chapter 12 Neither owes each other

These words struck Theodore Zhao like a slap across the face.
Theodore was unfazed, but his sister-in-law, known for her fiery temper, was visibly upset. If not for her husband holding her back, she surely would have erupted into an argument.
Luca took a step back, assuring, "Rest assured, I'll help with the surgery for Ava's sake. But I advise you to stay away from her in the future!"
After speaking, Luca put an arm around Ava's shoulder, "I'll assign someone else to this ward. You need not come here anymore, let's go."
Ava bit her lip, holding back her words with great effort.
Years of affection aren't easily let go, but with Theodore unable to win over his family, what good was their deep love?
Deciding to cut ties, she resolved to have nothing more to do with him.
Esme spoke up, her voice tinged with sarcasm, "Well, what a perfect match, both handsome and beautiful!"
Her words sounded like praise, but the undertone of sarcasm was unmistakable.
Ava, unable to ignore such remarks, retorted, "What are you implying, Miss Su?"
Regardless of Luca's character, he was her chosen partner, and she wouldn't allow anyone to criticize him, especially not Esme, who seemed somewhat hostile.
Esme shrugged, "Nothing much. I just heard about your past with Theodore and thought he was out of your league. Now I really feel sorry for him."
Her plain statement, devoid of pretense, was no less cutting.
It felt like mockery to Ava.
Ava, indignant, stepped forward, "Clarify your words!"
Luca chimed in, "Right, if you don't clarify, this isn't over! Theodore begged me to operate, didn’t he? I might need to reconsider now!"
Esme sighed, "Theodore, despite his flaws, is far better than the sleazy man by your side. Since you have such poor taste, I naturally feel sorry for him."
Ava was taken aback, but Luca jumped in, as if his tail had been stepped on, "Who are you calling sleazy?"
Esme, unfazed, replied, "You, of course! Theodore also likes beautiful women, but at least he's straightforward."
"As for you, you've been ogling me since the beginning. If you looked openly, that’d be one thing, but you're sneaky and creepy, making me sick!"
Ava, turning to see a guilty glance from Luca, felt repulsed.
Enraged, Luca shouted, "Fine, forget about me operating! Get out of the hospital now!"
Esme, tauntingly, "Ah, showing your true colors, aren't you?"
Luca, unable to outtalk her, threatened, "Leave or believe me, no hospital in Tian Zhou will take you in!"
Esme scoffed, "Such a minor neurosurgery director, and you think you're someone important?"
Luca, laughed in anger, "Alright then, show me what you're capable of!"
The atmosphere froze at that moment.
The sister-in-law, though satisfied, was also anxious. If they really offended Luca, what would happen to the surgery? They couldn't get the already paid surgery fees back.
Theodore wasn't good at arguing, and since Esme was defending him, he preferred to stay quiet.
Esme reassured, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. Neurosurgery's top surgeon isn't this guy. If I'm not mistaken, Professor Huang is the real expert."
Luca was momentarily startled, "You mean President Huang?"
Before Esme could respond, he scoffed, "President Huang is renowned in this field for decades, far beyond me. But you think you can request him? Who do you think you are?"
He grew more arrogant, "Who's the surgery for? This security guard's mother? What a joke! Do you think you're someone special?"
Luca was initially concerned, but mentioning President Huang eased his worries.
President Huang, due to health reasons, rarely operates himself, mostly serving as a guest professor at Tian Zhou University, leading medical research with a team of Ph.D. students.
As a medical authority, the chances of him personally operating were slim, especially not for the likes of those present.
A top leader from the city had once personally requested President Huang's services and was politely declined.
To engage him, one needed more than money and influence; status was key.
Coincidentally, during their argument,
A group emerged from the elevator, led by an elderly man with greying hair, engaged in a discussion as they walked.
Luca straightened his clothes, putting on a smile, and hurriedly greeted, "President Huang!"
President Huang glanced at Luca, acknowledged him with a nod, and continued towards his office without pausing.
Suddenly, a voice called out, "Uncle Huang!"
Luca was dumbfounded. Who was this woman who knew President Huang?
As his inquisitive gaze turned to President Huang, the elder warmly asked, "Are you from the Su family?"
"Yes, Uncle Huang,"
Esme replied, stepping forward.
