?Chapter 1469:


    After a brief moment of hesitation, she decided to approach. Standing behind the figure, she softly called, “Ms. Dury.”


    Barbara’s posture tensed, but she didn’t turn to face Belinda.


    “Taking a moment to clear your head?” Belinda asked gently.


    Barbara’s gaze remained fixed on the view beyond the window, her eyes unblinking.


    When no response came, Belinda didn’t push. Instead, she quietly stood beside Barbara.


    After roughly three minutes, Barbara finally nced over, her brow creasing. “Why are you standing here with me?”


    Belinda arched an eyebrow. “With you?” she said with a soft chuckle. “Not quite.”


    “I just felt like soaking in the scenery.”


    Barbara’s lips pressed into a line; she was clearly unconvinced.


    After a long silence, as if stirred by some inner turmoil, Barbara murmured, “You know, I actually… really love sports. I love running, especially marathons.” Belinda’s eyes softened at the confession.


    “But now? I can barely handle a slow walk. After the surgery, I’ll be on meds for life.” A bitter chuckle escaped Barbara.


    Turning to face Belinda directly, she added, “Dr. Wright, I know you followed me and tried to persuade my mom to pick you not to outshine the director of your department, but because you truly care about me. But my mom… I understand her, too. She’s just terrified of losing me.”


    Her voice wavered, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “So, please, Dr. Wright, just let the matter go.”


    With that, Barbara walked away.


    Watching her tall, fragile frame recede, Belinda felt a wave of empathy for her. Lost in her thoughts, she was jolted back to reality by the sudden ring of her phone.


    ncing at the screen, she saw Caiden’s name.


    With a brief purse of her lips, she tapped to answer.


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    “How did it go?” Belinda was the first to ask, her voiceced with anticipation. Caiden let out a breath, his shoulders heavy with the weight of disappointment.


    “I did my best,” he replied.


    The message behind his words was clear—the attempt had failed.


    He continued, a trace of regret in his tone, “Mrs. Dury was resolute in her decision. No matter what I said, she wouldn’t budge. I couldn’t sway her.”


    Belinda fell silent, exhaling a long, weary sigh.


    After a thoughtful pause, she offered an idea. “What if… you asked Mrs. Dury whether she’d allow Star to perform the surgery on Barbara?”


    Caiden blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. “You mean… You want to perform the surgery on Barbara as Star?” he asked, surprised.


    Belinda nodded slowly, her expression resolute. “Yes. That way, Mrs. Dury would feel reassured, wouldn’t she?”


    The decision had crystallized in her mind after speaking with Barbara earlier. Since Nni couldn’t bring herself to trust Belinda, perhaps she would ce her faith in Star, the world-renowned surgical talent.


    Caiden didn’t hesitate. “Alright.” But then, he paused, his expression turning cautious. “Still, it might be better to wait until tomorrow morning. If I approach her again tonight, she’ll likely just turn me down.”


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