?<strong>Chapter 731:</strong>


    Lucas’ expression remained cold, his thoughts drifting to the three red welts he had seen on Belinda’s neck. The sight of them had unsettled him deeply, his brows furrowing in displeasure. He could only hope the marks wouldn’t leave permanent scars.


    He had already instructed Gordon the previous night to find the world’s most effective scar-removal ointment. Belinda’s neck had to heal perfectly.


    At the Cardiac Surgery Department’s director’s office, a sharp knock broke the silence in Turner’s office.


    “Come in,” Turner called out, ncing up from his desk.


    The door creaked open, and a middle-aged woman, likely in her early forties, stepped inside.


    Kylee was the first to speak. “Can we help you?” she asked.


    The woman approached the desk and settled into the chair across from Turner. Her expression was both anxious and determined. “Dr. Ortiz, hello. I’m a rtive of the patient in bed 44. My father’s attending physician is Dr. Wright, but I’d like to request a transfer under your care.”


    Turner exchanged a quick nce with Kylee, both of their brows knitting slightly.


    “Ah, so your father is Dr. Wright’s patient,” Turner said. He paused briefly before adding, “Since your father is under Dr. Wright’s care, it’s best to let her handle the treatment. She is a skilled physician.”


    The middle-aged woman’s expression soured, her lips curling in thinly veiled disdain. “Her skills are nothingpared to yours, Dr. Ortiz! She’s far inferior.” Her tone softened as desperation seeped into her words. “Please, Dr. Ortiz, I’m begging you. Allow my father to be transferred under your care.”


    “There’s truly no way around this,” Turner dered, his voice tinged with frustration. “As the director of the department, how could I possibly justify appropriating a patient from one of my own physicians? If news were to get out, I’d be the subject of ridicule.” He exhaled sharply, looking resigned.


    The middle-aged woman, her eyes shing with determination, immediately retorted, “But wasn’t it you who approached Toby’s family and inquired if they would consider transferring him to your care? If he could be transferred so easily, why can’t my father?”


    Upon hearing her words, Turner couldn’t help but let out a profound sigh. “Ah, regarding that particr situation… I deeply regret my actions back then. I acted impulsively, and I never anticipated it would lead to suchplications for Dr. Wright. Now, I truly can’t engage in something like that again.”


    The middle-aged woman was relentless, her voice rising with urgency as she implored, “Dr. Ortiz, please make one final exception. Just this one!”


    At that moment, Kylee, standing beside Turner, feltpelled to speak up. “Dr. Ortiz, considering her sincerity and desperation, could you possibly help her? I’ve heard that her father is about to undergo surgery soon. But you know how it is with Dr. Wright’s abilities… Her first surgery nearly failed. That’s quite rming. And the patient is over seventy years old! The risks associated with surgery at this age are already higherpared to younger patients. If you were to undertake her father’s operation, the probability of sess would be exceedingly high!”


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