As they engaged in pleasant conversation, Luca stood frozen.
Esme wasn't lying; she truly knew President Huang!
How to proceed now?
If she complained about him, he'd be in deep trouble.
Though only an honorary president at Tian Zhou Hospital, Professor Huang's standing in the medical community meant even a mild criticism from him could spell disaster for Luca.
But before he could speak, Esme had already brought up the surgery.
In mere moments, Luca's back was soaked with cold sweat.
Fearing the worst, he signaled Ava to reconcile with Esme privately.
But before he could speak, Esme had already brought up the surgery.
Luca thought, 'This is bad,' as his heart started to race.
Ava stood to the side, somewhat disdainful of Luca's signal. He wanted her to bow down to that woman for his career?
Compared to her inner turmoil, she was more curious about Esme's identity.
Who was this woman, chatting so easily with President Huang?
If she was really that outstanding, why would she admit to being Theodore's girlfriend?
Could it be, as she had just said, that she had misjudged the situation?
Amidst varied gazes, Professor Huang helplessly shook his head, "Girl, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed.
The sister-in-law's reaction was the most pronounced. Having offended Luca, Professor Huang had become their last hope.
To their surprise, they were politely declined.
Luca felt a secret delight. It seemed this woman was merely an acquaintance of President Huang.
Thinking about it, he almost laughed. His worries were needless; getting President Huang to operate personally was not so easy!
Esme pouted, not concerned about losing face, but genuinely wanting to help Theodore.
She coquettishly said, "Uncle Huang, I know you're busy, but can't you spare a little time?"
"It's not a lack of time, but energy. I have a crucial research project at the end of the month. I need to be in my best state. Not just for you, but I've postponed all surgeries for the next month!"
Professor Huang considered for a moment, then added, "If your friend isn't in a hurry, wait until next month. I might have time then."
Esme shook her head. She had heard from the sister-in-law that the best time for the patient's surgery was within a week; too early or too late was not advisable.
President Huang turned to Luca, "Oh, Yes. Luca's got some skills. Is his schedule full too?"
Luca hurried forward, ingratiatingly responding, "President Huang, since you've spoken, even if my schedule is full, I'll make time!"
Esme was troubled. Her concern, like Theodore's, was not about Luca's medical skills, but his character.
Luca, a typical villain, might not be trusted not to sabotage the surgery.
But there seemed to be no better option.
Setting aside the risks of transferring hospitals, Tian Zhou Hospital's neurosurgery department was among the top in the country. Where else could they take the patient?
Esme was at a loss, leaving the final decision up to Theodore.
Instinctively, everyone's gaze fell on Theodore.
Luca's smugness became more apparent, thinking, "After all the begging, they still had to turn to me, didn't they?"
Theodore, don't you refuse to ask for my help? Let's see if you can keep your mouth shut now!
Feeling the eyes around him, the always silent Theodore slowly lifted his head, his smile a mix of helplessness and melancholy.
Facing gunfire and even sacrificing his life had never made him flinch, but this intricate web of human relationships left him constantly out of place.
Esme, inexplicably, felt a pang of heartache.
Ava also wanted to say something.
Just then, a figure hurried forward.
"Are you Theodore?"
President Huang approached, taking a while to recognize Theodore.
Everyone was shocked, especially Luca, whose face was a picture of disbelief and shock.
It was one thing for Esme to know President Huang, given her special status, clearly not an ordinary person.
But how could Theodore, a mere security guard, know President Huang?
President Huang wasn't just any old men on the street.
But the honorary President of Tian Zhou Hospital, a visiting professor at Tian Zhou University, a renowned medical expert nationally, and a top scientist enjoying special allowances!
It was unbelievable that such a figure would actively greet a security guard!
And seeing President Huang's excited demeanor, as if reuniting with a long-lost relative, missing this opportunity would be a lifelong regret!
Yet Theodore was not as excited as one might expect, merely scratching his head and smiling, "Professor Huang."
President Huang, full of doubts but not voicing them, especially considering the recent events, hurriedly asked, "The patient that girl mentioned, what's your relation to her?"
"She's my mother."
Professor Huang pondered for a long time, then gestured to an assistant behind him.
In a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, he said steadily, "Notify everyone, in half an hour, we will hold an emergency medical conference. This surgery, I will perform personally!"
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