Chapter 69 He Is with Keira
Sloane's POV
I rushed to the hospital as fast as I could.
The atmosphere in the emergency department was so tense you could cut it with a knife. Lila and several department heads were gathered around the patient's CT scans, their brows deeply furrowed.
I quickly threw on my white coat and joined the discussion.
The patient's condition was truly tricky—multiple organ contusions with massive bleeding. The surgery risk was extremely high; any tiny mistake could mean the patient dying on the operating table.
I took a deep breath, pushing all distracting thoughts to the back of my mind, focusing intently on the imaging films.
Those grief-soaked days and nights at the orphanage, those complicated thoughts about Jared—in this moment, I forcibly suppressed them all. First and foremost, I was a doctor.
Combining the patient's various indicators and imaging details, I proposed a surgical approach that broke convention but would maximize organ function preservation. The senior doctors were skeptical at first, but after I explained in detail the feasibility and risk assessment of each step, the tension on their faces gradually gave way to enlightenment.
The surgical plan was quickly finalized, with me as the lead surgeon.
Hours later, when I dragged my exhausted body out of the operating room and peeled off my sweat-soaked surgical gown, Jessie, who'd been waiting at the door, immediately rushed over with admiration. "Sloane, you're amazing! You're literally my hero!"
The consultation was successful, the surgery went smoothly, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Jessie had become my number one fan, clinging to my arm and looking at me with starry eyes. "Sloane, could you lend me your study materials from college? I dream of becoming as excellent as you!"
Looking at her young face full of energy, the exhaustion in my heart seemed to lighten a bit, so I nodded in agreement.
"That's great!" She cheered and dragged me outside without giving me a choice. "To thank you, I'm treating you to dinner! I know this really fancy restaurant—I promise you'll love it!"
I tried to refuse, not wanting her to spend so much, but she was unusually insistent, saying this was her heartfelt gesture to her idol, and if I didn't go, I'd be looking down on her.
Unable to resist her enthusiasm, I could only let her push me into a taxi.
The restaurant Jessie brought me to was indeed luxurious—crystal chandeliers cast brilliant light, and melodious piano music floated through the air. She enthusiastically recommended dishes while I was somewhat distracted.
"Sloane, besides notes, do you have any books you'd recommend?" Jessie pulled out her phone, ready to take notes.
I thought for a moment and listed several titles, all cutting-edge works in the field of neurosurgery.
Jessie searched on her phone while exclaiming, "Wow, these books are all so expensive... Huh?"
She suddenly stopped, holding up her phone, pointing somewhat confused at a private room entrance half-hidden by plants not far away. "Sloane, that man... why does he look so much like your husband?"
My heart sank sharply as I looked in the direction she was pointing.
Just one glance, and all the blood in my body seemed to freeze.
Jared's tall figure was standing at the private room entrance. He was turned to the side, talking to a woman in a champagne-colored dress.
Who else could that woman be but Keira?
His face showed a gentle expression. Jared's head was slightly lowered, and whatever Keira said, he actually laughed softly. That smile, under the brilliant lights, was so glaring it almost brought me to tears.
"I'll handle everything."
"I have no interest in her whatsoever."
"You're more important than work."
Every word he'd said these past days, every thing he'd done—in this moment, they all felt like loud slaps across my face.
I was a complete fool to actually believe he'd changed because of a few sweet-talking words and a few days of clumsy companionship.
Affection that comes too late is truly cheaper than grass.
"Sloane? What's wrong? You look terrible." Jessie looked at me with concern.
The scar on my chest that had just healed was torn open by this scene of him "chatting and laughing," exposing the bloody mess inside. A coldness mixed with humiliation and anger rushed from my feet to my head.
I wanted to see for myself—was his so-called "handling business" actually discussing wedding plans with Keira here?
"I'm going to the restroom." I forced out a stiff smile, picked up my purse and stood up, and under Jessie's concerned gaze, walked step by step toward that private room.
Since he loved acting so much, I didn't mind exposing him on the spot and catching him red-handed.
I didn't knock. I turned the doorknob and pushed the door open, barging right in.
The harmonious scene inside the private room was instantly shattered by my intrusion.
Seated at the head of the table were Aeneas and Isabelle. Next to them was a woman with an elegant demeanor who appeared to be about their age, speaking kindly with Keira.
Arthur was there too, and Jared was sitting right next to Keira.
A room full of people, and except for Jared, they were all hostile toward me.
What a warm and harmonious "family gathering" this was.
Seeing me, the smile on Jared's face instantly froze, a flash of surprise and barely detectable panic crossing his eyes.
"How did you get here?Sloane?" The elegant woman next to Aeneas spoke first. She looked me up and down, her brow furrowed, her tone full of condescending reproach. "Who let you in? You're becoming more and more ill-mannered!"
Only then did I recognize her—Jared's aunt, Barbara Montclair, a woman who, like Aeneas, looked down on my background from the very core of her being.
After a flash of surprise, Keira smirked and leaned into Jared, her tone dripping with fake innocence. "Sloane, why are you here? Jared is discussing... our wedding plans with us. It's not really appropriate for you to barge in like this, is it? After all, you're an outsider, and we're discussing family matters."
Outsider. Family matters.
These two phrases hurt like hell.
Aeneas's face had already darkened to the point where water could drip from it. He slammed his knife and fork heavily on the table, making a jarring sound.
He looked at me, his eyes full of disgust and contempt, as if looking at something shameless and dirty.
"I said long ago you were a fraud!" He pointed at me furiously. "Talking about divorce with your mouth, but still clinging on behind the scenes, and now you even dare to chase us here! What exactly is your face made of!" Each of Aeneas's words was like a loud slap across my face.
All my courage and pretense crumbled before this carefully orchestrated ambush.
Embarrassment and humiliation flooded over me like a tide. I just wanted to escape immediately, to flee from these contemptuous and vicious stares.
I didn't even have the strength to argue back. I just turned around, wanting to pull open the door and end this self-humiliating farce in disgrace.
But my wrist was suddenly grabbed by a powerful force.