From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots novel Chapter 34

hapter 34 Making a Stand

Wayne had planned to stop everyone from crowding in—but clearly, that wasn’t happening.

Even Dr. John Reeves, one of the most respected figures in the field, stepped forward. “Calvin, you’re not going to change your mind, are you?”

Both John and Calvin were considered giants in the field of medicine, but their views constantly clashed, so the two rarely got along.

Calvin assumed John had shown up just to stir the pot.

His face went cold. “Just getting rid of dead weight. Why would I regret that?”

John clapped his hands. “Good, good. That’s what I like to hear. Hey Wayne, you already got her paperwork sorted, right?”

Wayne had handled everything the day before–Scarlett’s removal from Calvin’s lab had been finalized and processed.

He nodded. “It’s done.”

John’s eyes lit up, and he let out a big laugh, hands on his hips. “Wayne, you’ve done the right thing for once.” He stroked his graying mustache, then added, “In that case, I’d like to transfer Scarlett to my department and take her on as my student. You’ve got no objections, do you?”

The whole room fell silent.

Calvin almost laughed–he had to be joking.

He turned to John with a look of disbelief and pure sarcasm. “You seriously want Scarlett as your student?

John put his hands on his hips and raised an eyebrow. “Absolutely. What–jealous?”

Calvin let out a dry laugh. “Jealous? I’d be thrilled to hand her off. That way, when your reputation crashes and burns, I can sit back and enjoy the show.”

John, who normally brushed off Calvin’s sarcasm, wasn’t having it this time. The moment Calvin insulted Scarlett, John’s face turned red, and he rolled up his sleeves. “Watch your mouth. Keep talking like that, and I’ll shut it for you?

Wayne sighed and stepped between them. “Seriously? You two have a combined age over a hundred, and you’re about to throw punches in front of students?”

John grumbled and tugged his sleeves back down. “Fine. I’m letting it go for Wayne’s sake. But if not for that, I’d have knocked you straight to the floor. Picking on a student like that–shame on you.”

Scarlett looked up at him, something unfamiliar stirring in her chest–a warmth she didn’t quite know

how to name.

Calvin happened to catch the look in her eyes. He could tell she’d already set her sights on John as her new

mentor.

Inished

Calvin had thought about giving John a heads–up–after all, they still worked in the same field.

But after the way John had acted, Calvin wasn’t about to do him any favors.

“Hmph. If you’re dead set on taking in someone who turned on her own mentor, then hey–hope you live long enough to regret it.”

John shot him a smug look. “If I live longer, it’s because I’m a damn good doctor. You’re just bitter.”

Calvin was so angry. His chest tightened. “You-” He turned his glare on Scarlett. “You really think you deserve to be standing here?”

Scarlett met his glare without flinching. “The ones who came before us worked hard and sacrificed so we could stand here and speak freely. That’s exactly why I belong here.”

John slapped his thigh, grinning. “Now that’s what I call a solid answer. Well said, kid!”

Scarlett stayed silent.

Calvin looked around in frustration. “Did everyone hear that? And I’m the one exaggerating when I say she disrespects her teachers?”

Scarlett’s tone was even. “If speaking the truth is considered disrespect, then so be it. I’m not here to flatter anyone–I’m here to do the work.”

Calvin’s hand trembled as he pointed at her. “You’ve got some nerve talking to me like that. You really think you’ve got a future in this field?”

Scarlett looked him straight in the eye.

Her pale face showed no anger, no emotion.

Just a calm, almost mocking smile as she looked straight at him.

“I don’t care about cliques or politics. I chose medicine to help people. I’m not here to play games. I’m here to study, to grow, and to save lives.”

The room went still.

Her words were steady, direct, and powerful.

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