Chapter 101 Taking a Master
Sloane's POV
Jared's handsome face instantly darkened. He shot Jessie a cold glare, and the chill in his eyes made the warm smile on her face freeze immediately.
He ignored her, just turned to look at me deeply, then left with his assistant without looking back.
"Did I... did I say something wrong?" Jessie looked at me with confusion, pointing at Jared's retreating figure, then at herself, her face full of grievance and bewilderment.
I sighed inwardly, knowing that Jared was taking his anger out on her.
He wasn't really mad at Jessie. He was angry that when I was in danger last night, none of the people he thought should have been by my side were there.
When this man got controlling, he didn't even care about being reasonable.
I patted Jessie's shoulder and comforted her gently, "It's fine. He just woke up and is a bit grumpy. Don't take it personally."
Jessie nodded with half understanding, but the confusion on her face clearly hadn't completely disappeared.
Jared's car had barely left my sight when my phone rang.
Looking at the name flashing on the screen, I answered somewhat helplessly.
"Go back and sleep a bit more." His deep voice came through the receiver, with a commanding tone that left no room for argument. "Don't tire yourself out, and especially don't tire out the baby."
I leaned against the doorframe, listening to his bossy instructions, but my heart felt warm and soft.
I responded softly until I heard his assistant urging him to board the plane. Only then did he reluctantly hang up.
Back in that cramped lounge, I couldn't fall asleep anymore.
My mind kept replaying last night's terrifying scene, and Harrison's face covered with frost.
After hesitating for a moment, I still found his number in my contacts and called him.
The phone was answered quickly, and his usual cool, steady voice came through: "Dr. Sloane."
"Harrison, about last night, thank you." I got straight to the point, my tone sincere.
"It was nothing." His voice revealed no emotion.
I held my phone, my fingertips unconsciously tracing patterns on the phone case. Thinking about how Jared had said those awful, slanderous words in front of him last night, a wave of guilt washed over me.
He had saved me, yet had to endure my husband's suspicion and hostility for no reason.
"To show my gratitude, and also to... apologize for Jared's rudeness," I took a deep breath and said softly, "I have some medicinal herbs I've prepared myself that are very good for health. If you don't mind, I'd like to give you some."
This was the most sincere thank-you gift I could think of.
There was a moment of silence on the other end, then came his polite but distant refusal: "That's not necessary, Dr. Sloane. I don't lack anything."
"I know you don't lack anything," I insisted somewhat urgently, "but it's a token of my appreciation. Please accept it."
He seemed somewhat helpless at my persistence. After another few seconds of silence, he slowly spoke, his tone carrying a complex emotion I couldn't understand: "If Dr. Sloane really feels bad about it, then please help me prepare some medicine to help with sleep."
Sleep aid? I was slightly stunned.
Would a man in such a high position, someone who strategized and planned everything, also suffer from insomnia?
"Okay, I'll prepare it for you when I get back." I immediately agreed.
After hanging up, the weight on my heart finally lifted.
During breakfast, Jessie came running over with her tray and sat down in front of me, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Sloane! Guess who I just saw!" She lowered her voice, her tone full of excitement and admiration. "It's Professor Brandon, the honorary director of the International Neurosurgical Association! Oh my god, he's someone from the textbooks! I've only seen him on the covers of academic journals! He actually came to support the disaster area too!"
Her cheeks were flushed with excitement as she grabbed my arm and shook it. "I heard he came this time to find some promising young doctors in the country to collaborate with. Sloane, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You should go meet him!"
I was slightly stunned. This name was legendary.
Professor Brandon was a world-renowned neurosurgical expert. His contributions to nerve repair and regeneration were practically textbook material.
When I was in university, many of his papers were required reading classics.
"How could he be here?" I could hardly believe it.
"I heard he came to attend a domestic academic exchange, and when he learned about what happened here, he came to help with his team in a personal capacity." Jessie's tone was full of admiration. "Oh my god, he's a living legend! Sloane, don't you also have a lot of knowledge in neurosurgery? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Let's go meet the master!"
My interest in neurosurgery was indeed more than just research.
It was almost my first choice alongside cardiac surgery when I was choosing my specialty.
It was just that later, due to various circumstances, I specialized in cardiac surgery instead.
Now, being able to meet Professor Brandon here, that passion I'd suppressed for years was instantly ignited.
I followed Jessie through the busy crowd.
Professor Reagan was standing with a white-haired but spirited elderly man, talking quietly about something. The young doctors around them kept their distance, their eyes full of undisguised awe.
That elderly man must be Professor Brandon.
"Professor Reagan!" Jessie pulled me over, taking a few quick steps forward.
Professor Reagan turned at the sound and, seeing us, showed a warm smile on his face.
He was about to speak when Professor Brandon beside him turned his gaze to me first.
With just one look, the expression on his face froze.
Professor Reagan immediately straightened up, his face showing undisguised pride as he pulled me over and introduced me to Brandon: "Old friend, let me introduce you. This is Dr. Sloane I mentioned to you! That paper on nerve regeneration induction was written by her! So young, yet so talented!"
"Sloane..." Professor Brandon murmured my name softly, his cloudy eyes staring at me without blinking, and his eyes suddenly turned red.
His gaze was too focused and too sad, with an almost greedy scrutiny that made me inexplicably anxious.
"So similar... really too similar..." he muttered to himself, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible, yet like a needle, gently pricking my heart.
The air around us seemed to freeze.
Professor Reagan and Jessie also sensed something was wrong and exchanged glances, not daring to speak.
The doubt in my heart grew deeper and deeper. I couldn't help but step forward and ask softly, "Professor, you're saying... I look like someone?"
My voice seemed to pull him back from distant memories.