Chapter 15
Chloe and Benjamin both froze, their faces turning ugly.
How was this possible?
She clenched her fists tightly, wanting nothing more than to rush forward and shake Charlotte's shoulders desperately, demanding to know what was going on.
Charlotte had always been in the countryside, with regular reports about her situation there.
How could she possibly have such incredible medical skills!
Chloe was so angry she was practically steaming.
Every time she thought Charlotte would embarrass herself, Charlotte would somehow steal the spotlight instead.
Why?
What gave her the right!
The old doctor was still gushing to Alexander, praising Charlotte to the skies.
"Even Dr. Samuel Lee can't compare to her. She's simply an unparalleled genius!"
Alexander raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Charlotte beside them looked calm, as if all these lavish compliments had nothing to do with her.
Alexander's eyes grew more intrigued.
A young girl raised by the Johnson family in the countryside not only had a black card from a top luxury mall owner but also such exquisite medical skills.
Just how many unknown secrets did she have?
"That's enough."
Charlotte interrupted the old doctor's rambling, saying coldly, "I've already taken on a student. I won't take anyone else. The operating room has a recording of today's surgery. You can study and learn from that."
The old doctor was stunned, a bit disappointed and curious. "May I ask, where is your student working now?"
Charlotte pressed her lips slightly, her gaze suddenly moving past Alexander to behind him.
"He's here."
Everyone looked over at once and saw Peter walking over with a young man in a gray sweater carrying a medical kit.
The man had a naturally refined air about him, clearly someone in academia or medicine.
"This is Samuel Lee. He happened to be making house calls nearby, so I urgently brought him over!"
Peter introduced him with some excitement, thinking Edward was finally saved.
The old doctor waved his hand, laughing. "No need to trouble Dr. Lee. The surgery was successful, and the patient is safe!"
Peter was shocked. "How can that be? Didn't you say you weren't confident?"
"We weren't confident, but this young lady was." The old doctor proudly introduced Charlotte to Samuel. "Dr. Lee, you don't know, this..."
"Ms. Johnson."
Samuel interrupted him, stepping forward to nod at Charlotte respectfully.
Chloe shrieked, "Wait! You know her?"
Samuel frowned and glanced at her, then ignored her.
"Ms. Johnson, you already did the surgery here?"
Charlotte nodded, seemingly oblivious to the shocked looks around her.
"Yes. You can go into the operating room to check the sutures and my complete surgical records. Five minutes is too slow. I'm giving you one month to break through to three minutes. Success only, no failure allowed."
She casually gave orders, her presence at this moment not at all like some country bumpkin, but more like a queen commanding her domain.
Samuel's expression turned serious. He straightened his back and nodded. "Alright! I'll go now."
He nodded and entered the operating room.
In the hallway, everyone except Alexander stood frozen in place.
The old doctor stared blankly at Charlotte, feeling that the shocks he'd received in this short hour exceeded his entire lifetime.
This miracle doctor's student was actually Samuel! Their idol in cardiac surgery!
Charlotte had no intention of staying longer. "Mr. Harris, since there's nothing else here, I'll be going."
With that, she lifted her foot to leave.
Alexander suddenly reached out and stopped her. "Wait."
Charlotte frowned, watching him warily. "Is there something else?"
Was this man worried Edward might have complications and wanted her to stay until Edward's observation period was over?
Alexander glanced casually at Benjamin and the other.
"Ms. Johnson saved my father. She's a benefactor of the Harris family. You were disrespectful to her just now. You must apologize."
Benjamin's eyes widened in disbelief. "I have to apologize to her?"
Chloe bit her lip even more aggrieved.
"Mr. Harris, I questioned her earlier only because I was too worried about Edward's condition. I wasn't trying to cause trouble on purpose. Please understand."
Charlotte crossed her arms, raising her eyebrows in slight surprise.
She hadn't expected Alexander to stop her just to make these people apologize to her.
What was this man up to?
Charlotte had always been cautious, and now she was even more suspicious of Alexander's motives.
She curved her lips, waiting leisurely in place without expressing any opinion.
Watching these two get told off in front of her—why not enjoy it?
Alexander's eyes showed a hint of impatience. "What? Are you defying my orders?"
"No, we wouldn't dare." Benjamin swallowed and automatically lowered his head before him.
He never dared to contradict Alexander in the slightest.
He could only bite the bullet and move in front of Charlotte. Seeing Chloe hadn't moved at all, he pulled her over too.
Chloe reluctantly gritted her teeth. "I'm sorry. I didn't speak respectfully to you earlier. Can you forgive me?"
Her eyes flickered, then she changed the subject.
"But you've been in the countryside all these years. You must have done many unknown things. I had no idea when you developed such amazing medical skills."
A flash of jealous hatred crossed her eyes. She hadn't expected Charlotte to steal the spotlight again in front of so many people, especially in front of Alexander.
Charlotte looked down at Chloe. "There are plenty of things you don't know. Do I need to report everything to you?"
Chloe was shut down by her response, her smile nearly cracking.
Alexander reminded Benjamin, "Your turn."
Benjamin couldn't avoid it. He took a deep breath and reluctantly stepped forward to apologize.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those harsh things earlier. Thank you for saving my grandfather's life."
Charlotte remained expressionless, her tone carrying cold mockery. "I don't need your thanks. Just remember to keep a low profile when you see me in the future. Don't hold your head up in front of me."
Benjamin nearly choked with anger.
Charlotte withdrew her gaze as if looking at trash, turned around, and left without looking back.
Alexander stood in the hallway, watching her thin figure in the black hoodie.
Charlotte had been carrying a shoulder bag when she arrived, now left at the base of the hallway wall.
She picked it up and casually slung it over her shoulder, walking into the elevator without looking back, her manner mysterious and a bit cool.
Alexander's eyes deepened, the corners of his lips unconsciously curving up slightly.
Chloe didn't miss the subtle change in his expression.
Her heart sank, a sense of crisis rising within her.
Was Alexander becoming genuinely interested in Charlotte?