chapter 3
I didn't respond to Vincent and took Emma's medical reports to find the hospital director, Arthur Finch.
Even Arthur, after seeing the test results and ultrasound report, said it was a minor surgery. The hospital handles thousands of such cases every year, so he told me not to worry.
Hearing him say that, I felt slightly relieved. As long as the surgeon isn't Vincent or Ethan, Emma will be fine.
But unexpectedly, as soon as I requested a different surgeon, Vincent insisted on performing the surgery himself, just like in my previous life.
My heart sank suddenly, but I pretended to know nothing and asked, "Don't you have an academic conference? It's fine to leave it to another doctor."
He nervously scratched his head. "You're right. But I'm her dad, and only if I perform the surgery myself can I feel at ease."
I continued, "Dr. Finch already said it's a minor surgery. Are you questioning his skills?"
His eyes flickered. "No, it's just that Emma is my precious daughter. I want to be there during the surgery so I can handle any emergencies promptly."
I knew he was indeed deeply concerned for his daughter at this moment. But thinking of Emma's cold body in the previous life, I didn't dare to agree easily.
So, I called Vincent's assistant surgeon, Aiden Thomas, the youngest hepatobiliary specialist in the department.
I said, "Aiden, Vincent is getting older, and standing through a surgery can be tiring. You watched Emma grow up, so I feel at ease leaving the surgery to you."
Vincent thought I was truly considering his hard work. After glancing at Emma's medical report again, he finally nodded. "Alright, Aiden will take the lead, and I'll monitor remotely."
I smiled and watched him get into the car for the hospital's academic exchange. "I've got things covered here at the hospital. Go to your meeting with peace of mind, and I'll message you once the surgery is over."
It wasn't until the car drove away that I finally felt relieved.
Our family members are all doctors. I am the director of obstetrics and gynecology. In my previous life, I trusted Vincent and only waited outside the operating room.
But in this life, I explained the situation to ArthurI must enter the operating room myself. I need to see with my own eyes what exactly is in Emma's belly that made them go to such extremes.
When I changed clothes, disinfected, and entered the operating room, my heart sankVincent was standing in front of the operating table.
I hurried over, but before I got close, I saw Vincent staring at Emma's freshly cut abdomen, his face pale.
And Aiden, who was supposed to be the lead surgeon, was nowhere to be seen.
Vincent saw me and quickly walked toward me. I instinctively turned to run, but he still blocked my way.
His eyes were bloodshot, staring at me intently. "Olivia, this surgery can't proceed. We're taking Emma out of the hospital now."
In my previous life, even until my death, I couldn't understand why Vincent, who always doted on Emma and turned gray overnight because of her illness, changed completely after seeing Emma's abdomen opened.
Vincent gripped my wrist so tightly it hurt, the ruthlessness in his eyes identical to when he decided to kill Emma in the previous life.
I forced myself to stop trembling and, before he could continue persuading me, shouted into the operating room intercom, "Help! Dr. Sterling is trying to murder his own daughter! Call the police!"
The operating rooms were side by side, and soon many medical staff who had just finished surgeries gathered around.
Vincent didnt expect me to suddenly call for help, nor did he expect me to play the recording of Arthur and him out loud.
I held Emma's still warm hand and knelt straight before him. "All the test results, all the doctors said Emma's condition was just a minor surgery. Why did you stop the operation? Why did you want her discharged?"
Vincent's face turned red with anger as he glared at me and growled through gritted teeth, "Shut up! You fool, stand up!"
He directly dropped the scalpel he was using to stitch up Emma, but doctors from the department were already approaching.
I know this doctor. Not long ago, his son passed away from late-stage liver cancer, so when he heard about the tumor on Emma's liver, he specifically came to remind me to operate early.
He said, "So many people want surgery but can't afford it. Emma's condition only needs a simple removal. Aren't you delaying her?"
Others chimed in, "Yeah, we've seen the medical records too. We just finished a similar removal surgeryit took half an hour, and there wasn't much blood loss."
"If you keep leaving Emma on the operating table like this, her life will be in danger!"
Out of respect for Vincent's position, everyone was gently persuading him, and some even offered to perform the surgery in his place.
Vincent said nothing, just firmly pressed on Emma's wound, glaring at me fiercely.
But with so many doctors watching, under everyone's gaze, he couldn't do anything.
At that moment, Ryan and Ethan walked over in surgical gowns.