He grabbed the stump of my right arm, ignoring my teeth-grinding agony. "It's okay, Anna. Try it—what if you can? If you don't operate, Beatrice will shoulder the blame!"

Before I could say anything, a loud bang sounded and the door flew open.

A tall man, long-legged and menacing, stood framed in the doorway, his suit askew, face carved with fury.

"What have you done to my sister?" Augustus' voice was brimming with killing intent.

Behind him, Beatrice was held fast by bodyguards; blood stained the corner of her mouth. I shifted my gaze to the man following Augustus.

"Director Higgins!"

"Dr. Humphrey..." The director's eyes locked onto my severed hand, widening in absolute disbelief.

Augustus slapped the director's shoulder, his voice was cold as he snapped. "Do you want to tell the truth yourselves—or shall I investigate personally?"

Director Higgins stiffened. If Augustus uncovered the truth himself, it wouldn't be a matter that could be smoothed over with a voluntary confession.

I pointed at Beatrice with my left hand and shouted.

"It was her! She insisted on a one-handed delivery—that's what caused the incision into the aorta and the massive hemorrhage—"

"Stop spouting nonsense!"

The director suddenly barked at me, his voice sharp.

"It was you who wanted to outshine Dr. Ingram. You deliberately showed off by operating with one hand, and when something went wrong, you maimed your own right hand to make it look like you'd never performed the surgery at all!"

I stared at Director Higgins in disbelief.

"Director Higgins... what are you saying? The surgical records clearly list Beatrice as the lead surgeon!" I clapped back.

"She’s a newbie—wouldn’t it be easy for you to push the blame onto her?" He spat, then stepped closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear. "I'm sorry. But your right hand is ruined; it's no use to you anymore. Dr. Ingram may be inexperienced now, but she still has the potential to become a renowned physician. Forget the agreement we had before. It's over."

The faint curve of Augustus' lips began to flatten into something dangerous.

"Find four cars," he said coldly. "Tie this filthy woman's hands and feet to each of them, and drive in four different directions. I want to see how many pieces she ends up in."

Then his gaze flicked to my maimed hand and his brow arched.

"Oh, right. One hand is already useless. Tie her neck instead."