Chapter 24
The director's warm words immediately revealed that she was a kind soul.
"There is no need," Marissa replied courteously,shaking her head. To her, this procedure was as second nature as lacing up her boots.
Observing Marissa's self-assurance, the director held back from further comment, wary of disrupting her focus, and silently watched from the sidelines.
Christy, lost in thought, absently brushed her bruised right cheek with her hand.
When the nurse saw Christy's distraction, she hurried to the director and whispered urgently, "This doctor doesn't seemto be from our hospital! If the treatment goes wrong, won't the Curtis family hold us accountable?"
Harmony Hospital prided itself on employing highly skilled doctors, with even its interns being top-tier students from prestigious schools.
"Perhaps you should take over?" the nurse pressed.
The doctor missed some of the nurse's words, turning with a smile. "It's alright. Let her give it a try. There
shouldn't be any serious problem."
The nurse, growing frantic, glanced at Marissa, who was poised to begin the procedure. Stomping her foot in agitation, she raised her voice. "That's not what I'm saying! She's not from our hospital! We can't let her treat the patient!"
Misinterpreting the nurse's urgency as a trivial spat among younger staff, the head doctor furrowed her brow slightly. "It's fine. I'm here overseeing. Nothing will go wrong."
Marissa,fully prepped, stood ready to start.
The director's admiration grew as she observed Marissa's unwavering composure, undisturbed by the surrounding tension.
She leaned toward the nurse, murmuring, "Notice her technique-the precision, the control. It's remarkably skilled! She's a real talent. I must find out who trained her once she's done."
"Dr. Quinn!" The nurse was exasperated, realizing that Carla Quinn hadn't grasped what was really going on."The patient is a Curtis family member, someone prominent. If this treatment fails, we will be held accountable!"
The nurse was tempted to grab Carla's face to force her attention
"Enough," Christy interjected, shooting the nurse an irritated glance. "If something goes wrong, it's not on you. Why are you causing a fuss?" While fixated on Marissa's movements, Christy was annoyed by the nurse's exchange wth Carla.
The nurse felt powerless. Glancing from Carla to Maxton, she opened her mouth to protest but stopped,reassured by Maxton's presence.
Carla grew increasingly fond of Marissa's evident skill,captivated by the confident aura she projected.
Unable to hold back, she edged closer, waiting until Marissa neared the end of the initial treatment phase to ask softly, "Where did you study?"
As Marissa lifted her hand, Rita, whose breathing had been faint but steady, stirred her eyelids. The moment Marissa rose, Rita's eyes opened.
"Rita, you're awake!" Holley cried, bounding toward Rita with unrestrained glee.
Holley's careless enthusiasm disregarded everyone else's space.
Her sudden rush nearly caused Maissa to hurt herself.
Marissa, her face impassive, regarded the overly enthusiastic Holley and swiftly stowed the medical kit.She remarked coolly, "Her frail bones can't withstand
such careless handling."
She had no tolerance for recklessness.
"I'm not careless!" Holley shot back, her sharp retort dismissive of Marissa's recent assistance, as if it meant nothing to her.
Marissa's piercing, luminous gaze settled icily on Holley, her faint half-smile conveying silent reproach.
"You..." Holley stammered, inexplicably unnerved by Marissa's stare, and in her distraction, she stumbled over her own feet, crashing to the floor with a yelp
Maxton, observing from the sidelines with arms crossed, made no move to assist. His detached, frosty gaze lingered on Marissa's unmasked eyes, stirring a vague sense of recognition, as though he had seen her before.
Sensing his scrutiny, Marissa flicked her eyes toward Maxton, noted his contemplative look,and turned away with a subtle smirk hidden beneath her mask
She silently criticized Harmony Hospital's lax oversight,which permitted an uncertified doctor to treat patients.
"Maxton!" Holley cried out in a panic, her voice cutting through the air.
Her shout jolted Maxton from his thoughts, and he pinched his brow in irritation.
Holley's close bond with her sister came to mind. If Holley vented to her, it might lead to a nightmare.
Memories of past troubles intensified Maxton's headache.
"You're so careless. How do you trip over yourself?" he muttered, reluctantly extending a hand
But it was too late.
Holley instinctively reached for Marissa, who stood closest.