Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 97: Maia stayed planted where she was, her eyes as steady as ice. Fixing her gaze on the security guard, she said, "Entry isn't restricted today. Half the people here don't have appointments with Dr. Cullen either. Why aren't you throwing them out?"

All around her, contempt crackled in the air.

"Because you're from the slums, it's clear you're up to something shady. Are you planning to steal?"

"We're not like you. Even standing near you makes us look bad." "Go back where you came from! Know your place!"

Off to the side, Sandra stood with her arms crossed, a satisfied little smile playing on her lips. She looked like a queen watching her enemies fall, savoring every second.

Then, cutting through the growing chaos, a firm, steady voice rose above the noise. "What's with all the shouting? What's going on here?"

The crowd instinctively stepped aside when they caught sight of the man wearing a doctor's gown. Trailing behind him were several doctors, who hurried toward the security guards without hesitation.

As soon as the guards recognized the man, they quickly straightened up and gave a respectful nod. "Mr. Ortega," one said, before turning to address the crowd. "This is the director of our hospital, Johnathan Ortega."

The director? The crowd could hardly believe it.

The man at the head of the group of doctors was none other than the director of the Primary Healthcare Center.

The second Sandra heard that, she rushed forward without missing a beat. She jabbed a finger toward Maia's group and said to Johnathan, "Mr. Ortega, let me explain what's going on…"

She spun the story wildly, throwing in extra details to paint herself as the victim. Listening, Johnathan's brow furrowed deeper with every word.

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Turning a cold, unimpressed stare at Maia and her friends, Johnathan said, "Today marks Dr. Cullen's first official day at our hospital. I personally came to welcome her. I won't allow any disturbances. If you insist on making trouble, I will have no choice but to order security to remove you."

"Are you planning to kick me out too, Mr. Ortega?" Elvira asked calmly, stepping forward without the slightest flinch as she pulled down her mask.

The moment her face was revealed, a ripple of shock crossed Johnathan's face. Words caught in his throat. "You're…"

Elvira's lips curled into a faint smirk. "What's the matter, Mr. Ortega? Don't you recognize me?"

Johnathan's voice wavered as realization hit him. "You… You're Dr. Cullen." The entire hall seemed to freeze, the crowd turning into statues of stunned disbelief. Someone gasped. "That's her! That's really Dr. Cullen!" "Wasn't she supposed to be from the slums? How can she be Dr. Cullen?"

"Oh no… I said terrible things earlier. Will she still agree to treat me?"

"Damn it! Crossing Dr. Cullen is the biggest mistake anyone could make. Whoever started those rumors deserves to be punished."

Every head turned sharply toward Sandra, their stares like sharpened knives. Sandra was completely dumbfounded, staring blankly at Elvira, then incredulously at Maia, Kathie, and Ethan.

How… how could this possibly be happening?

A stinging wave of humiliation slammed into Sandra, leaving her frozen in place.

In an instant, the hateful, furious stares that had been aimed at Maia's group now swung directly toward her.

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