REBORN TO RULE

You'll Lose

"How could he possibly know Aaron?" Rufus muttered under his breath, speaking to no one in particular. He hadn't been fooled when Aaron brought up Luke's perfect score.

Rufus trembled with rage but quickly regained his composure, restoring the commanding aura he usually exuded.

Still, a nagging worry gnawed at the back of his mind. Aaron had seemed genuinely friendly toward Luke—interested, even—asking him several questions with sincere curiosity.

There was a crack in the wall. Luke had drawn attention to himself earlier. Rufus sensed it—pride. And pride could be weaponized.

Rufus whispered to the person beside him, "Remind them to press him on the budget issue unless they want their funding reallocated. "

He referred to Luke's earlier remark about resident salaries—bold, almost taboo. Everyone knew the pay was pitiful, but no one dared acknowledge it. Luke had. And that could be used against him.

"I'm leaving," Rufus said abruptly, rising from his seat and glancing around the long table. The message was clear: they knew what to do in his absence.

In truth, he had no real reason to be there. Neither did Aaron—but no one would ever question Aaron's presence. Aaron might ask him, but never the other way around.

"Alright, let's continue," said one of the professors. The gray-haired man adjusted his glasses and flipped to the next page in Luke's file.

Aaron smoothly slid into the seat Rufus had vacated.

"Mr. Anderson," the professor began, peering over his glasses, "let's return to your earlier comment about resident pay. Don't you think it came across as... selfish? After all, residents aren't full doctors yet. They're not fully qualified. That salary should suffice."

Aaron, unaware of the prior undercurrent, glanced at Luke with a frown. Like Rufus, he didn't seem to appreciate radical ideas. While he might not manage the budget directly, he certainly played a role in approving it.

Luke knew the comment was risky—he regretted saying it now—but it had been a calculated jab meant for Rufus.

"I didn't mean to sound selfish," Luke replied calmly. "Not all residents are considered doctors yet—some haven't even passed the USMLE. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to live decently. The current wage doesn't even allow for proper nutrition or health. That affects our performance, too. I'm simply asking for conditions that allow residents to live healthier and serve better."

He did his best to frame it as a selfless concern.

A moment of silence followed. The professor flipped through the documents again, glancing at Aaron, unsure how to respond. He seemed hesitant—unsure how Aaron might react.

"Do you have a better proposal in mind? Are you asking the government to raise salaries?" Aaron's tone had lost its warmth.

Damn it. Luke cursed inwardly. That was a loaded question. None of this had happened in his previous life.

He needed to think fast.

"I'm not necessarily calling for a direct salary increase," he said. "There are other ways."

"Explain," Aaron said, resting his chin on his hand, expecting a thorough answer.

"First, we could add support facilities—subsidized dorms or free housing near the hospital. Then mental health services, including counseling, since the workload often leads to burnout."

The professor perked up but listened intently.

"If possible, we could include educational support for Step 3—book allowances, journal access, training, and exam fees. These costs add up. Those are just a few examples."

Luke spoke fluently, drawing directly from personal experience.

"Interesting," Aaron said, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile. He nodded and let the panel resume.

The discussion shifted naturally back to health-related scenarios. Aaron didn't interfere, only listened.

"If you were assigned to handle a flu outbreak in a densely populated district, what would be your first strategic move?"

Luke answered with ease. He outlined segmentation plans, vaccine logistics, culturally tailored communication strategies, and collaborations with local leaders.

His answers were detailed and practical. Some panelists began nodding, scribbling notes.

Aaron exchanged subtle glances with the professors, his faint smile suggesting he was impressed.

"I have one last question," Aaron said, raising a hand.

Luke braced himself. He suspected it wouldn't be easy.

"If you had to choose between a political decision that benefits the health program or a scientific one that officials dislike, which would you choose?"

A classic trap—an ethical dilemma that often stalls real-world progress.

"I would prioritize transparency," Luke said. "Technical decisions should be explained in a way that politicians can understand. We'll find the most reasonable, publicly acceptable solution if scientists and officials are aligned in trust. It's not about who wins but who understands what's best for public health. Our goals should align: the well-being of all."

It was a diplomatic answer—he didn't pick sides.

Aaron laughed.

"That... is the best answer I've heard in the past ten years."

The tension in his body eased as he leaned back, satisfied. "Luke, you've said more than enough for today."

"I think… the score is too high. We need… balance," one panelist whispered, glancing discreetly at Rufus, who had returned.

He was allowed back for final scoring but remained silent with Aaron still present.

The panelists looked uneasy. Following Rufus's lead meant scoring Luke low—but Aaron's reaction would be unpredictable. Luke's answers had clearly been exceptional.

"Is this going to take much longer?" Aaron asked casually, and all heads turned toward him. He gave Rufus a light pat on the shoulder.

"Thanks for your time today. I'm touched by how much you care about nurturing promising young doctors."

Rufus forced a stiff smile, uncertain whether it was a compliment or a veiled jab.

"You know I didn't come just to observe," Aaron added, smiling.

Rufus stiffened. "W—What do you mean, Sir?"

Aaron locked eyes with him, still smiling.

"Luke Anderson might be a nobody now. But I trust Bennett's judgment. Our system needs someone like him."

He didn't wait for a response. Calmly, he left the room, leaving a silence sharp enough to cut.

Rufus clenched his fists, too furious to speak. He waited until the door clicked shut—then slammed the table with his palm.

He had no choice now. He couldn't eliminate Luke.

He'd have to send Emma.

Let her seduce him again. Maybe Luke would soften... once she had him in bed.