Chapter 9: The Secret Behind the Doctor's Coat

Before Alina could react, the nurse immediately pulled her into a tight hug.

"Oh my God, who is this now?" she groaned internally.

Alina froze, feeling stiff in the embrace.

"Hey, you've changed!" the nurse protested. "You used to be so excited whenever you saw me. I've been on leave for a long time, but you didn't even ask how I was doing!"

Alina remained silent, looking confused. She had no idea who this woman was. But she couldn't exactly say that out loud.

"I-I've been busy taking care of patients," she replied, slowly pulling away from the woman.

She wasn't comfortable with physical contact, not even with other women. Let alone men—if it weren't for this situation, she might have killed him already. But now, she was a doctor. Killing was not an option.

"Eh? Where are you going?" the nurse asked.

"To rest," Alina answered flatly. "If there's a patient, find me in my office."

The nurse grew suspicious. After Alina left, she started investigating what had happened during her leave. It didn't take long to find something strange about the doctor.

"She's different... like a stranger," she murmured.

Meanwhile, Alina reached her office. Her mind was still occupied with thoughts of Axel. There had been no news from him since yesterday. She tried calling again, but there was still no answer.

"Where is that kid?" she muttered, tossing her phone onto the bed. "He wouldn't ignore me unless he was in danger."

Her eyes widened. She hurriedly opened her laptop to track Axel's location. But the result was nothing. No signal.

"What's going on? Why can't he be tracked?"

Dark thoughts started flooding her mind, but before she could dwell on them, her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Doctor, please check on the VIP patient on the 20th floor," a nurse said. "Sorry, the assigned doctor isn't available."

Alina let out a sharp sigh. She hadn't slept since last night, and now she was being called in for an emergency task.

"Must be nice to ditch responsibilities," she grumbled.

Without another word, she headed to the VIP room. It was on the top floor, the farthest from her resting area. To save time, she took the staff elevator, which went straight to the floor without stopping.

As she stepped out, she had to pass through the hospital staff lounge. There, she was immediately greeted by the same nurse who had hugged her earlier.

"Hey, Aileen."

Alina froze, unsure of what to say.

"I'm Lana. Did you forget me?"

Alina thought quickly. "Oh, sorry, Nurse Lana. I still can't remember everything."

Lana looked relieved. She assumed Alina had lost her memory due to an accident.

"It's okay, I'll help you remember," she said kindly. "Come on, let's go to the VIP room."

Alina simply smiled. Lana led the way.

"This patient is an important official. He was shot in the leg yesterday," she explained. "You just need to check his condition."

Alina nodded. When they arrived at the room, two bodyguards in black uniforms stood guard. Guns were tucked into their waistbands, and communication earpieces were in their ears.

Before entering, they were checked.

Alina grew suspicious when only she was allowed inside, while Lana was held back. However, Lana didn't seem to suspect anything.

As soon as she stepped in, she noticed that the room looked more like a luxury hotel suite than a hospital ward. Everything was extravagant, complete with a mini pantry.

"Is this a patient's room or a hotel?" she muttered.

Inside, a middle-aged man sat leisurely, sipping wine. Alina immediately felt uneasy.

"Something's off. Who drinks wine right after surgery?"

The man looked at her with a strange smile. Alina forced herself to remain professional.

"Good afternoon, sir. I'll be checking your wound," she said politely. "But you should avoid drinking alcohol for now."

The man put down his glass, smirking. "You're beautiful, Doc. Come closer."

Alina stayed calm. "Alright, I'll start the examination now."

The man kept his lecherous smile. Alina resisted the urge to punch him. She sat beside him, checking his heartbeat and wound.

"The stitches look good. You can let them get wet starting today."

Just as she finished, the man suddenly grabbed her butt.

Without thinking, her mafia reflexes kicked in. She immediately snapped his fingers backward.

"Aarrhhg!" he screamed in pain.

"I've been patient. But you just had to push your luck," Alina said coldly, then grabbed his throat.

The man struggled, trying to scream for help. Within seconds, two bodyguards burst in, aiming their guns.

"Let go, or we'll shoot!"

Alina didn't flinch. Her grip only tightened.

Outside, Lana panicked and called Dr. Nathan.

The patient gasped, trying to reason with Alina. "C-Calm down, Doctor. I was just joking. Please, let me go," he croaked.

Alina scoffed. "You harassed me and called it a joke? What if I killed you and said it was just for fun?"

The man froze in terror. His broken fingers throbbed, but the fear in his eyes outweighed the pain.

Tension filled the room until Nathan finally arrived.

"Let him go, Aileen!" he ordered firmly.

Alina turned, eyes sharp. Nathan tried to reason with her.

"Aileen, this is a hospital, not a place for you to pass judgment. Let him go. We can talk."

Alina knew this wasn't the right place. She couldn't kill him here. Reluctantly, she released him.

Instead of being grateful, the man sneered. "I'm going to sue this hospital! You'll be fired!"

Nathan tried to calm him, but Alina didn't care. She turned to leave.

Lana followed her. "Aileen, what just happened?"

Alina didn't answer. Her gaze was cold—the look of a killer.

Lana stiffened. "So the rumors were true? Aileen isn't the same gentle doctor anymore?" she whispered.

As Alina was about to enter the elevator, Nathan blocked her.

"Aileen, come with me."

She knew she was about to be scolded or punished. But she didn't care. She obediently followed Nathan. They entered a private staff room. It was just the three of them.

"Do you realize what you've done?"

"I was defending my dignity, Doctor."

"But not by hurting a patient!" Nathan snapped. "Your actions violate medical ethics! You could lose your license or even go to prison!"

"So what was I supposed to do? Just let him harass me?" Alina shot back. "I'm an honorable woman, Doctor. He may be an official, but that doesn't give him the right to degrade women."

Nathan was stunned. This was the first time Aileen had spoken to him so harshly. No matter how angry she got before, she never lost control—never hurt anyone. But ever since she came back from the dead, everything had changed.

Aileen acted like someone else, not the student he once knew. She hurt people too easily, as if it was second nature.

First, she injured a fellow doctor. And today, she harmed a patient.

For Nathan, this was the last straw. Aileen had to face the consequences of her actions.

He stared at her intensely.

"You're not Aileen."