Chapter 1

Working during my shift, looking at an ECG chart—someone reported me for trading stocks.

The hospital immediately moved to fire me to appease the public outrage.

"Thiago, you've crossed the line this time. You're a doctor. How could you trade stocks during work hours?"

The administrative director looked genuinely regretful.

I'd already explained myself countless times. No one listened.

I glanced out the glass window at Williams, the new doctor walking past, and suddenly spoke with complete calm.

"Is this about the promotion slot?"

The administrative director froze.

"There's only one promotion slot this year. Because Williams's dad is the deputy director, the promotion has to go to him. So you have to fire me. Is that it?"

I asked again.

The administrative director hadn't expected me to call it out so bluntly. He looked uncomfortable.

"That's not what's happening here..."

I laughed.

I'd worked at this hospital for ten years. I'd performed nearly two thousand surgeries as lead surgeon. I'd handled countless difficult cases. I'd trained countless new doctors for the hospital.

Even when Williams first joined the hospital, I was the one who trained him.

During that time, there had been many promotion opportunities. All went to others.

Every time, the hospital told me the same thing: just wait a little longer.

I waited ten years.

But now, to let Williams get promoted without any competition, they wanted to fire me.

I looked at the administrative director, removed my ID badge, and placed it on the desk.

"You don't need to fire me. I quit."