From Nobody to Everyone's Obsession (Seraphina Vale) novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68 No One Wants the Risk

Chapter 68 No One Wants the Risk

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Emma’s mother was so overwhelmed she nearly collapsed into the chair. Despair drained from her face. replaced by a fragile spark of hope.

The expert consultation room was convened to determine the final treatment plan.

Seraphina studied the medical chart, spinning a pen between her fingers. Her voice was calm, almost casual. “Surgery needs to happen as soon as possible. The longer this drags on, the higher the risk.”

“Open-heart surgery? And when it goes wrong, who’s taking responsibility?” Charles Merrick frowned, arms crossed, his gaze sharp as it landed on the girl in front of him. As the head of cardiothoracic surgery at Ethos Medical Center, he’d seen too many reckless proposals to have patience for one more, especially from someone this young.

His gaze landed on the young woman in front of him, openly dismissive.

An assistant quickly tugged at his sleeve and lowered his voice. “She was brought here by Alaric from Draycroft Hospital.”

“That’s nonsense,” Charles scoffed. “He must be losing his mind if he’s trusting a kid like this.”

Murmurs rippled through the room.

Several doctors exchanged looks, disbelief written all over their faces. Some even wondered if Alaric had finally lost his judgment.

If the surgery failed, the consequences would fall on Ethos Medical Center. No one wanted that.

Alaric snapped back immediately. “Charles, who are you calling senile? I don’t care what you think, I’m your senior. Is that how you speak to people?”

In any academic field, especially among experts who had spent decades building reputations, clashes like this were nothing new. No one liked being challenged.

Charles let out a cold laugh. “Nice words don’t cure patients. Unlike some people, I don’t cover for lack of skill by dragging outsiders in.”

“You-”

“If you want to show off,” Charles cut in, “do it at your own hospital. Don’t come throwing your weight around at ours.”

He turned toward the side. “Franklin, are you hearing the way your doctors are being spoken to?”

Franklin Bishop, the director of Ethos Medical Center, stood nearby in silence.

His relationship with Alaric was cordial at best, complicated by overlapping interests. His silence was, in itself, an answer.

Some things he could not say openly. That did not mean his doctors could not say them.

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Chapter 68 No One Wants the Risk

Especially during a case review.

Seeing his name dragged in. Franklin finally stepped forward, playing mediator.

He glanced at Charles. “Charles, watch your tone. That was out of line.”

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Then he smiled and walked over, resting a hand lightly on Alaric’s shoulder. “Alaric, this case is complicated. Our hospital’s resources are limited. Why not transfer the patient to Draycroft Hospital? You can handle it however you see fit.

“As for Julian,” he added smoothly, “the hospital won’t hold it against you.”

His position was unmistakable.

The doctors around the table exchanged glances. Most silently agreed.

This was not a case they wanted attached to their names.

If the child died on the operating table, who would answer for it? Charles, in particular, had another motive.

Days earlier, he had heard rumors about this young woman’s so-called legendary performance at Draycroft Hospital.

He did not fully believe them. More than doubt, there was fear.

If she succeeded again, his authority as head of cardiothoracic surgery would be undermined.

Charles spoke again. “Contact admissions. Start the transfer process immediately.”

A subordinate turned and hurried out.

Seraphina lifted her gaze, eyes cool as they swept across the room. Every unspoken calculation was laid

bare to her.

Her voice dropped, sharp and cold. “The patient isn’t stable enough to be transferred.”

The child had already lost the ability to breathe independently. Life signs were being artificially maintained with heavy medication.

On paper, that could pass as stable.

Once the drugs wore off, there would be nothing left. A transfer meant certain death.

Technically not ideal,” Charles replied lazily. “But why not try? What if the transfer works?”

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