?Chapter 361:


    Once the call ended, Ste slumped against the cold railing, her thoughts racing.


    The whirlwind of bad news left her reeling, struggling to steady her breath.


    “Ms. Gilbert! What a coincidence running into you here.”


    The sudden voice made her flinch. She turned to see Shaun waiting at the stairwell, as impablyposed as ever.


    She steadied herself, smoothing her hair and forcing a polite smile. “Mr. Smith. This is a surprise.”


    He descended thest step, his gaze fixed intently on her, not a flicker of his usual humor in his eyes.


    “I couldn’t help overhearing,” Shaun began, his voice low and measured. “You mentioned needing a top-tier neurosurgeon for an emergency operation. Is that right?”


    A flush of embarrassment crept into Ste’s cheeks—he’d caught more of her conversation than she’d realized. She braced herself to respond, but Shaun cut her off gently. “My apologies for eavesdropping. But as it happens, I know Dr. Wilson Pcios—yes, that Dr. Pcios. If you need help, I might be able to put you in touch, Ms. Gilbert.”


    Wilson Pcios? The neurosurgeon who was practically a legend in his field? For a moment, Ste could only stare at him, barely daring to breathe. Hope red in her chest, sharp and dazzling. “Really?!” she blurted out.


    Shaun’s smile broadened, his tone casual but reassuring. “That’s right. And as it happens, he’s actually vacationing here in Choria at this very moment.” Ste’s face lit up with desperate anticipation. “That’s incredible! Can you please help me get in touch with him? The surgery is urgent—he needs to get to the hospital within the hour.”


    Catching her anxious expression, Shaun’s gaze sparkled with a hint of amusement. “Don’t worry. I’ll call him right now.”


    He stepped aside and quickly dialed a number, slipping into fluent Rhioyodash as he spoke. Within a few minutes, Shaun returned with an easy confidence. “All taken care of. Just send me the hospital’s address—he’ll go straight there, no detours.”


    Relief washed over Ste’s face. She didn’t waste another second, hurrying back to the private room to let Sharon and Lainey know that something urgent hade up and they should enjoy dinner without her.


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    At the hospital, Ste and Shaun arrived to find Wilson already waiting. During the drive over, Shaun had inquired about the patient’s condition from Ste.


    Inside the room, Shaun sped Wilson’s shoulder and stated, “Wilson, I’m counting on you for this. It means a lot to me—and I promise, you’ll be wellpensated for your time.”


    Wilson offered Shaun a reassuring smile before his eyes flicked briefly to Ste, who stood silently at Shaun’s side. After a moment’s polite pause, he turned away and strode toward the doctors clustered near the nurses’ station.


    He began discussing the patient’s status with the team, his voice low and professional. Momentster, the team rolled the patient into surgery; the overhead light above the operating room snapped on in a harsh, unyielding red, marking the start of the operation.


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