The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 256

"Tell me the truth, what exactly is Ferris's stance on this?"

I looked at her warily, trying to stall. "I thought I said I'd talk to him tonight..."

"Stop hiding things from me," Lucille interrupted angrily. "I heard the nurses gossiping earlier. They said you all had a meeting this afternoon specifically about your uncle's surgery. Is it true?"

Gossip definitely had its perks. When it came to gathering intelligence, Lucille was unmatched.

"So it is true," Lucille continued when I stayed silent. "Did Ferris really refuse to do your uncle's surgery in front of everyone?"

Seeing I couldn't hide it, I tried to make excuses for Ferris. "He has his considerations. You know he's in a high position, so he has to be incredibly cautious with everything he does."

"Cautious?" Lucille repeated the word with clear disdain. "Last time your uncle was in the hospital, he didn't even show his face. Fine, he keeps his work and personal life separate, and we didn't want to bother him with minor things. But Selena, this is different. Your uncle's life is hanging by a thread! He's still a part of the Hayes family, isn't he? Asking him for a favor isn't too much, is it?"

Seeing Lucille so aggrieved, my chest tightened. But what could I say? I couldn't exactly tell her that everything Ferris had done before was just an act and that we were getting a divorce. That would only devastate her further.

"Mom," I took a deep breath, continuing my lie, "he has his reasons and difficulties."

"Forget it," Lucille said, sounding utterly defeated. "He always talks about us being a family, but when it really matters, his own interests come first. The truth is, he's never truly seen us as family. Look at Dr. Lennox. Ever since your uncle was admitted, he's been running around helping out. He's more reliable than our actual son-in-law."

He stormed out of the room in a blind rage. By the time Lucille and I registered what was happening, he had already disappeared down the hall.

We chased him all the way to the Department of Neurosurgery office. Before I even got close, I heard Silas bellowing, "I've seen plenty of quacks like you! You might not have the skills, but you've sure got the temper! You don't want to do my surgery? Fine! I wouldn't let you touch me anyway!"

I burst into the room in a panic, only to hear Ferris reply in an icy tone, "If you need medical attention, go downstairs and register. For surgery, wait in line. If you just want to act like a lunatic, the door is on your right. Good riddance."

His tone was frigid, utterly devoid of warmth or any trace of respect for an elder. Silas, usually a decisive and fiery man, was stunned into a two-second silence before he pointed a trembling finger at Ferris. "You quack! You arrogant..."

Before Silas could finish his sentence, his outstretched hand began to violently shake. In the next instant, he collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud, right before my eyes...