Chapter 4 A Successful Surgery

• "But… just to be clear, you recommended her. So, if anything goes wrong, you'll be taking the heat."
• Jude and I exchanged a look, and I nodded to show him that I was confident in my skills.
• "Don't worry, Mr. Winter. I trust Robyn. If something goes south, I'll take full responsibility," Jude said.
• Ian was waiting for that response. As long as someone was willing to shoulder the risk, the success or failure of the surgery did not matter to him. I couldn't help but despise Ian's character. From this point on, the image of him in my mind had completely crumbled. I even found trash more dignified than him.
• "Alright, you guys keep going. I'll be in the director's office, waiting for some good news." Despite the life-and-death situation, he just casually threw out those words and walked out of the operating room. After Ian left, the other experts in the room changed their tune.
• "Now that Dr. Fulton is willing to take the risk, and the plan was made by this young lady, we old folks won't meddle," one of them chimed in.
• "Yeah, the hospital needs fresh blood like you, and the new techniques you bring. We're just a bunch of old-timers, so it's better for us not to interfere." They all spoke grandly, probably just trying to avoid taking responsibility.
• Jude and I shared a knowing glance, exchanging a bittersweet smile. Then, we ignored these old coots and proceeded with the plan I had devised and started the surgery. Jude was the lead surgeon, and I assisted to make sure he didn't make any mistakes. After all, even the tiniest slip-up could cost the child's life on that cold operating table during such a delicate procedure.
• As time passed, my worries proved to be unfounded. Jude remained steady throughout the entire procedure, surpassing my expectations—he really was a top-notch talent.
• Four hours later, the child's heart finally started beating unaided. The surgery was a success, and we both breathed a sigh of relief. Alas, the other experts in the room had faces as dark as the dark sky, and their eyes were filled with nothing but enmity.
• After we left the operating room, the family members swarmed around us, completely disregarding Jude, who was already perspiring from exhaustion.
• "Don't worry. The surgery was a success. Thanks to Dr. Landon," Jude said, refusing to take all the credit. The family members finally let go of their anxieties upon hearing that the surgery went well.
• I shook my head, signaling to Jude that he didn't need to introduce us to the families. I didn't want any suspicion of snatching any credit; I was just trying to help him. If the surgery had failed, it wouldn't just be a blow to him, but it could also jeopardize his medical career.
• These family members were no pushovers, and I didn't expect them to thank me. Nonetheless, the hospital leadership highly valued the success of this surgery. Mr. Ziegler personally received us and invited Jude and me to his office.
• Ian was leisurely sipping his tea in his office.
• "So, you're Robyn?" Mr. Ziegler asked.
• "Yeah, I am." I nodded in response.
• "Oh, truly a young talent. The hospital received your resume, and all the department heads are competing to hire you," Mr. Ziegler chirped. He was grinning from ear to ear, showing his excitement. He didn't even care that it might have been rather inappropriate.
• "You're overestimating, Mr. Ziegler. I'm just a newcomer. I don't have the qualifications to be recognized by the hospital leadership," I replied. I did enjoy the praise, but I still stuck to formalities.
• "Don't be so modest. I've seen enough people like you." Ian, who was sipping his tea, seemed to dislike all the pleasantries between people. Well, I couldn't blame him; someone like him, who was accustomed to living the good life, probably wouldn't understand social niceties. I had to admit, this guy's sharp tongue was no joke.
• I stood there, itching to give him a good slap for his caustic remarks. The sudden silence was getting awkward, and Mr. Ziegler quickly poured me a cup of tea to ease the tension.
• Mr. Ziegler said in a hushed tone, "Well, Mr. Winter actually meant that he admires you. Don't take it to heart."
• Admires me? Did he really, though? Also, it was also impossible that I would take his words to heart; I don't even care about him. I was just annoyed. I was trying to be considerate to poor Mr. Ziegler here, and after four hours without water, I felt a bit thirsty, so I instinctively took off my mask and had a sip.
• As I was drinking, I glanced at Ian from the corner of my eye, and it seemed like he was looking in my direction too. Then, he nonchalantly stood up, walking toward me while sipping his tea and smacking his lips.
• "Have we met somewhere before?" he blurted.
• Oh, no! Could it be that he recognized me? My heart was pounding, and my brain was racing to find a solution. To diffuse the awkward situation, I decided to meet his gaze head-on, not letting him see any trace of nervousness. Our eyes locked again, but this time, I noticed a playful glint in his eyes.
• "I have a pretty average face, so people tend to think that I look familiar wherever I go."
• Clearly, my explanation didn't convince him, and he shook his head. "No, it's not that. I had this indescribable feeling of familiarity the moment I laid my eyes on you."
• He paced around me, seemingly oblivious to Mr. Ziegler and Jude's presence. In fact, he couldn't recall what made me familiar even after scrutinizing it for a while. Well, he never really paid attention to me three years ago, and I was pretty sure he erased any memory of me long ago. Besides, I had changed quite a bit in both appearance and personality, so it was unlikely he'd remember me instantly.
• Then, he stared at me for a few more seconds as he sipped his tea and said, "Hmm, you've got a nice figure."
• Nice figure? What did that even mean? Could he possibly have some ulterior motives toward me? Nonetheless, he never used to stare at me like that when I was married to him.
• Jude noticed Ian's strange gaze and quickly intervened, "Mr. Winter, the success of the surgery owes a lot to Robyn's surgical plan."
• "Absolutely, she's an exceptional talent, bringing such a remarkable gift to the hospital right after she decided to join us," Mr. Ziegler chimed in, agreeing with Jude.
• Ian chuckled sarcastically, "Yeah, such an exceptional talent. I wonder where she'd fit best in the organization."
• His words had an eerie tone, sending chills down my spine. Jude and Mr. Ziegler exchanged puzzled looks.
• "Mr. Winter, what do you suggest?" Mr. Ziegler asked politely.
• Ian glanced at me once again, pondered for a few seconds, and then said, "Last month, my secretary got pregnant and resigned, leaving a vacant secretary position."
• I almost lost my cool upon hearing that. Even if I had to set everything else aside, including our less-than-happy marriage, did he really think I went abroad for three years just to become his secretary? Mr. Ziegler and Jude looked just as incredulous.
• "No way, Mr. Winter. I can't handle the secretary job, so you'll have to find someone else for that position," I firmly refused. There was no way I'd ever dream of becoming his secretary. If anything, that was something straight out of my nightmares!
• "Oh? Not willing to follow the company's arrangement?" Ian resumed his high and mighty attitude, wielding his power over me.
• "I specialize in surgery, so I should be in a role that aligns with my expertise and makes the best use of my skills." I didn't indulge him during our divorce, and I certainly wouldn't start now.
• "Oh? Making the best use of your skills, huh? What if I disagree?" He lit a cigarette and began taking a deep drag.
• "And what if you do? Besides, I haven't officially started working here, so I'll just find another opportunity elsewhere." I maintained a strong and unwavering tone.
• Ian had never been challenged like this before, and his temper flared up immediately. He flicked his cigarette, sending it flying several feet away as he said angrily, "I finally figured out why you seem so familiar. You're just like that utterly repulsive woman."
• That woman? He was talking about me, wasn't he? While other women would bow down to his every command, I was the one who dared to stand up to him.
• "Well, I won't be a bother here any longer since you find me repulsive."