Chapter 2The Stepsister's Downfall

My mother is the president of the Capital Medical Association and has significant influence in the medical field. After returning from studying abroad, I invested my first pot of gold in a medical research project in the country. The person in charge of this project is Dr. Xu from Capital Hospital, so the next day, I made a special trip to the hospital.

Dr. Xu brought me the list of team members. When I saw Lily's name on it, I raised an eyebrow slightly.

"This Lily has less than six months of work experience. Why was she selected?"

Dr. Xu's expression changed slightly as he said, "She... her abilities are outstanding. It was a special admission."

"Outstanding ability isn't enough," I put the list aside, my tone indifferent. "I'm looking for well-rounded talents who excel in all aspects. Call all the selected candidates over. I want to interview them personally."

Dr. Xu's eye for talent wasn't bad. The candidates he chose were all promising, except for the out-of-place Lily. Even while waiting outside, she stood ten meters away from her colleagues, as if standing with these people would sully her pristine wings.

"During your job interview, you said that if a critically ill patient requested a transfer to your hospital for surgery, and you judged the success rate to be low, you wouldn't accept the transfer to treat them because you didn't want to ruin your career?"

"Yes," Lily raised her chin, looking at me frankly, not seeing any problem with her thinking.

My tone was calm: "Those who heal others should first be human. Have you forgotten the oath you took when you started studying medicine?"

"I don't think there's anything wrong with my view. I'm the best surgeon in this hospital. Even if you have issues with me, you can't deny that. I deserve this spot in the research team!"

Lily gave me that look again, as if she had suffered a great injustice but was stubbornly refusing to give in.

I was speechless. I was simply conducting a routine assessment of the personnel, but in Lily's eyes, it was a targeted attack on her?

I just didn't want my investment to go to waste. Whether Lily was on the list or not, this interview was a necessary procedure.

"Are you really at peace with yourself?" I let out a cold laugh. "I've seen your medical records. You've been seeing a psychologist for ten years and purchased antidepressants two months ago. Dr. Harrison, you should know that people with depression aren't allowed to work as surgeons, right?"

Anger flashed across Lily's face as she accused sharply: "How dare you pry into my privacy!"

"I'm sorry, but you submitted your own medical history," I said.

Lily was momentarily speechless, but she quickly raised her voice: "I'm not taking medication anymore."

A sweet smile spread across her face: "Ever since Jake came back into my life..."

"I don't want to hear about your cliché street romance," I cut her off irritably. "Clearly, according to your psychologist's diagnosis, your depression hasn't fully improved."

"What if you have an episode while performing surgery? What about the patient then?"

Lily argued stubbornly: "I won't!"

"Why should I believe you?"

"Because of this hand!" Lily held up her right hand, her gaze determined, her voice firm.

I laughed, simply finding it amusing, then heavily crossed out her name on the research team list.

After submitting the new list, the deputy director of the hospital quickly found me, subtly mentioning: "This Lily, she's the young lady of the Harrison Group..."

"Not anymore," I cut him off lightly. "As far as I know, she cut ties with the Harrison family a month ago for a man. Mrs. Harrison has already started the process of terminating the adoption."

Soon, rumors of Lily being abandoned by the Harrison family spread throughout the hospital.

"I knew she got in through connections. Now that she's lost her backing, of course she's been passed over."

"How embarrassing."

"That's right, without the Harrison family, how could she have had the chance to work with us..."

Lily slammed her laptop shut, saying coldly: "I got into the hospital based on my own ability."

"What ability do you have?" A colleague rolled her eyes. Now that Lily no longer had the Harrison family backing her, they were all much bolder in their speech.

"During your job interview, when you said that to Dr. Xu, he rejected you on the spot. If it wasn't for your mother, do you think you could have gotten in?"

Lily's face darkened. What did that have to do with her? She had already said she didn't need the Harrison family meddling in her work! Now the Harrison family had caused everyone to look down on her, yet she was still expected to be grateful to them!

She packed up her things to leave work, her movements heavy. Thinking of Jake, and the plain porridge waiting for her at home, her face softened again.

At least she had Jake. Otherwise, this life of wealth and power would have driven her crazy.

Her mind and eyes were full of that man with a face as if carved from stone. She hurried out, her footsteps quick, but when she saw the Cayenne parked at the hospital entrance, the smile on her lips immediately fell.

Hadn't she made it clear enough? Why did Ethan keep pestering her? Even if she died, she wouldn't go back!

Lily learned from Jake to furrow her brows, lowering her head and walking quickly, pretending not to have seen anything as she tried to leave.

I caught a glimpse of Lily standing in front, and deliberately put on a bright smile as I walked up to Ethan. "Why did you come so early?"

He opened the passenger door for me, his voice low: "The company wasn't busy, so I came."

I discreetly blocked Ethan's line of sight and nodded: "Then let's go."

As the car slowly pulled away, the confrontation Lily had imagined with her brother never happened. She bit her lip