The moment Nidhi received the blank check, people around her stared in shock and jealousy.
Because a blank check didn't just mean huge money—
it meant something far bigger.
It meant that Nidhi had earned Shubham Malhotra's trust.
And once someone earned his trust, endless opportunities followed.
Poor Shubham…
He had no idea that the girl he was trying to impress with a blank check was a billionaire herself.
Still, Nidhi didn't want to raise any suspicion.
So she smiled softly and accepted the check.
"This is just a small thank-you from my side," Shubham said.
It was the first time Nidhi heard his deep, commanding voice.
For a brief moment, she found herself lost in his voice… and his eyes.
But she quickly regained her composure and replied calmly,
"Alright. If it's just a small thank-you, then I'll keep it."
She took the check from Yug's hand without hesitation.
"And yes, Mr. Malhotra," Nidhi added, looking straight at Shubham,
"By tomorrow, the ventilator will also be removed."
Just then, her eyes shifted to someone standing behind Shubham.
Tina.
Nidhi smiled faintly and spoke clearly,
"Miss Tina… isn't this the right time to fulfill your promise?"
"W-What promise?" Tina replied quickly, acting confused.
"What are you talking about? I never said anything like that."
She was so busy mocking and hating Nidhi earlier that she had completely forgotten her own words.
And now, with Shubham standing right there, Tina could not afford to humiliate herself at any cost.
But before anyone else could speak—
A nurse couldn't hold herself back.
"Dr. Tina… how can you deny it?" she said firmly.
"You clearly said that if this young girl saved Mr. Mahendra Malhotra,
you would kneel down, apologize to her, call her God—
and even resign from your post as Deputy Director."
Tina forced a smile.
"Oh really? Did I say that?" she asked innocently.
"Do you have any proof?"
Another doctor stepped forward angrily.
"You absolutely said it. Many people here heard you.
Fine, if you don't want to kneel—
but you can at least apologize for your horrible behavior."
After all, Tina had insulted Nidhi far too much.
"Why should I apologize?" Tina said, putting on a pitiful expression,
as if she had done nothing wrong.
Everyone looked at her in anger.
And then—
Suddenly.
Nidhi lifted her right leg and struck Tina's knee sharply.
Thud!
With a painful cry, Tina collapsed onto her knees.
No one even realized how Nidhi had done it.
Everyone stared in shock at Tina sitting on the floor.
"T-You…!" Tina trembled in pain.
Her lips shook, and she couldn't even stand up.
As a doctor, saving lives is your duty," Nidhi said coldly.
"You are supposed to protect patients—
not risk their lives just to satisfy your ego."
"Stop talking nonsense!" Tina snapped angrily.
"Don't try to act smart in front of the Malhotra family. I did nothing!"
But before she could continue—
Someone walked in hurriedly.
It was the hospital's Dean.
"Mr. Malhotra, is your grandfather alright?" the Dean asked anxiously.
"I just returned from a conference—my apologies."
Then he froze.
"Wait… what's going on here?"
"Dr. Tina… why are you kneeling on the floor?"
The moment Tina saw the Dean, fake tears streamed down her face.
Though, somewhere deep inside, those tears were mixed with real pain from her injured knee.
The Dean had always favored Tina and often praised her in front of others.
But just as Tina was about to spin her story—
A shocked voice interrupted her.
"Nidhi… you're here?" the Dean exclaimed.
"And why are you wearing a surgical gown?"
His eyes widened.
"Don't tell me… you're the one who performed Mahendra ji's surgery?"
"Was it really you?"
"Is Mr. Malhotra safe?"
The entire room fell silent.
Not only did the Dean know Nidhi—
from his tone, it was clear he was well aware of her medical skills too.
When no one answered the Dean for a few moments, he grew confused.
"What's going on, Nidhi?" he asked gently.
"Will you explain it to me?"
Nidhi spoke calmly, her voice steady but firm.
"Dr. Sharma… I don't want Dr. Tina to remain in this field anymore."
Dr. Sharma was stunned.
He looked at Tina first, then back at Nidhi.
"Nidhi, did she do something to upset you?"
"I'm not upset," Nidhi replied quietly.
Her presence was powerful, and every word carried weight.
"This is the first time I've heard that a heart-failure patient with a pulmonary valve leak is treated using deep anesthesia injections and cardiac-stimulating drugs to 'stabilize' the condition," Nidhi continued.
She paused for a second, then said clearly,
"That method doesn't treat the patient.
It slowly kills them."
The room went silent.
"If those drugs are misused even slightly," Nidhi added,
"the patient wouldn't survive for more than thirty minutes.
That wasn't treatment—it was negligence."
Dr. Sharma immediately turned toward Tina, his expression dark.
"Tina," he demanded sharply,
"why didn't you proceed with surgery?"
"Why did you choose such a dangerous and unethical method?"
"D-Dr. Sharma…" Tina stammered.
"At that time, Mr. Malhotra's condition was extremely critical.
We couldn't do anything else."
"You could have done everything!" Dr. Sharma snapped.
"And instead, you chose heavy anesthesia and cardiac stimulants?"
"Do you even realize that after using those drugs, not even the world's best doctor could have saved him?"
His voice trembled with anger.
"You are a doctor," he continued,
"but your actions would have taken a patient's life."
"How could you even think of doing something like that?"
Tina stood frozen, unable to respond.
Before she could say anything, Dr. Sharma spoke again, his tone final.
"You may leave."
"From today onward, there is no place for you in City Hospital."
"And not just here—there will be no place for you in this industry at all."
The shock on Tina's face was unmistakable.
"A person who values their career more than a patient's life,"
"does not deserve to be called a doctor."
Everyone knew the weight of those words.
Dr. Sharma was the President of the National Medical Association.
Once he spoke, Tina would be permanently blacklisted.
Her medical career was over.
Tina panicked.
She broke down crying and pleaded,
"Doctor, please forgive me… please give me one more chance."
She knew very well that Dr. Sharma was trying to protect her from Shubham's anger and the disasters that would follow.
But she didn't want to leave.
City Hospital paid her well.
Her colleagues respected her.
Her future here had been bright.
And now—
everything was collapsing because of Nidhi.
Dr. Sharma turned to security.
"Escort her out. Immediately."
As everyone focused on Tina's punishment, another pair of eyes remained fixed elsewhere.
Shubham was watching Nidhi.
Completely.
He was deeply intrigued by her mysterious presence…
and utterly impressed by her extraordinary medical skill.
More than anything—
He wanted to know who she really was.