C1 Zachary Was Expelled

"Zachary, you've really gone and done it now! Just a few days in, and you've already been fired from Centinela Hospital! You've dragged Medical University's name through the mud!"

Arlen's voice boomed across the office at Medical University, his face a grim shade of steel as he bore into Zachary with a look that could curdle milk. His cheeks twitched with fury, and it seemed he was on the verge of swallowing Zachary whole.

For years, Arlen had been in charge of coordinating student internships at Centinela Hospital, and not once had he encountered a student getting expelled!

This debacle wasn't just a blow to Arlen's pride; it was a black mark on the reputation of Medical University.

"On your first day at Centinela Hospital, I made it crystal clear: follow hospital rules at all times. Did that slip your mind? You've created a disaster; what's your plan to fix it?"

Arlen pounded the table with his fist, his exasperation tangible. He had led the Medicine hospital for more than twenty years and was on the cusp of retirement.

But Zachary's internship had barely started when he decided to flout hospital regulations, performing an unauthorized procedure that nearly resulted in a patient's death and sparked a medical crisis.

The hospital's response was swift and severe: Zachary was out on his ear.

As the one who had secured Zachary's placement, Arlen was bound to catch the fallout. He braced for a tongue-lashing from the university president and, even worse, a hit to his bonus.

Zachary, clad in a white T-shirt and jeans, with a flicker of defiance in his eyes, attempted to explain, "I wasn't disregarding the hospital's rules. It wasn't my fault, I..."

Arlen's hand crashed down, sending cups skittering across the table.

Seething with rage, he stood up and glared at Zachary, "You still want to argue? If you had been compliant, how could anything have gone wrong? If it wasn't your fault, why were you fired?"

Arlen had given Zachary the internship opportunity because he saw promise in the young man who, despite coming from a poor background, had shown academic excellence and a strong work ethic.

But Zachary's reckless actions had shattered Arlen's expectations, leading to a bitter disappointment he had not foreseen.

With gritted teeth and a pale face, Zachary countered, "I was trying to save a life..."

"Save someone?" Arlen exploded in anger. "You almost killed someone! Have you lost your mind? And yet you continue to spout this nonsense!"

Zachary's face turned even paler as he pleaded, "I was truly trying to save a patient, Director. Please believe me!"

"Enough!" Arlen cut him off with a frosty tone. "You've barely scratched the surface of medical training and you fancy yourself a miracle healer? Do you have any idea how close you came to causing a patient's death, nearly sparking a medical catastrophe? And you're not even remorseful! Say no more. After careful consideration, the school has decided to expel you."

"What?" Zachary's face was a mask of shock. "Why is the school expelling me?"

Arlen scoffed dismissively, "You were let go from Centinela Hospital, your internship has been terminated, and your academic credits are now void."

"But that doesn't mean I should be stripped of my academic standing! I can start a new internship at a different hospital," Zachary protested, unable to accept the expulsion.

There had been others who lost their credits but managed to secure new internships.

Why was he being expelled?

"Do you honestly think there's a hospital in Zoplus that would take you? You're on every major hospital's blacklist!" Arlen stated icily. "If the dean hadn't intervened, your story would be splashed across the newspapers by now."

Desperation filled Zachary's eyes. "Director, please, don't expel me. Without my student status, I'm done for."

Without his academic standing, his five years at university would be rendered meaningless!

Arlen's expression was one of cold indifference. "The dean made the decision. I've already interceded on your behalf, but the magnitude of your error is too great. You need to accept the reality of the situation."

Accept reality?

How could Zachary accept this devastating turn of events?

After over a decade of rigorous study, just as he was on the brink of success, the school was expelling him.

Was he to watch his years of effort and sacrifice be utterly wasted?

He couldn't stand the thought and implored once more, "Director, you're aware of my family's circumstances. My grandfather has poured so much into my education. If I'm expelled, I won't be able to face him. I'm begging you to reconsider!"

Arlen felt a twinge of conscience thinking about Zachary's family situation.

Yet, there was nothing he could do to alter the course of events. He shook his head and said, "Your pleas are futile. Expulsion is actually the most lenient punishment you're getting. Here's a piece of advice: consider going back to farming."

Zachary's complexion shifted to one of dismay. "Go back to farming? After I've poured my heart and soul into the last five years, this is how it ends?"

"You have only yourself to blame. Do you have any idea how serious your mistake was? If it weren't for the principal holding back the tide, you'd be in grave danger!" Arlen's voice was frosty and detached. "You've made your bed, and now, retreating to the farm might just be your only lifeline."

"What are you getting at?" A chill ran down Zachary's spine at Arlen's implication.

Arlen inhaled sharply before explaining, "The individual you've offended wields considerable power. He's already declared that as long as he's in the picture, you can forget about working at any hospital in Zoplus."

Zachary's face turned ashen. "This is outrageous. Are they intent on destroying me completely?"

"Considering your history as a student here, my advice is to lay low in the countryside. If you continue to defy the situation, nobody will be able to help you," Arlen stated, his voice cold and emotionless.

"Director, I..."

"Leave now!"

Reeling, Zachary's face was a ghostly white. Swamped by a wave of sorrow and indignation, he swallowed his tears and resolutely turned to exit.

His steps were unsteady, his mind in a fog. He couldn't fathom that his life-saving actions had resulted in his expulsion.

This can't be happening!

An expulsion would render his years of dedication meaningless. His grandfather, despite his age, had opened a modest clinic to earn the tuition fees. How could he possibly explain this to him?

"I won't accept expulsion! I'll plead with the principal..."

Zachary was not ready to give up. He hurried to the principal to plead his case, but his hopes were mercilessly crushed.

He then turned to the director of education, the vice principal, and even the school board members for help.

All he encountered were dismissive glances and even more brutal scoldings.

The reality of his expulsion was unaltered.

Some classmates rallied to his defense, outraged on his behalf, while others sneered and jeered, saying he had it coming.

In just one day, Zachary experienced the full gamut of human empathy and cruelty. Those who used to greet him cheerfully now purposefully avoided him.

At this point, Zachary had no more energy to dwell on these reactions.

He was at a complete loss, even regretting why he had ever bothered to save a life.

At ten o'clock that evening, Zachary dragged himself back to his dorm room, utterly exhausted. He slumped onto his bed, staring blankly into space.

Suddenly, the ring of his worn-out phone pierced the quiet.

Groggily, Zachary picked up the phone to the sound of his grandfather's voice on the other end. "Zachary, why haven't you been calling me recently?"