The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

"What's got you so full of yourself?" Faye frowned, her tone dripping with disdain. "You think | should just accept this? You're not

even on my level, especially someone who climbed the ranks by backstabbing others. And you dare talk toabout pride?"

Faye's words struck a chord of fear in the deputy director's heart. She knew about that?

The moment he met Faye's stern gaze as he looked up, his earlier smug expression vanished.

Barbara rolled her eyes, obviously annoyed. "Are you threatening the deputy director? Faye, you really think you're all that, don't

you? Believing you're above everyone else just because you're a department head?"

With Barbara's support, the deputy director regained his confidence and lifted his chin defiantly. "What nonsense are you spouting?

Apologize to Dr. Barbara right now, or I'll have you thrown out of this hospital!"

"The nerve of you!" a voice boomed from the doorway.

Everyone in the surveillance room turned to see who had spoken. The deputy director's face went white with shock.

It was Logan, who should have been resting in his office, looking grim as he entered.

Praying that Logan had just arrived and hadn't overheard the preceding conversation, the deputy director nervously greeted him.

"Logan, why aren't you resting in your office? You've had a long day; you must be exhausted."

"How would | have known about your bullying if | hadn'te here?" Logan scoffed, standing beside Faye. "Since when can you

just fire a department head on a whim? Or is there spower you're leaning on? Perhaps something to do with Dr. Barbara?"

With each word Logan spoke, the deputy director's face grew paler.

Barbara, not as concerned as he was, boldly stepped forward to chastise Logan. "So, you're Faye's high school friend? Quick to

jump to her defense, aren't you? Must be up to no good." Despite her disdain for Faye, Barbara couldn't deny that Logan was a

catch.

"If you can't say something nice, maybe you should just keep quiet. How someone as cynical and judgmental as you beca

doctor is beyond me. If you're that bored, find swork to do. Seems like you're just letting off steam," Logan retorted, his

description of Barbara leaving the interns struggling to contain their laughter. Barbara's face turned crimson.

"Just wait, I'll have both of you kicked out of this hospital tonight!" Barbara fumed, reaching for her phone to call her influential

family.

Logan didn't give her the chance to make a scene, showing her his phone already on a call with the hospital director, and they'd

been talking for over ten minutes.

"Did you catch all that, Director? The behavior of our esteemed doctor and deputy director here, I'm sure you know the right

course of action."

The deputy director looked as if his world had crumbled; his career was over.

The director, back in his office, could barely contain his frustration with the deputy director's stupidity. Their hospital had been on

track for recognition this year, only for these two to ruin everything!

"Don't worry, Logan, I'll handle this properly. You'll get a satisfactory explanation," the director assured through gritted teeth.

Realizing the director's tone spelled doom, the deputy director collapsed to his knees in desperation.

"lI was wronged, Faye, it was all Dr. Barbara's doing. She just wanted you gone, and she blackmailedinto it!"

Barbara, upon hearing this, turned livid, grabbing the deputy director by the collar. "Dare to betray me? | can ruin you and your

family in no time!"

"Save it for the police station," Faye said, uninterested in further discussion, and opened the door for the officers to enter.

The arrival of the police at the hospital spread like wildfire. Logan's decisive actions soon exposed the deputy director's corruption

and Barbara's abuse of power.

Dr. Pendleton, just back from surgery and hearing interns gossip about the incident, was surprised. Barbara had been throwing her

weight around for years, but to see her finally taken down was unexpected.

Who had the power to do this?

Before Dr. Pendleton could ponder further, he overheard a light-heartedment, "Logan is so cool, standing up for Faye like that.

When will I meet a man like that?"

"Just marry Logan if you find him, Faye! They're not just high school friends; he's clearly here for her."

"They're a perfect match, both strong and independent. Who wouldn't see it?"

Dr. Pendleton chuckled along, knowing many had shown interest in Faye over the years, only to be turned down. He had thought

she was solely focused on her career, but it seemed there was room for someone special in her heart after all.

On the hospital's rooftop, Faye thanked Logan for his help, although he didn't seem to appreciate the gesture, more concerned

about why she hadn't confided in him sooner.

"Didn't we agree you'd telleverything? If | hadn't heard about it, who knows how they might have bullied you further. How

many times do they have to pick on you before you stand up for yourself?" Logan's frustration grew, unsure if he was more upset

she hadn't told him or that she'd grown accustomed to facing challenges alone.

Faye, caught off guard by his anger and realizing their relationship wasn't defined enough for such expectations, tried to explain,

but Logan's emotions had already escalated beyond a simple conversation.

"Just gotta run, I've got surgery this afternoon," Faye said, barely taking a few steps away before Logan caught her by the wrist.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Logan's gaze was filled with disbelief. Why wouldn't she even try to explain?

Faye felt a wave of frustration. "I don't think we can have a proper conversation right now. I've managed to get by these years

without anything happening. Let's just agree to disagree for now, okay?"

She wriggled free from Logan's grasp and turned away, not looking back as she left. Logan could only watch her retreating figure,

feeling helpless.

He took a deep breath, Faye's words replaying in his mind.

"Am | really just being nosy?"

Logan muttered to himself, the breeze carrying his thoughts back to their high school days.

Even then, Faye was fiercely independent and disciplined, always managing to handle things on her own.

So, had he really made a mistake? Logan couldn't figure it out.