The slaps had not come from the Advanced Medical Institute examiner or any random bystander. Instead, they came from Thomas—Jared's own mentor.

"You little brat! As a medical practitioner, you don't even have the courage to face failure or take responsibility for your mistakes? Who accused you? Who wronged you? And now you want another chance? You won't let it go? Are you trying to drag Blumedale Hospital and my own reputation through the mud?"

No one had noticed when Thomas had moved to stand beside Jared, but there he was—face twisted in rage, veins bulging in his temples, his fury palpable.

For someone like Thomas, who valued his reputation above all else, this was an unforgivable disgrace. After all, his prized student's current behavior was pathetic. Moreover, various bigwigs were watching from the high platform.

If the student were garbage, then he, as the teacher, would inevitably be accused of poor teaching.

Jared stammered, his mind in a daze. "Dr. Bozzelli, I-I jus