Page 27 of Ellie 1

“Yes, yes, I think I understand you quite clearly, Ms. Reed,” she said with simmering rage in her tone. “I still expect you to handle the situation as best as you can within your limitations. You’re a talented woman who can rein in your people.”

“Not when both of my hands are tied behind my back, but they won’t be much longer. And yes, I will handle the doctor who behaved so badly. You have my word. I will make it clearheis the reason this change is coming about and make it known thelistof personnel who have quit over this reason. Even the list of those he’s slept with. Use the ammo this time.”

“I will. Thank you for your time, Ms. Reed.”

It was hard not to cuss out the phone after she hung up, but I was above that.

I should be above that. Seriously though, what a bitch to not even apologize for chewing my ass out like that.

I took a potion for my headache and hydrated knowing it wouldn’t make up for the lack of sleep from handling the disaster, but I needed to push a bit longer. I had to.

I decided to tap into a few of the million favors the president owed me and called him while messaging the doctor I needed to. I wasn’t surprised I only had to hold about five minutes before I got to talk to him personally. I filled him in on the half million dollars of stolen merchandise and updates before getting to what I wanted.

“Ellie, just take out your damn board already,” he sighed. “You’ve got the ammo and even I know that—”

“Thank you, sir, but I want it to be obvious to even idiots when I make the move, not just those with brains,” I said firmly. “Just have one of your aides put what I send you on letterheadand sign it, okay? I need the assist on this and for the hammer to fall hard on it. I’ve got the right ammo and notice now. I’m exhausted and now have to coordinate blood drives because somehow—”

“I know, I know, Ellie,” he said gently. “And the London pack doing a blood drive is huge. Others will follow and take the heat off of you. Many hearing that the full supply and reserves were exhausted during this smaller disaster kicked people in the ass. Too many are apathetic because life is too easy. I’m sorry it’s falling to you and yes, whatever you need.”

Right answer.

I thanked him and hung up, quickly typing up a rough idea that I would show Alan later before sending it off.

There was a quick knock before my door flew open and Tommy blew in, slamming the door behind him. “I don’t know why you let the board push you into hiring that hotshot, Ellie, but he’s seriously a pain in the ass. I don’t care how famous or connected his family is—since when does that win you over or push the scales with you?”

He went on another couple of minutes, not hiding his criticisms behind sweet words or kisses but clearly stating them.

“Dr. Fitz,” I cut in, raising my voice to cut through his elevated level. “I don’t know your problem with Dr. Clark, and I don’tcarewhat it is. You were called here because ofyoucausing trouble and to be reprimanded. I thought we could handle this quietly without involving the head of HR, but if you cannot control yourself, we can move this meeting there.”

He blinked at me a full minute before seeming to finally breathe but still didn’t appear to know what to say.

“Sit,” I instructed, pointing to one of my chairs as if he was too dense and needed the guidance right then. I waited until he plopped down, still looking at me with shock. “I warned you thatyour behavior was going to bite us both in the butt and to behave better going forward or—”

“Clark. Clark reported something and started shit, right?” he demanded. “How can you side with anything that little prick says over me, Ellie? I don’t know—”

“Dr. Clark hadnothingto do with this and please keep your head,” I snapped, too tired to be calm. I let out a slow breath and rubbed my forehead. “I seriously don’t understand your issue with him, but leave me out of it. You did this. You are—twodepartment heads reported you and I just got chewed out by a member of the board. Clark is not involved. At all.”

Again he went back to shocked, but at least then he was quiet.

Thank the gods.

“Apparently, you did not heed my warning but decided to double down,” I informed him as evenly as I could. “You walked into the attending’s lounge and ran your mouth about people being too sensitive and everything being blown out of proportion. That it was normal andhealthyto talk about one’s sex life and even expected of men.”

“Wait, that’s not exactly what I said or—” he tried to defend, clearly knowing exactly what I was talking about.

“And two department heads were there and heard you,” I continued. “And they were so disgusted with what you said and how you talked about your colleagues that one went to a member of the board they know because you were talking abouther niece.” He finally winced then, but I didn’t let up. “I have detailed quotes about what you said.

“The person in question also heard you talking about her body in the trauma bay. Another staff member has come forward that you were saying unsavory things during surgery and everyone was uncomfortable. So you didn’t listen to me anddoubled down to the point people are requesting off your service because you are toxic.”

“What?” he whispered, his face going pale.

“I told you,” I sighed. “Itold youthat the nurses and PAs were talking of boycotting you for your behavior, but you got pissy and doubled down. I wasn’t out of line and people aren’t being too sensitive.” I gave him a moment with that. “Just becauseyouwant to discuss your sex life doesn’t give you the right to talk about their bodies!

“You would throw afitif you walked into a conversation where someone pay grades above you was discussing the shape and size of your penis and how long you stayed hard during sex. And you would be right to, but that’s what you doall of the time. You talked about her breasts. Their size, their density, and that they weren’t sensitive enough for your liking.

“Are you nuts? In surgery? Where is your head? Clearly not on what it should be or being professional. Then you ranted that she couldn’t keep up with your stamina and needed to do morecardiobefore you’d ever consider bedding her again. That was so far over the line—I honestly wish I could fire you.”

“Wait, Ellie, I get it and that was too much, but you don’t have to get jealous or—”

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