Oakdale, Hope Valley Hospital
“Carl, this is your last chance—don’t let me down,” said Dr. Dominic Arthur, his voice stern as he stared at the young man before him.
“Don’t worry, Dr. Dominic, I’ll give it my all!” Carl responded with a confident pat on his chest.
A year ago, he had been involved in a medical malpractice case that had upended his life. He spent a year in prison, and by the time he was released, his wife had found someone new and insisted on a divorce.
He accepted the reality and agreed to the divorce. But when he fought for custody of his daughter in court, his criminal record and financial instability worked against him, and he lost the battle.
Yet, that wasn’t the worst part. The real heartbreak came from seeing the look in his daughter’s eyes—disappointment, despair, and even fear. That look haunted him daily.
He knew it was his fault. He hadn’t been the father he promised to be.
Determined to rebuild his life, Carl reached out to his former mentor, Dr. Dominic. After much persuasion, he finally agreed to give him another chance.
Dr. Dominic knew that the incident from the past wasn’t truly Carl’s fault—it was the patient’s refusal to follow the rules that had caused the accident. But still, Carl had taken the blame at the time, which prevented even worse consequences.
Over the years, Dr. Dominic had been waiting for an opportunity to help Carl prove that he was a capable, dedicated doctor. And now, this surgery was that opportunity.
The lead surgeon for the operation was Dr. Julian Styles, a world-renowned neurologist and the president of the Global Neurological Association. He also held the title of Director of Neurology at the prestigious Grandview Medical Center.
For a hospital like Hope Valley, having Dr. Julian perform surgery there was a huge honor. Carl and Dr. Dominic were the assistant doctors for this procedure.
If the surgery went well, Carl’s job at Hope Valley Hospital would be secure for the foreseeable future.
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As Carl was about to enter the operating room, a voice suddenly rang in his head, startling him.
“What is this?” He muttered to himself as a property interface appeared before his eyes.
[Name: Jason Miller]
[Transformation Points: 10]
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“Carl, what are you spacing out for?” Dr. Dominic’s voice brought him back to reality. “This surgery is crucial for you. Stay focused!”
“Sorry, sorry,” Carl quickly apologized, snapping back to attention.
Dr. Dominic sighed and said, “You can’t afford to lose focus, or even I won’t be able to help you.”
Carl nodded, understanding the weight of the moment. He couldn’t waste the opportunity Dr. Dominic had secured for him.
Just then, someone outside signaled for Dr. Dominic to come out.
“Carl, I’m leaving this to you. I’ll be back soon,” He said with a serious expression.
Carl nodded, and he left, leaving him as the primary assistant to Dr. Julian.
The patient for this operation was no ordinary person. Her name was Emma Taylor, the daughter of Edward Taylor, one of the wealthiest men in Oakdale.
Edward was not only incredibly wealthy but also deeply connected in both the legitimate and underground worlds.
Emma had suffered a head injury as a child when she fell down a flight of stairs. Though she could still communicate normally, she experienced debilitating headaches every couple of months. What once could be controlled with medication was now intensifying, and the pain had grown unbearable, with thoughts of suicide occasionally crossing her mind.
Edward, desperate to save his daughter, spared no expense in flying Dr. Grant in from New York, hoping that the renowned neurosurgeon could cure her.
After conducting a thorough examination, Dr. Julian concluded that the root of the problem lay in Emma’s brain. He recommended a high-risk surgery to remove the clotted blood accumulating in her cerebral vessels, which would hopefully end her chronic pain.
However, the surgery carried a significant risk. If the blood flow to her brain was insufficient while the clots were being removed, her brain could cease functioning, resulting in irreversible damage or even death.
Edward understood the risks but was willing to do anything to save his daughter. He spent a considerable amount of money securing a blood donor with a rare blood type that matched Emma’s. The surgery would only succeed if everything went perfectly.
Thus, Dr. Julian chose to perform the operation at Hope Valley Hospital, hoping the smaller setting would be less prone to complications. The success of the surgery was critical—not only for Emma’s life but also for his professional reputation.
The whole world was watching. This surgery was a landmark event, both for its medical implications and the risk involved. Doctors around the globe were eager to see how he would handle this challenging case. Success would catapult his career to even greater heights; failure would likely end his reputation.
"Check the blood pressure," he ordered.
"Normal!"
"Pulse..."
"Normal!"
Outside the operating room, the crowd watched the live stream of the surgery on their phones. This high-risk procedure had captured the attention of both medical professionals and the public.
“Dr. Julian is amazing! Only he could take on such a risky surgery. I’d be terrified to attempt something like that.”
“If the surgery works, I’m definitely going to study under him. He’s a genius.”
“It’s a miracle worker like him who gives us hope. Without him, this kind of confidence wouldn’t even exist.”
Meanwhile, Edward stood nervously by, trying to calm his racing thoughts by chain-smoking. His daughter was on the operating table, and all he could do was wait.
“Emma, don’t be scared. Your dad’s waiting outside. The surgery will work, I promise,” he whispered to himself.
Inside the operating room, Dr. Julian skillfully began the delicate procedure, the scalpel cutting into Emma’s skin with precision. The procedure was bloody, and only the doctors, who were used to such sights, could handle the intensity of the moment. Edward, though worried, stayed focused on the live video..
