Chapter 53 Threats and Confrontations
After hearing Elena's words, Christine let out a cold laugh.
"I don't mean it that way. I'm merely warning you that if the operation fails, Harrison will certainly not let you off the hook. When that happens, and you have nowhere to turn, don't come running to the Reed family for protection."
Christine folded her arms across her chest, wiping the smile from her face. She was determined to use her own methods to prevent Elena from performing Lily's surgery.
She was counting on Lily dying from her heart condition. Only then would she reveal to Elena that Lily was her biological daughter. She would savor watching Elena suffer the agony of losing her own child.
Such emotional devastation was the cruelest revenge.
However, Elena hadn't yet discovered Christine's sinister plot.
Looking at Christine's imperious demeanor, Elena couldn't help but offer a cold smile of her own.
"Christine, I suggest you stop worrying about my affairs," Elena retorted. "Even if the surgery fails and Harrison drives me to a point of no return, I still wouldn't consider the Reed family my sanctuary."
"Do you honestly believe the Reed family, in its current state, could offer me any protection?"
"Instead of concerning yourself with my business, perhaps you should worry more about your daughter. From what I've observed, Harrison doesn't seem particularly fond of her. If you're so eager for a wealthy marriage, Christine, perhaps you should make the effort yourself. Your skills seem far superior to your daughter's."
Elena's string of sharp comebacks left Christine speechless.
Christine hadn't expected that Elena, who had only recently returned to the country, would already understand the Reed family dynamics so thoroughly.
"You! How dare you, Elena! Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!"
Elena couldn't be bothered with her anymore. She exchanged a glance with Bronte and said, "Bronte, please arrange for the security team to escort our guest out."
As soon as Elena finished speaking, Bronte, who had long disliked Christine, summoned the security personnel who promptly ushered Christine toward the exit.
Christine had come with ulterior motives, but not only had she failed to achieve her goal, she had been verbally thrashed by Elena.
Unable to swallow this humiliation, she grabbed the bag of inexpensive shortbread from the table and stormed out.
As she left, she continued to mutter loudly. "What's she so proud of? She's just someone's little assistant, yet she acts like she's on top of the world. Wait until she kills that child during surgery. She'll get what's coming to her then."
Christine departed, cursing under her breath.
Upstairs, Connor and Lily had been preparing to make Christine pay for her attitude. When Lily heard Christine curse about her surgery failing, even the typically timid Lily summoned her fighting spirit.
Together with Connor, she dragged a water hose to the edge of the upper floor and aimed it directly at the still-muttering Christine.
Christine was in the middle of her tirade when she was completely blindsided by a powerful stream of water hitting her squarely on the head.
The sudden cold shock made Christine yelp. Clutching her head, she howled as she ran out of the Reed villa.
Witnessing her undignified retreat, they upstairs burst into laughter. Even the security staff and Bronte gave the children appreciative thumbs up.
After suffering this humiliation at Elena's home, Christine returned to her own house and immediately began complaining to Mandy.
"That Elena is truly despicable," she told Mandy. "I warned her not to take on Lily's surgery, and not only did she refuse to listen, she had someone douse me with water. That bitch! When I first married into the Reed family, I should have eliminated her right then."
As Christine spoke these words, her eyes glinted with malice.
Mandy sat beside her, her expression grim. "Mom, what should we do next? I've asked around about Ella's team. People say she's an extremely skilled surgeon. She'll definitely cure Lily. That child belongs to that bitch Elena. If one day Darling Frost discovers this, what will happen? Will he...?"
Since Elena's return, Mandy had noticed Harrison's growing coldness toward her. She dreaded the thought of Harrison discovering what she had done years ago. If the truth came to light, she would certainly be the one to face Harrison's wrath.
"Don't worry, Mandy dear. I won't allow that to happen. Since Elena insists on performing Lily's surgery, I'll make sure she's unable to do so."
Christine bit her lip, pronouncing these words with venomous determination.
In the days that followed, Elena remained extremely busy.
The surgeries she had agreed to perform at the dinner party were proceeding according to schedule. After operating on Savannah's mother-in-law, Elena's reputation soared. Savannah treated Elena as her personal savior, singing her praises throughout her social circle.
As a result, within just a few days, Elena's name had become renowned in Pinewood City's medical community. Everyone knew of Elena's crucial position within Dr. Ella's medical team.
After yet another challenging surgery lasting over ten hours, Elena was completely exhausted as she left the operating room.
Nathan noticed her pallor and quietly asked, "Elena, you look worn out. I have a rest room available. Would you like to take a break there?"
Though Elena was indeed tired, she declined Nathan's kind offer.
"No, thank you. This patient's condition is serious. Just because the surgery is over doesn't mean they're out of danger. I'd rather stay nearby in case any complications arise."
As she spoke, Elena glanced toward the critical patient being transferred to the intensive care unit by a nurse.
Understanding Elena's stubbornness, Nathan didn't press further.
"All right. There are some chairs just outside the door. You can sit there and wait. If anything unexpected happens, I'll call you immediately."
Elena nodded and made her way to the chairs outside the ICU. She found a long bench and sat down. The physical exhaustion overwhelmed her, and as she leaned against the backrest, she involuntarily closed her eyes. Years of high-intensity work had left her without any pickiness about her sleeping environment.
Within minutes, Elena had fallen into a deep sleep.
At precisely that moment, Simon accompanied Harrison to discuss Lily's hospitalization plans with Nathan.
Simon looked up and immediately spotted Elena sleeping on the bench.
"Mr. Frost," he said, "isn't that Ms. Reed over there?"