and isn’t in any hurry to go see her.’

’This isn’t normal.’

’Did they have a fight?’

He considered the possibility, but it seemed incredible. ’Those two don’t seem like the type of people who would argue.’

’So what is it, then?’

"You may go," Samuel Ford said, sensing his assistant’s probing gaze.

Assistant Young snapped back to his senses, realizing he had been staring at President Ford for far too long. He quickly nodded and headed out.

In the office, Samuel Ford pulled open a drawer. His gaze fell upon a set of keys, and his thin lips pressed into a firm line.