Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Daniel did not even pause to think. "Sorry, buddy, our dean's booked solid! If you're here for medical advice or whatever, Mr. Goddard's tied up for the next six months!"

Andrew cracked a sly grin. "Busy man, huh? Booked for half a year?"

Daniel scowled, not liking Andrew's grin one bit.

Like he had done with some old guy earlier, he shooed Andrew with a flick of his wrist. "Scram, it's not like just anyone can see Mr. Goddard! If we let every Tom, Dick, and Harry in, Mr. Goddard would be run ragged, wouldn't he?"

Andrew chuckled. "So what you're saying is, us regular Joes can't even get a meeting with Mr. Goddard now?"

Daniel pushed up his glasses with a warning edge to his voice, "Sir, if you're here for a doctor's visit, then do the right thing and go sign in and wait your turn! And if you're not, stop making a scene, will you?"

He had sent that old lady on her way with just a few words before!

This kid, he was right there, saw the whole thing.

Daniel thought, 'You know what's up, so why can't you just beat it and get out of the way? However, here you are, yapping away like you're the center of the universe...'

Andrew kept his smile, unfazed, "I'm just trying to set up a meeting with Mr. Goddard. How is that making a scene? This hospital is the crown jewel of Gabo Creek's healthcare, after all.

"However, you seem to be taking advantage of the 'big store takes advantage of the customer' approach!"

He was not shouting, but his words still turned heads.

In a place as busy as a hospital, his words quickly drew the gaze of at least a hundred onlookers.

Daniel's face turned red with anger as he snapped, "Ridiculous, who do you think you are, spewing nonsense in our hospital? Do you have any idea of the reputation our hospital has in Gabo Creek? No one dares to make trouble here."

Andrew shook his head, calm as ever, "You've got it all wrong. I'm not here to make trouble. I just want to see Mr. Goddard, that's all.

"You could just tell me Mr. Goddard is too busy, doesn't have a moment to spare, or give me some other reasonable excuse! However, what you can't do is act all high and mighty, like you're better than everyone else.noveldrama

"Remember, you're supposed to be a white-coated angel serving the people, not some lofty official lording it over everyone!"

Andrew used to walk the hospital halls in a white coat, saving lives. Then, even though he's hung up his stethoscope, his heart has not changed one bit. If someone's in need, he's there, no second thoughts.

So when Daniel, with his snooty attitude and snide remarks, got under Andrew's skin, it was no surprise that Andrew bristled with irritation.

Normally, Andrew would not waste his breath on a small fry like Daniel. Heck, if Andrew really wanted to, he could make Daniel's life miserable in a million different ways.

However, Dantel, the self-important

chief physician at Blumedale

Hospital, could not believe that Andrew, who seemed like a nobody, had the nerve to call him out. Sure, Daniel was not the king of the hospital, but outside those walls, he was a big deal. Even local bigwigs had to grin and bear it around him.

"Okay, so you, a nobody, a broke nobody at that, think you can lecture me?" Danjel sneered. "Let me tell you something, buddy. In a hospital, it's all about who you are, and you? You're a nobody with no cash, no clout, no fancy title. What makes you think you deserve to see Mr. Goddard?"

Daniel was fuming, pointing at Andrew's head and laughing scornfully.