Andrew stepped out at the entrance of Mercy Hospital. He strode to the reception, ready to book a meeting with Malcolm.

An old-timer with a cane was ahead of him, begging a nurse, “Please, doctor, I’ve been on hold for over two months. When’s my number up? When’s Mr. Goddard gonna slice me open?”

The nurse looked all kinds of uncomfortable. “Graphy, Mr. Goddard and the big-shot professors are busy! Maybe try booking with another doctor?”

The old man was shaking like a leaf, pleading, “I wouldn’t bug the bigwigs if I had a choice, but only the dean and the profs can handle my op. Please, doctor, I’m begging you…”

He did not get to finish. A towering doctor, Daniel Charlton, with a frosty mug walked up.

The nurse piped up quickly, “Dr. Charlton, you’re here!”

Daniel was all ice, “Yeah, what’s the deal?”

The nurse gestured towards the elderly woman. “This old woman had an appointment for Mr. Goddard’s surgery, but she’s still not on the list!”

Daniel glanced at the old woman and waved his hand dismissively as if swatting a fly. “Ma’am, Mr. Goddard’s swamped with work, juggling a million things a day. He can’t do your surgery, it’s just not happening! You can either look for a regular doctor or try another hospital. We’re slammed here, and we can’t cater to everyone!”

The old woman spoke up, her voice trembling, “However, doctor, I had an appointment. Why hasn’t it been scheduled after all this time?”

Daniel’s smirk barely hid the scorn in his eyes. “Let me be frank. Mr. Goddard can’t waste his precious time on you! That would be a waste, a real delay. Every day, his patients are VIPs from the capital, from all over Gabo Creek! You regular folks shouldn’t bother, and definitely don’t need to embarrass yourselves chasing after Mr. Goddard!”

His words were veiled, but the message was crystal clear. Commoners like her had no business seeking care from the head doctor!

“Got it, I got it, haha, sorry to bother you!” The old woman gave a wry smile, gripped her cane, and hobbled away. In a place like this hospital, she had to fight for a bed in the hallway; she needed connections! She, a disabled commoner, had none.

So the moment Daniel spoke, she realized the harsh truth. There, she was not worthy of the head doctor’s time.

At that moment, Andrew, who had been standing behind the old woman, his eyes turned a shade colder. The doctors there sure carried themselves high and mighty.

Andrew kept his cool, his face a mask of calm. “Hey there, I'm looking to see Mr. Goddard!” He stepped up, his voice steady as a rock.

Daniel, clearly annoyed, waved him off. “Hold on, I’ve got to sort something out first!”

He turned to the nurse, schooling her. “Listen up, you can't just book appointments for anyone who wants to see the dean or the experts, got it? These folks are nobodies, always bugging the dean and everyone else! Your job is to shield the dean from these pests!”

The nurse bobbed her head, all agreement. “Got it, Dr. Charlton!”

Daniel grunted, pleased, and shot Andrew a sideways glance. “What did you want?”

Andrew’s face did not crack. “I said, I’m here to see Mr. Goddard.”