Dr. Cohen, named Braylon Cohen, was Lance's college classmate. He specialized in medicine and had become a renowned surgeon abroad.
At this moment, he was rigorously working to save his friend.
"Anesthesia complete."
"Wound cleaned."
"Hemostatic cotton ready."
"Remove the weapon."
With this calm and steady command, the doctors and nurses in the operating room sprang into action.
Fortunately, the dagger was safely removed from Lance's chest.
The wound was cleaned, bleeding was stopped, and the wound was bandaged-all in an orderly manner.
Just as the procedure was nearing its end, the heart rate monitor suddenly emitted a rapid beeping sound.
"Bad, the patient's heart rate is dropping!"
The nurse monitoring the equipment exclaimed in alarm.
Meanwhile, at her apartment. Deanna was preparing medicine when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest. Distracted, she let go of the container in her hand.
With a crash, the sound of breaking glass brought her back to her senses.
She looked at the shattered container on the floor and recalled the strange sensation she had felt. Frowning, she checked her pulse.
The results showed that there was nothing wrong with her body.
"Strange."
She touched her chest, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.
However, she quickly put the incident out of her mind, cleaned up the pharmacy, and resumed her work.
Little did she know that far away, Lance was experiencing a life-and-death crisis.
Braylon discovered that Lance's heart rate was dropping and his organs were failing due to an unknown toxin in his body.
For now, he could only suppress the toxin but had no way to eliminate it.
It wasn't until dawn that the grueling operation, which lasted over ten hours, finally ended.
Xavier sat on a chair in the hallway. Due to his own injuries, he was exhausted but refused to return to his room to rest. He kept his eyes fixed on the operating room door, his heart in his throat.
Given Braylon's medical skills, it shouldn't have taken this long unless something unexpected had occurred.
Thinking of this, Xavier felt a deep sense of guilt.
If he had been more careful while interrogating Harold, he wouldn't have been captured, and Mr. Mercer wouldn't have been injured.
As he was lost in regret, the tightly closed operating room door finally opened from the inside.
Xavier quickly stood up, leaning against the wall for support, and hurried over. "Dr. Cohen, how is Mr. Mercer?"
As he spoke, he glanced into the operating room and saw Lance being wheeled out, covered in tubes and wearing an oxygen mask.
He looked gravely ill.
"Dr. Cohen, Mr. Mercer..." Xavier began anxiously.
Although he didn't finish his sentence, Braylon understood his concern. With a somber expression, he said, "Go back to your room first. I'll settle Lance down and then come to explain everything to you."
Watching Braylon stride away, Xavier felt a growing sense of unease.
This unease was soon confirmed.
Braylon found Xavier and solemnly explained Lance's condition.
"The dagger carried an unknown toxin. It's very peculiar; any mishandling could accelerate the deterioration of Lance's organs. And that's not the worst part."
"There's something worse?"
Xavier was immediately thrown into a panic.
Braylon nodded. "Yes. Lance's old ailment could be fully triggered by the toxin. If that happens, he might die from excruciating pain."
Upon hearing this, Xavier's legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed.
He staggered and barely managed to steady himself against the wall.
Then he seemed to think of something and looked at Braylon with hopeful eyes.
"What about the experts? Let them find a way to detoxify him!"
"I've already arranged for experts to study the toxin. But since it's unknown, developing an antidote could take at least a month or even longer because clinical trials are needed."
As Braylon finished speaking, his face grew heavy with sorrow.
Xavier stood frozen in place.
He had grasped the underlying meaning in Braylon's words.
If things were as Braylon said, Mr. Mercer might not survive that long.
After composing himself, Braylon confirmed Xavier's fears. "I've temporarily suppressed the toxin in Lance's body. But without an antidote, he might not last more than two weeks."
"How could this be? Is there no other way?"
Xavier grabbed Braylon in desperation, trembling all over.
Braylon looked at him and said hoarsely, "I know it's hard for you to accept this right now. But there really is no other treatment plan at the moment. The worst-case scenario is that you notify Lance's parents to come... see him one last time."
However, Xavier couldn't accept this suggestion.
"No, there must be a way to treat him. There has to be!"
He lowered his head in panic, repeatedly telling himself to stay calm and not to panic.
If he panicked now, Mr. Mercer would truly be doomed.
"Right, Dr. Deanna must have a way!"