Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

The young nurse, sweet and concerned, overheard the exchange. Her face went pale, and she tugged at Daniel's sleeve. "Dr. Charlton, we shouldn't say things like that. Let's just drop it, okay?"

"I'll handle this," she said, trying to smooth things over.

However, Daniel just huffed, flung his sleeve back, and ignored her. He glared at Andrew with pure disdain. "I've seen plenty of lowlifes like you. You think because you're poor and sick, you can cause a scene at the hospital and get sympathy.

"Well, think again. This isn't the place for your kind to throw a tantrum. Scram, or I'll have security toss you out on your ear!"

Andrew's expression chilled. "I've been trying to talk sense into you, but you're not having any of it. So now you're stooping to personal attacks and threats, huh?"

Daniel let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, what's wrong? Can't handle it?

"Let's cut to the chase-I want you gone, and what are you gonna do about it? I'm the top doctor at Blumedale Hospital, and just by punching in at this high-rise, I'm way out of your league!"

Andrew's patience was wearing thin. He whipped out his phone and made a call.

If logic failed him, it was time to play hardball!

Daniel's sneer deepened. "What's a bug like you going to do? Call in the cavalry? I'm dying to see who you think will come to your rescue. I'd love to see who's got the guts to cause a scene at our hospital."

He glanced around at the onlookers, the patients, and the passersby-all of them wary, all of them beneath him.

Daniel was on top of the world, his voice booming louder, "Listen up, kid, there are VIPs upstairs in the wards as we speak.

"Doesn't matter who you call, it's pointless. I'm backed by the hospital director here. Do you have any idea what kind of heavyweight that is in Gabo Creek?

"What's your move, huh? Tell me, what can you possibly do? You're not even in the game!" Daniel was on a roll, full of bluster.

A nurse with a sympathetic gaze turned to Andrew. "Sir, Dr. Charlton's about to become one of the hospital's bigwigs. Look, don't take it to heart. If you're here to see a doctor, just queue up like everyone else.

"You won't be able to catch a glimpse of Mr. Goddard, that's for sure! Maybe you should try coming back later!"

Andrew chuckled. "No worries, this guy's a total joke. He's still in charge around here? Perfect, I'll shatter his little leadership fantasy!"

The nurse was taken aback. What was this guy's deal?

He would not take a hint, and he had the nerve to spout such crazy talk.

Where did he get all that confidence?

Daniel shook his head, laughing, "Buddy, if you're trying to play the tough guy, do us a favor and take it outside. Make a right and show off somewhere else! And you think you can crush my dreams of leadership?

"If you had the power to mess with our hospital's staffing, then you wouldn't be just some regular Joe coming in for a check-up! No, you'd be like me, sitting pretty in this hospital tower, basking in the glory that so many are clawing for but can only dream of from a distance!

"Too bad, you're nothing special. Calling you a leek would be giving you too much credit!"

He was doing his best to keep his cool, to keep his temper in check!

The reason was that it was indeed a critical time-his chance to climb the ranks and become a leader.

His leader had advised him, "Daniel, stay low-key. Only by keeping it under wraps can you make big things happen!"noveldrama

Daniel heard the advice, but he only took it to heart halfway.

What could he do? Rising to a leadership position in Blumedale Hospital was the defining moment of his life.

Sometimes he managed to stay discreet, but he could not always resist the urge to show off just a little.

Andrew had just walked into his crosshairs!

In this day and age, someone like him was a one-in-a-million talent. To be frank, calling him a born leader would not be too far off the mark!

Because in Holtrien, being a doctor in a capital hospital, with the right connections, and the chance to rise up the ranks... Well, that combination alone put him ahead of hundreds of millions, no, at least a billion others!

Someone like this could have been a king in the olden days!

The patients around him were all trying to talk some sense into Andrew. "Dude, just drop it. It's not worth the hassle. You know how things are these days. We're just regular folks, what can we do?"

"Listen, kid," an elderly voice chimed in, "peace is golden. If you can step back and let things slide, just do it. There are some battles we just can't win."