chapter1844
The night was deep, and Stella was fast asleep.
Joshua stood by a window in the hallway, on the phone. "How are things progressing?"
Harold's voice was low. "After King Wright kidnapped her and took her to the Delta, Aurora has become extremely cautious about her safety. She's protected not only by the Williams family but also by the Chapmans and the Burtons. Their security is tight. After the incident with Jonathan, she's even more careful. Finding an opportunity to make a move... will be very difficult."
This was Solmaris, after all-their territory. Kidnapping someone on their home turf was no easy feat.
Joshua didn't seem surprised by the news.
He asked coolly, "What about the other thing I had you look into? What's the status?"
Harold replied, "...You were right, Mr. Gardner. The person didn't die, but they were severely burned, almost to the point of disfigurement."
Joshua said, "Leak the news of Aurora's engagement to those two brothers."
Harold was startled. "Yes, sir."
After hanging up, Joshua didn't immediately return to the room. He stood watching the endless night outside the window.
A faint smile touched his thin lips, but his eyes glinted with a sinister coldness.
Anyone who stood in his and Star's way would not escape.
A few days later, Stella was wheeled into the operating room.
The procedure wasn't life-threatening or particularly major, but it required extreme precision.
Mr. Burton, who had been a lead surgeon his entire life, was assisting for the first time.
After checking all the surgical instruments and medical equipment to confirm everything was in order, the anesthesiologist began to administer Stella's anesthesia.
As he watched Stella's eyes slowly close as she drifted into unconsciousness, Mr. Burton couldn't help but start grumbling.
"Wyatt, what have you gotten me into? If that Gardner kid finds out you let the Lerman boy into the operating room to see Stella, he'll tear my old bones apart. I've lived my whole life with a clear conscience, and now you've ruined it!"
Old Mr. Wyatt lifted an eyelid. "I'm the one forcing you. Just blame it all on me when the time comes. What are you afraid of?"
Mr. Burton snorted.
"My moral
standards aren't that low. Stella and
Joshua Gardner are so good
together, and here you are, sticking your nose in their business and
making me cover for you it feels like I'm helping someone arrange a secret rendezvous. How am I supposed to face Stella or Joshua
Gardner after this?"
Old Mr. Wyatt said coldly, "If you don't want to help, then don't do the surgery."
Mr. Burton immediately backed down.
He had no choice. This type of surgery wasn't his specialty, so the stubborn old man
had him right where he wanted him.
Mr. Burton was still muttering
unhappily, "You made a mistake
when you were young and never had
a chance to fix it, so now you're
Dixit Spor
projecting your need for atonement
onto someone else..."
A few minutes later, a tall man in sterile scrubs emerged from the staff elevator.
Seeing him, Mr. Burton's expression soured even more.
"Resorting to such sneaky tactics just to see someone... It's disgraceful!"
Leonard was already used to Mr. Burton's bluntness.
He approached the operating table and looked down at Stella.
Perhaps the anesthesia hadn't fully taken effect, or maybe the dose was too small,
but Stella's eyelashes fluttered slightly.
Leonard froze.
In the next second, however, Stella became still again, as if the movement had been
a figment of his imagination.
Leonard watched her for a few more
seconds before turning to Old Me
Wyatt Old M
Wyatt I'm
the surgery to your Contesting
belongs
Old Mr. Wyatt nodded. "You've seen her. Now you should go. Don't interfere with our
surgical schedule."
Leonard didn't linger and quickly left, taking the staff elevator back down.
Stella's surgery was a complete success.
Afterward, Old Mr. Wyatt gave Joshua instructions.
"For the next two weeks, she can't get it wet or risk any injury. There are also some
foods she needs to avoid..."
Joshua took careful note of everything.