Chapter 21
Did Chris think she wanted to take on this surgery? She didn't want anything more to do with the Coopers either!
Joanna refused without much expression. "Dr. Lawson has already made the arrangements. I've worked on David's surgical plan before, so it makes the most sense for me to take over as lead surgeon."
"Miss Jones, we don't know what methods you used to get into Grace General Hospital, but we're well aware of your capabilities. You can't handle David's surgery. Just listen to Chris." Cynthia's voice was gentle, but her eyes showed contempt.
When patients don't trust their doctors, it's a serious problem.
So the nurse who came with Joanna frowned, turned around, and went to find Dr. Lawson.
"Cynthia, the department head assigned me because he has confidence in my abilities. Are you saying all the achievements you've made at your company so far are fake?" Joanna calmly met Cynthia's gaze.
Cynthia's eyes reddened with grievance. "I'm not questioning your abilities. It's just that even Dr. Gordon from St. Mary's Hospital failed David's surgery. I'm just worried about David..."
Originally, Chris was unhappy about Joanna's sarcasm toward Cynthia, but when Cynthia mentioned Dr. Gordon, he remembered the surgical plan that Dr. Gordon had praised so highly.
Chris said with a complicated expression, "Joanna, you only have theoretical knowledge. You can't even imagine how difficult surgery actually is. Dr. Gordon is already a very skilled orthopedic surgeon. Except for Dr. J, no one can fault his surgical approach. Don't be stubborn—go call Dr. Lawson."
"But the fact that you're here means the previous surgery wasn't successful, doesn't it?" Joanna's face took on a more serious expression.
As a doctor, she knew David's physical condition very well. A failed surgery would trigger a second outbreak of foreign body lesion risk, and without bold measures, it would be very difficult to restore him to his original condition.
Normally, to avoid any interaction with Chris, she would definitely refuse David's surgery.
But now, having joined Grace General Hospital, with David as a hospital patient, Joanna had no way to refuse.
If she took on this surgery, she would do everything in her power to minimize the risk of lesions.
"So what? Dr. Gordon couldn't pull it off—you think you can?" Chris was losing it. "Get over yourself. Joanna, even Cynthia has won top design awards for years, and she doesn't go around acting like she's hot shit. Can't you tone it down a notch!"
Earlier, Chris had thought that since Dr. Gordon praised Joanna's talent, maybe he really had been biased against her, so he had softened his attitude toward her. But now Joanna was pushing her luck! Chris didn't want to waste any more words on her.
Cynthia said with a smile, "Joanna, you've never done surgery before, and suddenly you're assigned such an important patient. Could it be that other doctors are giving you a hard time? I know you're probably anxious to prove yourself, but if David's second surgery fails, he'll be paralyzed in bed for the rest of his life. You can understand Chris's position, right?"
Joanna frowned and started to speak, "I..."
Before she could finish, Chris interrupted her. "Enough, stop showing off! My grandfather isn't a tool for you to make a name for yourself at the hospital. Call Dr. Lawson over here. I must have a doctor with sufficient surgical experience!"
Chris thought Cynthia had a point—Joanna must be facing difficulties from others since she just started, which was why they were making her do this surgery. Otherwise, even if she had talent, how could they let someone who had never performed surgery operate on his grandfather?
When Dr. Lawson arrived, he heard this last statement.
He earnestly explained on Joanna's behalf, "Mr. Cooper, I think you've misunderstood. Dr. Jones does have this capability. Before we hired her, we thoroughly reviewed her past experience. She's absolutely on par with our other doctors."
Although Dr. Lawson said this, Chris didn't trust Joanna. Especially since she was now insisting on divorcing him, and his grandfather had never liked Joanna and had even made things difficult for her before—who knew what tricks Joanna might pull during the surgery!
"Dr. Lawson, we only trust you!"
Seeing Chris still wasn't having it after all that, Joanna was done fighting. She threw in the towel. "Dr. Lawson, since the family doesn't want me, let's just pass this surgery to someone else."
Dr. Lawson sighed and said frankly, "Since you insist on changing doctors, I can only be honest with you. If Dr. Jones performs the surgery, she can attempt a riskier surgical approach to eliminate the lesions completely. But if it's any of the rest of us, we can only use conservative treatment to reduce the risk. Are you still sure you want to change?"
"Yes!" Chris would never risk his grandfather's life for an impossible surgery.
With things said to this point, Joanna had no reason to stay.
She returned to her office and took on another surgery—not very difficult, more suited to her status as a newcomer.
When Chris was sending David into the operating room, he saw Joanna entering the neighboring operating room. He laughed mockingly. "Who knows which poor soul got tricked by Joanna. When the surgery fails, who knows how the patient will make a scene."
Hearing this, Cynthia smiled helplessly and said, "Joanna is too eager to prove herself."
Two hours later, Joanna came out of the operating room.
She was exhausted, silently removing her mask.
Seeing her like this, Chris showed an "I knew it" expression. He quickly walked up to Joanna. "The surgery failed, didn't it? I told you—just stay home and be my wife. You had to go and become a doctor, and look how that worked out! It's a mess! Joanna, it's not too late to bail! Just say you're sorry and I'll call off the divorce!"
Joanna glanced at him sideways and said only two words: "Fuck off!"
Right now, she just wanted to go back to her office, have some water, and sit down to rest.
Chris didn't expect Joanna to still be such a hardhead. "Joanna, why are you always like this? Never listen to anyone? You're gonna regret this big time!"
Cynthia immediately tried to persuade Chris, "Chris, let Joanna rest a bit. The surgery failed—she must be really upset!"
Cynthia sounded sympathetic, but inside, she hated Joanna to death. Chris still refused to divorce Joanna even now!
What was so good about Joanna? A woman who couldn't even perform a surgery!
"What are you talking about? What failed surgery?" The assistant who came out behind Joanna immediately objected.