Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

The examiner reminded him, "Instead of fighting for first place, you're still over here, playing the charming hero, flirting around. Gotta say, you're the boldest contestant I've ever seen!"

Andrew chuckled. "Oh, come on, you're too kind. I'm just doing okay."

The examiner's bald head twitched visibly, his scalp tightening with annoyance. He thought, 'Damn, this kid really has an attitude problem, strutting around like he owns the place.'

The examiner did not like it one bit, but there was nothing he could do. He could not take Andrew down, and that made his blood boil.

The examiner felt extremely frustrated.

Despite his laid-back demeanor, Andrew's mind was always sharp. He kept a careful eye on the ticking clock and the shifting dynamics of the competition. He glanced over at Francesca, who seemed to be handling her side just fine.

Satisfied, he turned back to his own patient, a deaf-mute with severe burns covering a large part of his body-one of the most challenging cases on the floor.

Andrew worked quickly, disinfecting and anesthetizing his patient before using his gold acupuncture needles to carefully unblock the clogged eardrums. He tackled the patient's complex issues one by one, methodically clearing each hurdle.

For him, this was routine-nothing he could not handle.

Still, a shadow of suspicion crossed his mind.

Was it just a coincidence that he had drawn one of the toughest cases, or had those two old foxes at the Advanced Medical Institute arranged this on purpose?

He did not bother pondering it further. His approach was simple: crush every challenge in his path. Despite that, he made a mental note of the Advanced Medical Institute's targeted approach.

Time flew by, and half an hour had passed. Both Thomas and Mosby had already finished treating their patients. After a quick check, the examiners confirmed their success, allowing them to advance

Someone cheered, "As expected of Blumedale's renowned medical master. Dr. Lake is truly incredible!"

"Dr. Bozzelli of Blumedale Hospital is no less impressive. These two seem destined for the championship!"

"Oh, look at that! The petite, attractive lady doctor from Blumedale Hospital has also passed. She's truly a dark horse!"

Francesca completed the treatment of her patient in less than an hour. She passed smoothly and immediately received a round of enthusiastic applause.

An hour passed, and Preston and

Clifford's deadline-setting voices et

echoed around the venue. "There are 20 minutes left! One hour and twenty minutes is the absolute limit!"

One contestant, hearing the countdown, started to panic. His hand trembled as he stitched a wound, causing internal bleeding. Itnoveldrama

was not a fatal mistake, but

was

enough to fail him. '

Two specialists quickly stepped in, stabilized the patient, and whisked them away.

As the final three minutes ticked down, Andrew paused, letting out a low curse. "Those two old bastards, and Mosby, too... They're really trying to mess with me here."

It was not that the procedures were complex for him, but even small problems piled up could wear anyone down. Still, in the end, he made it through.

"Lucky bastard. He managed to scrape by again," the bald examiner muttered through gritted teeth, unable to hide his envy.

Andrew just smirked. He knew the old guy was bitter. Surviving the seventh round meant he was now a standout—a rising star in the medical world, someone powerful.