I Can Lend a Hand

Before responding, Shania meticulously scrutinized Logan from head to toe, as if searching for something within the young man standing before her.

Logan, sensing Shania's thorough examination, refrained from repeating his question. Instead, he cleared his throat several times, a silent prompt for her response.

Shania shook her head several times, as if to dispel whatever thoughts were lingering, before beginning to respond with a question of her own. "Excuse me, are you The Masked Doctor who saved my life?" she inquired.

As Logan's suspicion proved correct, his heart quickened its pace within his chest. Without hesitation, he swiftly embraced the charade, playing his part with practiced ease.

"Miss Moore, I'm afraid you've mistaken me for someone else. I have no affiliation with this 'Masked Doctor' you speak of. As you can plainly see, I'm nothing more than a humble janitor employed by this hospital," Logan responded with a nonchalant shrug, affecting an air of casual indifference.

Shania shook her head once more, dissatisfied with Logan's response. Casting her gaze upon Logan's muscular frame, faintly outlined beneath his work attire, Shania murmured in awe, "Yet, you possess the same physique as my savior. Muscular, robust, and... handsome."

Logan offered a stiff smile before responding, "Merely resembling someone doesn't imply we're one and the same."

"Well, that's..." Shania concluded with a bitter smile, bravely accepting the reality that she had lost track of her hero. "By the way, why did you encounter trouble with those policemen?"

"It's something personal. I reckon it's best kept to myself," Logan politely declined.

"If you're willing to share," Shania promptly responded, "I could lend a hand."

A genuine janitor wouldn't pass up such a golden opportunity. Thus, if Logan wished to maintain his charade, he had no choice but to confide in Shania about his predicament.

"Oh, I understand..." Shania murmured softly after hearing Logan's brief explanation. "It's clear you shouldn't continue working at this hospital. Your wife and her paramour will never afford you peace. I strongly recommend you resign."

"I wish I could," Logan sighed deeply, his expression laden with sorrow. "But if I depart from this position, I fear I won't be able to contend with other job seekers in securing a new employment."

Shania offered a thin smile before responding, "Considering I've advised you to resign, it's only fitting that I present you with a far superior employment opportunity than your current one."

In truth, that wasn't Shania's primary motivation. She was aiding Logan because she still harbored the belief that he was The Masked Doctor, the hero who had saved her life.

'The Masked Doctor wears a distinctive mask to conceal his identity, implying that even if I were to assemble all the janitors in the world, none would admit to being The Masked Doctor,' Shania reasoned silently.

To Shania, Logan bore the closest resemblance to The Masked Doctor. She harbored a strong suspicion that this young man was concealing his identity as The Masked Doctor beneath his janitorial attire.

No, it wasn't entirely implausible.

Shania held the belief that by having Logan work under her, she might eventually uncover the true identity of The Masked Doctor.

Shania retrieved a card from her pocket and extended it towards Logan.

"Here's my business card with my phone number," she said, offering it to Logan. "I expect a text from you as soon as you've made your decision."

With that, Shania walked away, leaving Logan alone.

With that, Shania turned and walked away, leaving Logan standing alone in the corridor.

With a determined stride, Logan made his way to the hospital's HR office, his steps purposeful and resolute. Upon arrival, he wasted no time in handing over his meticulously crafted resignation letter, a document bearing the weight of his decision to depart from his current employment.

The HR briefly glanced at the resignation letter before sharply turning his gaze towards Logan, his expression tinged with annoyance.

"Let me get this straight," the HR adjusted his glasses, his tone incredulous. "Your wife's infidelity has led you to resign because you don't wish to work in the same environment as her?"

"Yes, that's correct," Logan affirmed.

"In this vast and competitive world, are you truly confident that someone as supposedly incompetent as yourself will readily secure employment?"

Logan shrughed. "Perhaps."

"Just reconsider your decision," the HR head interjected sharply. "I'll afford you one opportunity to retract this resignation letter."

Despite his irritation with Logan, the HR recognized the invaluable contributions Logan made to the hospital. Logan was an exceptionally diligent and industrious employee. Not only did he execute his duties flawlessly, but he also willingly assumed additional responsibilities beyond his role.

Employees of Logan's caliber were worth their weight in gold, prompting any company to consider doubling their pay to retain them.

"My decision is final and cannot be reconsidered, Mr. Nicholson," Logan declared stoically.

The HR, enveloped in a heavy sigh, leaned back in his chair, the creak of its aged leather echoing softly in the room. His gaze lingered on Logan, but now with a perceptible shift in perspective, as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a previously unseen layer of understanding and insight into the young man's character.

For some inexplicable reason, the typically compliant and naive young man displayed newfound resolve and stubbornness. Mr. Nicholson couldn't shake the thought of what might have prompted Logan's transformation. Was it conceivable that he had secured a position with a higher salary at another hospital?

"I'll double your salary on the next contract if you withdraw your resignation," the HR made his boldest move yet. "This is the final offer; don't anticipate favorable negotiations if you attempt to bargain with me."

Upon being presented with the veiled threat, Logan found himself unable to contain a mirthful chuckle. It was a laugh tinged with irony, a reaction to the blatant hypocrisy displayed by Mr. Nicholson. Despite the facade of indifference he maintained, Logan saw through it all, recognizing the undeniable truth: his services were indispensable, a fact that Mr. Nicholson conveniently chose to overlook.

At that moment, Logan came to the stark realization that he was being manipulated not only by his colleagues but also by the hospital itself.

In the interim, the human resources manager, her gaze sharp and discerning, fixed upon Logan, the lines of her face etched with a subtle tension. With each passing moment, the hue of Logan's complexion transitioned from its usual pallor to a deepening shade of crimson, a physical manifestation of the humiliation subtly wrought by the incisive words of the young man.

"Is something funny, huh?"