Chapter 10
A few minutes later, over a dozen doctors and nurses in surgical scrubs rushed to the ER, followed closely by the hospital director, Humbert Garcia.
The medical staff clustered around one particular surgeon like an honor guard–a petite woman whose surgical mask obscured most of her face. The deference shown by the hospital director marked her as someone extraordinary.
She moved with quiet authority, her steps brisk and efficient as she led the team through the ER doors.
Gregory’s jaw clenched when the surgical lights flickered to life. He caught Humbert’s arm. “Who was that surgeon? Who’s operating on my grandfather?”
“That was Dr. Miracle herself,” Humbert said with visible relief.
“Dr. Miracle?” Shirly gasped. “How did you get her here so quickly?”
A knowing smile crossed Humbert’s face. “We didn’t. Mr. Chappell arranged it. Dr. Miracle happened to be consulting in Lavisburg this week.”
It struck him suddenly–the woman at the center of all those medical personnel had been Dr. Miracle. But the glimpse had been too brief to make out her features clearly.
His expression darkened. “Who authorized Dr. Miracle to operate on my grandfather? Since when does the hospital make decisions without consulting the family? And who will answer for the consequences if this goes wrong?”
Humbert wiped his brow. “Mrs. Hoffman gave consent. She assured us she would accept full responsibility.”
“Winifred?” Gregory’s frown deepened.
“That’s correct,” Humbert nodded vigorously. “You may verify with her yourself.”
Shirly interrupted, “Does it matter? Dr. Miracle is Joseph’s best chance. That’s what we should be focusing on.”
Gregory let out a derisive laugh. “She’ll take responsibility? What gives her the right to make these calls?”
He grabbed his phone and dialed Winifred’s number, but all he got was the automated message–her phone was off.
Gregory’s knuckles whitened as he gripped his phone, his expression darkening. “Winifred,” he growled, “how dare you turn your phone off on me?”
Mandy glanced at his stormy face and lowered her voice. “Should we send someone after her? Maybe she ran off with Truman.”
Gregory clenched the phone tighter, as if he could crush it in his hand. “Don’t bother,” he snapped. “If she’s with him, she’ll live to regret it.”
Mandy’s gaze flickered, feigning innocence. “How did Winifred even meet Truman? He seems completely smitten. Showing up for her birthday, giving her that expensive ruby crown…”
As she spoke, she caught the fury burning in Gregory’s eyes–like he wanted to wrap his hands around Winifred’s throat.
Shirly let out a derisive laugh. “She’s always chasing money. Plays the sweet, naive girl, but there’s always an angle.”
Hearing this, Gregory thought about when his grandfather had fainted. Winifred hadn’t shown any concern. Instead, she had hugged Truman right in front of everyone. The thought of her betrayal still angered him.
The surgery dragged on for over four hours. When it finally ended, Winifred glanced at Joseph on the operating table and exhaled in quiet relief. She never forgot those who stood by her–and today, she had repaid that loyalty.
With a few doctors and nurses trailing behind her, Winifred stepped out of the ER.
Shirly tried to intercept Dr. Miracle as she emerged, eager for news about Joseph, but Dr. Miracle brushed past without a word. Within moments, she was already halfway down the hall.
Gregory returned from taking a phone call. Is Grandpa’s surgery over?” he asked.
Shirly nodded. “Yeah”
“Where’s Dr. Miracle?” Gregory pressed.
“Long gone. Typical of her–didn’t even acknowledge us,” Shirly muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Gregory turned to look but only caught a fleeting glimpse of someone graceful disappearing around the corner. He frowned. For a second, he could’ve sworn it was Winifred.
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Chapter 10
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Rubbing his temples, he told himself it was just the stress messing with his head. ‘Winifred only cared about luxury and being seen–no way she’d ever get involved in something as demanding as surgery,‘ he thought.
