Chapter 185: It Won't Even Go Through

Chapter 185: It Won't Even Go Through

"With this level of calcification, the suture needle won't even go through, will it?" someone whispered in the observation room.

Diana didn't hesitate for a second. Instead of using traditional cardioplegia, she had her assistant stabilize the local myocardium.

"Hemostatic clamps."

"Fine suture."

Her hands were incredibly steady—steady like precision instruments. Stitching on a beating heart, every needle placement was spaced with ruler-like accuracy.

Professor Schmidt sat in the assistant position, initially observing with some skepticism. But as Diana completed the first vascular anastomosis, his expression gradually shifted from doubt to astonishment.

Too fast.

And too precise.

That ability to control precision within millimeters transcended mere practice and training—it was genuine talent.

Time ticked by as the surgery entered its third hour.

"Blood pressure dropping! Heart rate spiking!" the anesthesiologist suddenly called out.

The OR went dead silent. Brad immediately stood up. "We need to go on bypass now! The heart's failing!"

"No switching." Diana didn't even look up, her hands never missing a beat. "It's just temporary ischemia while the collateral circulation establishes itself. Give me thirty seconds."

"Diana! You're playing Russian roulette with this patient!" Professor Schmidt was also alarmed.

"Twenty seconds," Diana said, her voice steady as steel as the vascular clamp flew through the tiny gaps at lightning speed.

Just as Brad was about to forcibly take command, the monitor alarms suddenly stopped.

Heart rate gradually stabilized, and blood pressure began steadily rising.

Diana completed the final stitch.

"Blood flow restored."

When fresh blood surged through the newly established bypass graft into the myocardium, the previously gray heart instantly regained its healthy color, beating with renewed vigor.

In the observation room, someone started clapping, followed by scattered applause.

Professor Schmidt exhaled deeply, his gaze toward Diana completely transformed. "Dr. Johnson, incredible. This 'beating heart anastomosis'—no one in the country could have done it more beautifully."

Diana showed no joy, only calm instruction: "Prepare for closure. Post-operative monitoring cannot be taken lightly."

Walking out of the operating room, Diana's scrubs were soaked with sweat.

Charles rushed up immediately. Seeing Diana's exhausted expression, he instinctively reached out to steady her, then froze mid-gesture.

"The surgery was successful," Diana spoke first, cutting off whatever he might have said. "Mrs. Young will be transferred to the ICU. The next 48 hours are critical."

Charles's voice was hoarse. "Thank you, Diana."

Diana walked past him toward the break room. She just wanted to be alone for a moment.

However, she didn't know that less than an hour after news of the surgical success broke, the internet and internal hospital forums were already buzzing with controversy.

Celeste's surgery had been reported internally by Hopewell Hospital as a "textbook case."

Overnight, Diana's name was on everyone's lips in Emerald City's medical community. But fame came with a price, especially for a young, attractive woman in a male-dominated field.

The day after surgery, an account called "Medical Justice Voice" published a lengthy post on social media with an explosive headline:

"Exposing the Truth Behind Elite Surgery: Medical Miracle or Capital-Driven Performance?"

The article claimed with certainty that Celeste's surgical success was entirely due to top cardiac surgeons Professor Schmidt from Frostvik and Brad providing expert backup. The so-called "lead surgeon" Diana was merely leveraging her "romantic history" with Windsor Group's CEO to establish herself after returning to the country, forcibly claiming credit as lead surgeon.

The article even included several blurry photos: Diana talking with Charles in the hallway before surgery, and Professor Schmidt looking exhausted as he left the operating room.

"According to inside sources, when the crisis struck during surgery, it was Professor Schmidt who stepped in to save the situation, while Dr. Johnson's hands were shaking at the crucial moment, nearly causing disaster. Afterward, Windsor Group pressured the hospital to credit all success to Dr. Johnson..."

The article spread rapidly, with comments full of malicious speculation.

"Called it! A lead surgeon under 30? For this kind of surgery? What is this, Grey's Anatomy?"

"She's gorgeous—no wonder Windsor's pushing her career."

"Feel bad for those senior docs, having to play second fiddle to some rich guy's pet project."

In the hospital corridors, nurses who had previously idolized Diana began whispering.

"Hey, did you hear? The forum says Dr. Johnson stole credit from Professor Schmidt."

"No wonder Professor Schmidt looked so terrible when he came out—he was furious."

"Keep it down. She's got Mr. Windsor backing her. We can't afford to cross her."

Diana was returning from rounds when she overheard this conversation. She paused slightly, her expression remaining calm, as if those rumors weren't about her at all.

Cynthia, however, couldn't stand it. She stormed into the office and slammed her phone on the desk. "Dr. Johnson! Look at this! This is total BS! We were all there during surgery. You clearly saved the day, Professor Schmidt and Mr. Thornton were obviously impressed—how did this become you stealing credit?"

Diana glanced calmly at the screen. "The more attention you give these things, the worse they get. As long as the patient pulls through, that's all that matters."

"How can it not matter? This affects your professional reputation!" Cynthia's eyes reddened with frustration. "I'll post a clarification, I'll get the surgical footage!"

"The footage is protected by confidentiality agreements. You can't access it." Diana sat down and began writing progress notes. "Cynthia, prepare Mrs. Young's extubation assessment. That's what we should be doing now."

However, the situation developed far beyond Diana's expectations.

That afternoon, in the hospital administration building.

Several experts who had participated in the surgery were called to Joseph's office. Besides Glenn, there were several Windsor Group representatives and a grim-faced Charles.

"Professor Schmidt, Dr. Thornton, you've seen the online rumors." Joseph wiped his sweat. "This is seriously damaging our hospital's reputation, so we'd like you to issue a statement clarifying what actually happened during surgery."

Professor Schmidt frowned, but before he could speak, his young assistant spoke first: "Dr. Jones, Professor Schmidt's status is too prestigious to get involved in online flame wars. Besides... while the online comments are harsh, some details aren't entirely wrong. Blood pressure did drop suddenly during surgery, and Professor Schmidt did suggest switching to cardiopulmonary bypass, but Dr. Johnson insisted on her way..."