Ophelia Gets Thrown Out (Ophelia) novel Chapter 4

**Paths Lead To Purpose — Kevin Masters**

**Chapter 4: Credit**

Zachary’s head bobbed slightly as he mustered a faint smile, the kind that barely reached his eyes. “Ophelia, you really have some remarkable skills.” He felt a flicker of gratitude, a strange warmth spreading through him.

Just hours before, he had been convinced that he was on the brink of death; the thought of saying goodbye had felt impossibly heavy. He had lacked the strength to utter even a final farewell.

To his astonishment, in less than ten minutes, Ophelia’s treatment worked wonders, lifting the oppressive weight from his chest.

Ophelia gave a slight nod, her calm demeanor soothing the tumultuous thoughts swirling in his mind. “You’re being too kind. Your condition has improved significantly. The likelihood of a successful surgery has increased considerably.”

She continued, her voice steady and reassuring, “Had you entered the operating room in your previous state, I would have estimated your chances of survival at a mere twenty percent.”

As she spoke, she meticulously cleaned the needles, her movements precise and deliberate as she packed them away, a ritual of care and professionalism.

Aaron, standing nearby, wore an expression of skepticism that darkened the atmosphere. “How can you be so certain it’s only twenty percent? Are you even a qualified doctor? I could report you for practicing medicine without a license, you know that?” His voice dripped with accusation, a thinly veiled threat.

Ophelia raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. She tucked the needle kit away, pulled out her phone, and displayed a gleaming medical license with a flourish. “Dr. Vossen, this is the license you’ve longed for all your life.

“Do you recognize it? I obtained mine three years ago. Go ahead and report me—but I doubt you’ll find the opportunity to do so.”

Aaron’s expression froze in disbelief. “N-No way. That has to be a forgery.”

Connor, who had been silently observing, couldn’t hold back a derisive snicker. “So, you can’t compete with her skills, and you resort to slandering her instead? Whether she has a doctorate or not, your character remains a disgrace.”

Aaron’s words caught in his throat. He wanted to retort, to defend himself, but the weight of Connor’s words left him speechless.

The other doctors, sensing the rising tension, quickly intervened. “Dr. Vossen, let’s focus on Mr. Caldwell’s condition for the time being.”

Despite the fury etched across Aaron’s face, he needed to verify Zachary’s status; if anything went awry, Ophelia wouldn’t escape the repercussions unscathed.

With Zachary’s condition evidently improved and time slipping away, Ophelia turned to Connor, her tone practical. “I’ve done what I can to stabilize him. The rest is in the hands of the hospital now. I have someone waiting for me, so I’ll take my leave.”

She began to walk towards the door, eager not to keep Samuel waiting any longer.

Suddenly, she caught sight of a tall, imposing figure standing in the doorway.

The moment their eyes met, his piercing gaze locked onto her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. “Ophelia? Please, stay.”

His voice commanded attention, and everyone turned to look, the air thick with anticipation.

Aaron’s eyes lit up with recognition as he hurried toward the newcomer, his eagerness palpable. “Mr. Caldwell, you’re here!”

He rushed to explain Zachary’s condition, practically bursting with the desire to claim credit. “Mr. Caldwell’s condition has stabilized for now. We’ll wait for the remaining test results and meticulously plan the surgery. Don’t worry. I’ll be the one performing it myself—”

But Alaric didn’t even spare him a glance. His attention was solely fixed on Ophelia. “I’ve been wanting to meet Connor’s attending doctor. I didn’t expect our paths to cross today.

“This must be fate. What would it take for Ophelia to handle my grandfather’s surgery? Name your price.”

The other doctors trailing behind looked horrified, but they could only rush to help him up, their expressions a mix of pity and disbelief.

Behind them, Alaric’s assistant closed the door, effectively clearing the room of any lingering tension.

Aaron had strutted around the Vossen estate for over a decade, but now he found himself publicly humiliated.

The sight brought a sense of satisfaction to Ophelia, lifting her spirits considerably. For the first time, she found herself viewing Alaric in a more favorable light. “Alright,” she said, a faint smirk creeping onto her lips. “I can take on the surgery. But my fees aren’t inexpensive.”

Alaric didn’t hesitate. “One surgery—three million dollars. If you can restore my grandfather to Connor’s condition, there’s an additional five million as a completion bonus.”

Zachary’s eyes widened in disbelief. He hadn’t anticipated Alaric’s generosity in his time of need.

But he was in no position to argue; without Ophelia’s intervention, he would have already slipped away from life.

Connor chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s Alaric for you—always bold when it comes to money. But truly, Ophelia’s expertise is worth every single penny.”

Recognizing that they were all on familiar terms and that Alaric’s offer was more than fair, Ophelia nodded thoughtfully. “Alright. Since we’re acquaintances, I’ll extend a small discount. Zachary’s case is considerably more complex than Connor’s, after all.”

Connor was taken aback, not expecting her to offer a discount. He quickly interjected, “Wait, Zachary’s case is tougher than mine? Well, I suppose that makes sense. He once took a serious hit just to save me—”

He couldn’t just stand by and watch his old friend slip away.

Alaric simply smiled, a glimmer of confidence in his eyes. “No need for a discount. Ophelia, as long as you can get my grandfather back on his feet, fifteen million is no problem at all.”