Chapter 70 Hidden Players
Chase immediately got up, threw on his coat, and rushed out.
After he left, Wendy stayed lying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Stella was going to be a problem. She had never liked Chase to begin with–if Wendy told her they were getting back together, Stella would definitely turn her anger toward Chase.
But what could she do?
How did she end up with such a silly little sister?
Wendy sighed. It was partly her fault too. She hadn’t guided Stella properly when she was younger. If only she had taught her the difference between loving someone because of Jadmiration and truly falling in love, maybe things would have turned out differently.
The patient who had just been brought in was in critical condition. They said he had fallen from a stage during a concert, and a massive chandelier had come down on top of him. A steel rod had pierced through his body–miraculously missing the heart and keeping him alive.
“What’s the situation?” Chase asked as he entered the meeting room in his white coat. All the departments were already gathered.
“Chairman, take a look at the scans. It’s not good.”
The new acting head of orthopedics, Bernard, handed him the images. With a name like Bernard, most people would’ve guessed it was a woman. But it turned out Bernard was a man in his thirties, looking just as clean–cut and refined as his name sounded.
This was Chase’s first time meeting him.
Apparently, Bernard had originally been the one in line for the department head role. But Simon had bought his way into the position instead. Bernard didn’t seem to mind much,
The moment Simon got dismissed, Bernard was promoted.
If Bernard had taken over orthopedics earlier, a lot of trouble–and a hefty settlement–could’ve been avoided.
One wrong step, and the hospital had paid the price.
“It’s a transverse penetration,” Chase said after a glance. “With this kind of injury, we’ll have to crack the chest. Every department needs to work out a joint surgical plan. How’s the patient? Still conscious?”
Bernard nodded. “He was still conscious when he arrived. Because the steel rod wasn’t removed,
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Chapter 70 Hidden Players
Finished
In the end, Chase would still have to be involved. Everyone got to work immediately, finalizing a plan in record time. Time was critical.
While scrubbing up, Bernard stood beside Chase. The two of them–tall, broad–shouldered, long–limbed–looked like mirror images.
“Never seen you before,” Chase said.
Bernard smiled. “I usually work the night shift. Simon didn’t like me much. He probably saw me as a threat to his position. After he became department head, he reassigned me to nights. It’s been about a year.”
That explained a lot.
Someone with Bernard’s skills would normally have been more visible. If Simon had been manipulating things behind the scenes, then no wonder.
“Mr. Lance mentioned over dinner a few nights ago,” Chase said, “if you’d been appointed head of orthopedics from the start, none of that mess would’ve happened. He really trusts your abilities. I just didn’t expect our first surgery together would be something this risky.”
Bernard held up his hands, smiling. “Madam Wendy’s the one who brought me to Cloud Hospital. I’ve been here five years, much longer than you–but clearly not as capable.”
Chase blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected Bernard to be one of Wendy’s people.
“You’re saying—”
They had finished scrubbing up. Otherwise, Bernard would’ve shaken Chase’s hand right there.
“I was scouted while I was still in medical school,” Bernard explained. “Sent here by Madam Wendy to intern. I’ve been working my way up ever since. Cloud Hospital has had her people embedded for years–even before she invested officially. You’re not the only one she placed here. Just didn’t expect her to sneak her husband in too.”
More nurses came in to scrub, and Chase snapped back to focus, walking toward the operating room alongside Bernard.
“You mean,” Chase said slowly, “before Wendy even invested, she had already planted people inside?”
Bernard nodded. “There’s a lot I can’t say. We just follow orders. Oh, and I’ve already informed Madam Wendy–the accident today is connected to the Harrison family.”
Chase frowned slightly.
He had arrived late and hadn’t gotten a full briefing yet. From the nurses‘ chatter, he had gathered that the patient was a celebrity–someone who had fallen during a live performance and been impaled.
Chapter 70 Hidden Players
The surgery started at five p.m. and dragged into the night. It would last over ten hours.
Every department stood on high alert.
Finished
Chase’s part of the operation was scheduled later, so for now, he changed into his scrubs and waited in the observation room, watching through the glass.
First up was orthopedics, opening the chest cavity and locating the injuries.
Even through the glass, Chase could see Bernard’s precision. His movements were sharp, clean, and strong–the kind of skill that set true surgeons apart.
“Way better than Simon,” Chase murmured to Blanc, who was standing beside him. “His hands don’t shake at all, and the positioning is perfect.”
Blanc nodded. “Man, I wonder how long it’ll take before I’m that good. But I guess… me and bone saws just aren’t meant to be.”
“Your mentor will recommend a department when the time comes,” Chase said. “If not, I’ll help you.”
Blanc leaned closer to the window. “This guy looks kinda familiar. Good–looking, too. Almost like a celebrity.”
