Layer by layer, Riley cut through the damaged tissue.
When her blade neared the nail, her hand paused for a split second before she steadied herself again.
The nail was lodged dangerously close to a major artery.
One slip, and the consequences would be catastrophic.
And with no assistant by her side, there was no room for error.
She forced herself to focus, every nerve sharpened to its limit.
***
While Riley operated inside, Adrian reappeared.
Mr Hales hurried forward, helping Derek wheel him inside.
"How is it?" His voice was low and cold.
Mr Hales shook his head. He didn't understand medicine, and since Miss Sheena hadn't come out, he had no idea what was happening.
But before he could say more, the three doctors—still fuming after being brushed aside—seized the chance to complain.
"Mr Yates, that woman is far too arrogant! She didn't take us seriously at all and went in alone. Does she really think she can perform a surgery like this by herself?"
A flicker passed through Adrian's eyes.
Sheena hadn't come out yet.
Maybe… she actually had a way to save Mrs Hales.
After all, even the stubborn Black Veil in my body had been suppressed by her.
But the others didn't know what he was thinking.
Seeing his silence, the three doctors assumed he agreed. They eagerly piled on, exaggerating Riley's "arrogance", recounting everything with dramatic flair.
Mr Hales frowned as he listened.
This was… a bit much.
Miss Sheena might be cold, but she isn't nearly as unreasonable as they made her sound.
Still, these doctors had put in effort for Frances and have some reputation in the capital. I can't openly contradict them.
It would look like I'm taking sides.
The doctors went on until their throats ran dry, criticizing Riley's attitude, questioning her competence, and even outlining how they believed the wound should be treated.
Yet Adrian gave no reaction.
They hesitated.
Do rich people always get angry this quietly?
"Mr Yates?" one of them ventured.
Adrian lifted his gaze, expression calm.
"If Sheena says she doesn't need help, then she doesn't. Do as she says. If she needs anything, provide it immediately."
The three doctors froze, stunned.
They didn't dare argue. They could only nod, though a trace of resentment flickered in their eyes.
Adrian stayed a while longer. Only after confirming that Sheena was still operating on Mrs Hales did he leave.
Before going, he instructed Mr Hales, "Inform me the moment the surgery is finished."
"Yes, sir."
Mr Hales saw him out.
***
The surgery lasted two full hours.
Mrs Hales's condition had been complicated. Not only did Riley have to deal with the infected wound, she also had to monitor the fever.
By the time she finally removed the nail from Mrs Hales's thigh and cleared away all the necrotic tissue, she was left with the final steps.
Once the wound was cleaned, the fever began to subside.
Riley let out a quiet breath of relief.
After bandaging the injury and tidying up, she pulled off her mask.
I'm starving.
She hadn't eaten much that morning. She'd managed only an apple earlier, before Adrian scolded her for it. Now, after running around and completing an entire surgery, she'd effectively skipped two meals.
Her head felt light from hunger.
I need food. Immediately.
Riley walked to the door, removed her sterile gown, and slipped back into the coat she'd borrowed from the taxi driver earlier. After putting on a fresh mask, she opened the door and stepped out.
What she didn't know was that the moment she left, the woman on the bed slowly opened her eyes.
Mrs. Hales stared ahead, fully awake now, and only then did she realize the person who had just performed her surgery was someone so young.
Beautiful. And skilled in medicine.
How wonderful.
A faint smile touched her lips before exhaustion pulled her back into darkness.
***
The moment Riley opened the door, everyone outside turned at the sound.
Mr Hales and the three doctors stood up at once, all eyes fixed on her.
Hope flickered in Mr Hales's gaze. "Miss Sheena… my wife, is she…"
He faltered, unable to bring himself to say the rest.
Is she beyond saving?
Riley frowned slightly, about to answer, when one of the doctors with glasses cut in, his tone sharp and mocking.
"Hah! We already told you your wife couldn't be saved. The wound has worsened. If the nail isn't removed, she won't make it through the night!"
He stared at Riley with open contempt.
With every word he spoke, the weight on Mr Hales's heart grew heavier.
Just as Mr Hales lowered his head in despair, Riley spoke.
Her voice was cool, steady.
"I've already removed the nail."
The three doctors froze.
"What?!"
"That's impossible!"
Before they could argue further, a servant stepped forward, presenting the extracted nail.
Silence.
Their faces drained of color.
"That nail was right next to a major artery," one of them said stiffly. "How could you possibly remove it alone?"
Riley glanced at them, her tone indifferent.
"You couldn't. That doesn't mean I can't."
Then her gaze sharpened slightly.
"Actually, I'd like to ask you something. As surgeons, why didn't you treat the wound when it had already started to rot and fill with pus? Were you afraid of damaging the artery."
The necrotic tissue hasn't even been near it.
If they had debrided the wound earlier, Mrs Hales wouldn't have deteriorated this badly.
There was a faint curve at Riley's lips—something almost like a smile, yet sharp enough to cut.
The three doctors' expressions darkened.
"What are you implying? Are you questioning us?"
Riley replied calmly. "Isn't that obvious?"
"You—!" The doctor with glasses flushed with anger. "Do you even know what you're saying? The patients we've treated far exceed anything you've seen. If it weren't for the Yates family, why would we waste our time here? There are countless patients waiting at the hospital—why should we stay and be insulted?"
"Exactly!" the other two chimed in, their voices rising. "Mr Hales, we're done here. Find someone else if you like. Clearly, our skills are beneath your standards!"
They sounded more offended than anything else.
Riley simply stood there, watching them without expression.
The more they talked, the clearer it became.
She'd hit a nerve.
Quacks.
Mr Hales, however, didn't know the full story. All he saw was a situation spiraling out of control.
Both sides were people he couldn't afford to offend.
He hurried to smooth things over.
But the three doctors weren't backing down.
"If you want us to stay, you choose," one of them said coldly. "It's either her or us. You can't have both."
"Please calm down," Mr Hales said anxiously. "Of course I trust your expertise. It's just that Miss Sheena was personally invited by—"
By the Master Adrian.
And she had just accomplished what they haven't dared attempt.
Her skill was undeniable.
Mr Hales hesitated, caught between them. Finally, he turned to Riley, forcing a polite smile.
"Miss Sheena, I…"
"You don't need to say anything," Riley cut in lightly.
"I've done what I promised a friend. I should be going now. As for the follow-up treatment, Lucas will handle it."
Her tone was calm, almost detached.
Then she turned and walked away without another word.
Mr Hales watched her retreating figure, a sudden realization hitting him.
Wait—
Master Adrian had told me to ask her to stay—
His heart dropped.
He'd completely forgotten in the middle of that argument.
"Miss Sheena!"
He hurried after her.