The dean's gaze landed on my ruined hand. His eyes went wide with disbelief.
Edna's hand came down on the dean's shoulder.
"Either you tell me the truth yourselves, or I dig it up personally."
The dean flinched.
If Edna uncovered the truth on her own, the consequences would be far worse than a voluntary confession.
I raised my left hand and pointed straight at Chad.
"It was him! He insisted on cracking the chest single-handed! That's what nicked the aorta and caused the massive hemorrhage—"
"You're lying!"
Dean Edwards's voice cut through the room like a whip.
"You wanted to one-up Dr. Armstrong, so you showed off by operating single-handed. And when things went wrong, you severed your own right hand to fake evidence that you weren't the one performing the surgery!"
I stared at her in disbelief.
"Dean Edwards, what are you talking about? The records clearly show Chad Armstrong was the operating surgeon!"
"He's a newcomer. Pinning the blame on him would've been the easiest thing in the world for you."
She had moved closer to me.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
Her voice dropped to a whisper only the two of us could hear.
"I'm sorry, but your right hand is destroyed. You're useless now. Chad may be green, but he still has the potential to become a great surgeon someday. That agreement we had before? Forget it."
The smile on Edna's lips faded, degree by degree.
"Get four cars. Tie this piece of trash's hands and feet to each one, and drive them in different directions." Her voice was ice. "I want to see how many pieces he ends up in."
Then her gaze dropped to my severed hand.
One eyebrow arched.
"Oh, right. One of your hands is already gone. Tie the rope around his neck instead."
The bodyguards actually brought ropes. They lashed my limbs to four Rolls-Royces, one rope per car.
I thrashed with everything I had. Nellie leaned close, her voice soft and soothing.
"Ms. Henson won't actually kill you. She's just punishing you a little to make a point. Be good. Just endure it and it'll be over."
Behind me, Chad cried out in pain.
Nellie spun around immediately and rushed toward him.
The engines roared to life.
I screamed until my voice shattered.
"The person who harmed your brother is someone else! I have proof!"
Edna's brow furrowed. She looked at me.
I locked my gaze onto hers with every ounce of strength I had left.
"The person who approved the single-handed open-chest surgery, who destroyed the evidence afterward, who shielded the real culprit, who lied to your face. I have proof of all of it!"
"Ms. Henson, he's lost his mind..."
Dean Edwards sidled up with a placating smile, reaching for Edna's arm.
Edna shoved her away, eyes rimmed red.
She leaned down toward me.
"You get one chance."
