Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 121

"Hindsight?"

The specialist glanced at Emma, noting the heavy, dark circles under her eyes; even though she was trying her best to look energetic, her utter exhaustion was impossible to hide.

"You can say that to anyone else, but saying it to Dr. Ann is just a slap in the face."

The specialist shook his head with a sigh, stepping up to Douglas. "It really isn't our place as outsiders to intervene, but we simply couldn't stand by and watch Dr. Ann be treated with such disrespect."

Douglas looked entirely confused. Dr. Ann?

"Who did you say she was?"

Percy stared at her in absolute shock.

Seeing that Emma made no move to stop him, the specialist continued, "Mr. Harrington, your granddaughter-in-law is a world-renowned medical prodigy. She was accepted into the world's top medical school at nineteen while still an economics student, and she became a fully qualified, all-around surgeon in just four years. She is a true genius."

Douglas had naturally heard the legends of this brilliant doctor. After all, she had made a name for herself a year ago as the youngest comprehensive surgeon in history, immediately following up with a groundbreaking operation that shocked the entire medical world.

But after that, she had vanished without a trace, and no one knew where she went or what she was doing.

To think that this legendary genius was actually a member of the Harrington family.

"Furthermore, while you were undergoing conservative treatment, it was Dr. Ann who provided the detailed daily regimens. We told her that we couldn't take credit for her work and insisted on giving you her name, but she refused. I initially thought she just wanted to avoid the hassle, but I never realized it was out of devotion to her family."

"You are a truly blessed man, Mr. Harrington."

Emma stood quietly in the courtyard. She hadn't wanted to expose her identity, because that operation years ago had caused such a massive sensation and sparked a global frenzy.

At the time, her mentor warned her that if she wanted to return home and live a peaceful life, she couldn't afford to maintain such a high profile.

So, she chose to fade into obscurity and conceal her true self, always holding on to her original motivation for studying medicine: to give back to her community.

"So I had you completely misunderstood."

Douglas instantly dropped his stern, displeased demeanor and walked over to Emma with a warm chuckle.

"Good child, you are such a good child. It's a true blessing that our family was able to welcome you into it."

He patted Emma's shoulder affectionately. "Stay for dinner tonight. Just tell the butler whatever you'd like to eat."

"Grandfather, I'd love to stay, but I really need to go home and check on... Carter." She narrowly caught herself before saying 'Mr. Harrington' out of habit.

She quickly recovered and continued, "He's hurt pretty badly. If I'm not careful with his care, he might not just end up with scars, but chronic issues as well. He refuses to tell me how he got hurt, and he won't go to the hospital, so I have to be the one to look after him."

Douglas knew all about Carter enduring the family's brutal discipline. He had originally been furious that the boy would turn against the family for a woman, but looking at it now, it had been entirely worth it.

Pamela pushed Raymond's wheelchair back to their room.

"I've been a little too lenient with Gillian lately, letting her cause a scene with Emma right in front of your father. That girl still acts like a child; I've spoiled her rotten."

Pamela spoke with self-reproach, but Raymond immediately caught her hand. "You and Gillian went through so much hardship in the past. If she wasn't a little fierce, how could she have taken such good care of you? Don't scold her. With me here to protect her, she can have as big of a temper as she wants, and no one will dare say a word."

Pamela smiled at that, shooting him a playful, affectionate look. "You're the one spoiling her now. But my heart broke a little seeing Gillian today. If she hadn't been switched at birth, would she be the one standing there so confident and poised today?"

She sighed softly. "I feel incredibly guilty. Gillian has suffered nothing but hardship with me. When she was little, she had to fight with the elderly just to collect recycling to support me, and she faced so much prejudice at school."

Raymond held her hand tenderly as Pamela's eyes welled with tears. "When Emma was being praised today, I was genuinely happy for her. After all, she is the wife of the Harrington family's eldest grandson. Since your dad likes her, Carter won't have to fight with the family over her anymore. But I just can't stop this guilt... If Gillian had received that same elite education, would she be..."

Raymond's eyes were filled with heartache for his wife, which only fueled his growing distaste for Emma.

"Don't blame yourself. Gillian must be fuming after what happened today. Doesn't her brother have a racing tournament coming up? I happen to own an estate near the track. Have Gillian go there for a little vacation to clear her head. How about I take you along as well?"

Pamela's eyes sparkled at the mention of the race. She nodded with a smile and immediately relayed the good news to Gillian.

At that same moment, Emma received an international call.

"Em, I'm coming back to the States in a couple of weeks. Don't forget to come cheer me on at my first race back. If you don't show up, you're going to break my heart."