The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 351

However, even though Zeus hadn't changed the surgical plan, the unexpected struck regardless. Just as the guidewire was about to reach the tear in the dissection, the patient's blood pressure plummeted.

"BP is seventy over forty! Heart rate one-forty!" the anesthesiologist shouted, urgency lacing his voice.

"The dissection ruptured!" the first assistant cried out in panic. "Massive hemopericardium!"

Zeus's pupils constricted sharply. How could cardiac tamponade happen so suddenly?

"Prepare for pericardiocentesis! Stat!" he barked, though his hands remained unnervingly steady.

The needle swiftly pierced the pericardial cavity. Dark red blood was drawn out, and the patient's blood pressure finally began a slow climb.

It was a close call. A few seconds later, and the patient would have likely...

After the surgery, Zeus stood before the scrub sink, staring at his pale fingers, motionless for a long time. The patient had hemorrhaged heavily even with a minimally invasive interventional procedure. If he had insisted on cracking the chest open... The patient would likely have died on the table. A layer of cold sweat seeped through the back of his scrubs, and his throat felt tight.

Helen walked over and handed him a cup of warm water, her tone softening slightly. "Dr. Sloan, you're clearly not yourself today. You should go home and rest."

Zeus took the cup, his fingertips ice-cold. "...Thanks."

The Director's accusations fired off like a machine gun.

Seeing the Director's intense reaction, Zeus realized that perhaps he really had been impulsive this time. His Adam's apple bobbed as he tried to explain in a low voice. "Director, I..."

"Save it!" The Director raised a hand to cut him off, his gaze sharp. "Medical Affairs has already received the report. This will be handled strictly! If every doctor changed protocols on a whim like you did, treating patients' lives like grass to be trampled on, this hospital would collapse. We absolutely will not tolerate this!"

Zeus's fingertips trembled slightly. He lowered his head in silence, offering no further defense. "Director, I know I was wrong. I don't know what got into me. I'm willing to accept any punishment."

The Director stared at him for a few seconds. Seeing that his attitude was contrite, his anger dissipated slightly, replaced by a look of heavy disappointment.