Chapter 9
Juliana's hands stilled.
"Ms. Hale, my professional qualifications aren't up for review by some con artist who slept her way to the top."
Bianca's smile froze on her face. "What... what did you just say?!"
"I said," Juliana stripped off her disposable gloves and tossed them into the medical waste bin, "saving lives is my professional duty. Otherwise, looking at someone like Ashley—disrespectful, venomous—would be an insult to my eyes."
"You!" Ashley nearly launched herself out of the hospital bed.
Juliana didn't even glance at her, instead fixing her gaze on Bianca, whose face cycled through shades of purple and white. "And you—instead of wasting time here stirring up trouble, maybe work on improving those embarrassing acting skills of yours. After all, the position of Mrs. Sharp can't be secured with just a pretty face."
She picked up the medical chart. SLAM! The force of the door closing left Ashley and Bianca stunned into silence.
Juliana strode quickly through the hospital's quiet corridor. Just as she rounded the corner, she collided with someone. Lucas. He'd clearly just arrived. Seeing Juliana's furious expression, his brow furrowed.
"What happened?"
Looking at his face made the rage inside Juliana surge even higher. This whole family—not a single decent person among them! She said nothing, just shot him one icy glare, walked around him, and headed straight for the elevators.
Back in the hospital room, Ashley finally collected herself. She turned a cold look on Bianca. "Well, that's just great. You've driven her off—now what about my surgery?!"
Bianca heard the accusation in her tone. How was she supposed to know Juliana had such a temper?! Her eyes darted as her mind worked. "I made some inquiries—the world's top specialist, that legendary doctor from the Lynd family, William? He's actually in the country right now! Apparently doing some charity medical work!"
The legendary doctor from the Lynd family? Ashley froze. That was someone out of legend—medical skills beyond compare, who'd pulled countless wealthy and powerful people back from death's door. If they could get him, forget one Juliana—ten of her wouldn't measure up! Ashley's fury evaporated instantly.
"Really? Is this information reliable?"
"Absolutely! A director friend of mine—William saved his father!" Seeing Ashley's attitude shift, Bianca immediately claimed credit. "Mrs. Sharp, who does that Juliana think she is? We have a better option! Why put up with her attitude?!"
The clouds cleared from Ashley's face as she smiled again, instructing the butler. "Quick! Prepare an expensive gift! No—call first! Contact Mr. Lynd's assistant immediately. Tell them the Sharp family wants him to perform my surgery! Money is no object!"
The butler rushed off. Before long, he returned, his expression odd.
"Well?" Bianca asked eagerly. "Did you set up an appointment?"
The butler lowered his head. "They... refused."
"Refused?" Bianca's smile stiffened. "Is it about money? Tell them to name their price! One hundred million, a billion—whatever it takes, as long as he'll come!"
"It's not about money. His assistant said... he has rules."
"What rules?"
The butler swallowed hard. "He said... the Lynd family will never, under any circumstances, treat anyone from the Sharp family."
Bianca's smugness hadn't fully faded yet, making her expression almost comical.
"Why?" Ashley murmured. "The Sharp family and the Lynd family have no grudge between us. Why would they..."
When Lucas learned what happened, he said nothing but quickly arranged for other doctors to consult on the case. Not a single one dared take it on.
The Sharp Estate. Ashley grew increasingly uncomfortable. Bianca, watching from the side, had a vicious idea take root.
"Mrs. Sharp, don't panic. We're not completely out of options. That Juliana—doesn't she care an awful lot about Dami?"
Ashley's eyes lit up instantly. Lucas's expression turned to ice.
"I heard from Lucas that Dami really seems to enjoy being around her." Bianca continued fanning the flames, her voice carrying a cruel edge of satisfaction. "So we use the child as leverage. Force her hand! I don't believe she'd just stand by and watch if something happened to the boy."
Lucas's hands, hanging at his sides, clenched until his knuckles went white. He remembered that small figure in the study, crying while defending Bianca. Then he looked at the woman before him now—full of nothing but schemes and malice.
"Get out." Lucas's words cut through the air.
Bianca's smile froze. "Lucas, you... what are you saying? I'm only trying to help Mrs. Sharp..."
"I said get out." Lucas looked up. "Don't make me say it a third time."
He couldn't fathom it—this woman was supposedly the child's mother, yet she could so casually suggest using him as a weapon. Bianca trembled under the disgust in his eyes, not daring to utter another word.
After Bianca left, only mother and son remained in the room.
"Why are you snapping at her?!" Ashley complained irritably. "I think Bee made a good point! Desperate times call for desperate measures! That Juliana..."
"Mom." Lucas cut her off. "Don't bring this up again. I'll handle it." He paused. "Get some rest."
Without another word, he turned and left. He needed to find out exactly what bad blood existed between the Sharp and Lynd families. And he needed to ask Juliana what game she was playing—agreeing to the surgery, then backing out.
After Lucas left, the hospital room fell eerily quiet. Ashley lay alone in bed. Bee's poisonous suggestion was like a toxic seed, taking root and spreading wildly in her mind. Lucas said she couldn't use it? Then she'd do it behind his back.
Back home, Juliana locked herself in the study, pulling up all the files on Ashley's condition and reviewing surgical approaches over and over again. She'd agreed to the surgery—not for the Sharp family, but for her own principles as a doctor. Still, the thought of saving the woman who'd nearly killed her and her child on that operating table made her stomach churn.
In the living room, Mary was preparing dinner. "Matty, stop playing and come wash your hands for dinner."
Mary called out, but got no response.