Loren is demoted

Did you show mercy to Paul when you slapped him and branded him despite his pleas?

Brock mocked, his question making Loren shudder as she remembered that solemn evening.

Paul looked at the woman who considered herself untouchable, not knowing a day of reckoning was coming for her.

Loren winced in pain when the sharp edges of the sword made contact with her flesh as Brock tightened his grip on the sword.

You never once cared that the people you branded with hot iron for silly reasons had families dependent on them for their survival.

Brock said through greeted teeth.

Watching them wriggling in pain brings you immense pleasure because it makes you feel powerful and untouchable.

Brock averred.

Loren trembled, and sweat dripped down her forehead as Brock listed some of the things she was guilty of, and every word he uttered was like a thousand needles piercing her heart.

I thought I was acting in the interest of the hospital.

Loren confessed.

Brock scoffed at her words.

But I promise to change if given another opportunity.

She exclaimed.

Loren was not the only one shivering from fear and wondering what punishment awaited her because of her deeds.

Lisa, who was watching the scene unfold, shuddered at how brutal the director handled Loren.

She pulled her legs up and hid her face between her knees as tears rolled down her cheeks in regret when she recalled the agonizing screams of the helpers as she pressed the hot iron to their faces.

Paul,

Brock called,

Paul snapped his eyes to look at Brock, eagerly waiting for him to give him the nod to throw these two women into the dungeon where they belonged.

Drag Lisa outside and have her flogged with fifty strokes of the cane in the presence of the entire staff, ensuring she has a taste of what it feels like to be burned by a hot iron before dismissing her.

Use her as an example of what happens to people who love gossiping about things they know nothing about rather than doing their work.

Brock commanded.

As you wish.

Paul looked at Lisa, who was shaking her head pleadingly with tears in her eyes.

Paul huffed in annoyance when Lisa refused to budge, so he had to grab her forcefully by her arms, forcing her onto her feet before dragging her outside, ignoring her desperate plea for mercy.

As for you.

Brock said as he removed the sword from her neck and narrowed his eyes on her.

Loren cowered in fear as her heartbeat accelerated.

You are no longer the chief physician starting from today.

Brock stated, making Loren gasp in shock.

What?

Loren protested.

It was not humiliating enough to be stripped of her position as a director, but she had to endure the same humiliation for the second time.

She thought but was unable to voice her anguish.

The qualities of a good physician are compassion and humility, two of which you lack.

Brock chimed.

Brock removed the sword from her neck and wiped the edges with a white handkerchief, which he fished from his coat.

Loren heaved a sigh of relief as her muscles relaxed.

Frank,

Brock called,

Frank walked in with a grim expression, which did not phase the director.

Inform Christine to promote Beatrice as the new chief physician.

Brock instructed, to which Frank nodded without sparing Loren a glance.

You are to help Beatrice in her new role as her assistant.

Brock said, turning his face to Loren.

Loren shuddered at the thought of being demoted to an assistant but remained numb after witnessing how brutal the director was.

I am only sparing you because of your father.

You might not be so lucky next time.

Brock warned.

Loren nodded frantically.

She took slow breaths to steady her breathing and calm her nerves because her limbs were numb from sitting on the floor for a long time.

Leave.

Brock commanded.

Loren scrambled to her feet with great difficulty and scurried out of the office before the director changed his mind.

Seeing her reflection in a puddle of water, she gaped as she had shrieked in just a few hours.
She dabbed the tears that were forming in her eyes, thankful to have escaped the gate of death. She traced her fingers on the wound on her neck and clenched her fist in anger.

While walking back to her quarters, she saw helpers and fellow physicians pointing their fingers at her and shaking their heads from her peripheral view.

A group of servants from the kitchen behind a pillar giggled among themselves as she walked past, not minding if she could hear them.

Have you heard the gossip that she is no longer the chief physician?

One of the helpers hiding behind a pillar asked a man standing beside her.

Where did you hear it from?

Questioned the man suspiciously.

He found it difficult to believe the high and mighty Loren would accept such a decision without putting up a fight.

It is true,

Another helper who rounded the corner confirmed while trying to catch her breath.

I ran into Paul on my way to the infirmary, and he confirmed the news.

He further said Beatrice is the new chief physician, while Loren would assist her.

The crowd gasped in surprise as they stared at Loren, who lowered her head in shame.

So, she is to assist Beatrice, whom she used to belittle and bully.

A group of physicians said, bursting out into giggles at the news.
   
Serves her right. She never knew a day like this would come when she would be dethroned from her high horse and demoted to a mere assistant.

A man said, eliciting giggles from the rest of the crowd.

Loren, unable to bear the humiliation and mockery, picked up her pace to avoid the glaring eyes and gossip that had rippled around the estate in less than an hour. It seemed the director ordered someone to announce her verdict to the staff.

Let’s go to the garden.
The maid that ran into Paul said.

Paul said I should inform all staff to be present to witness Lisa being flogged and branded before being dismissed.

Loren could hear the crowd erupt into cheers from a distance as their voices faded into the background. Her vision was blurry as she ran past trees and rounded the corner to catch her breath.

I will surely return this humiliation you made me go through, Jess.

Loren vowed, heaping the blame for her woes on Jess.

You shall suffer this humiliation a thousand times over.

She muttered under her breath.