Chapter 8
At the operating room door, a tall, striking guy blocked the way.
A mask covered most of his face, showing only his dark, serious eyes.
No one was getting past him.
An angry
crowd faced him, ready to rip him apart.
They’d tried. It didn’t work. They couldn’t even get close to him.
“Move, now! Let Doctor Preston in, or it’ll be too late! Are you trying to kill my sister?” Aria Quinn shouted, tears filling her eyes.
“He’s gonna cut off her leg! You crazy? Your sister’s a dancer! No legs, no dancing!” Adrian fired back, standing firm.
He stood tall like a pine tree, unmoved by a storm.
His sharp brows creased. ‘Where’s Linda?‘ he thought.
With him holding the line, no one was stepping into that OR.
”
But Avery… he was really worried if she could last until Linda got here.
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Joel, in his white coat, gripped the patient’s charts, his handsome face clouded.
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“Get every security guard up here,” he snapped at his assistant. “Throw him out. Can’t handle one punk? You skipped breakfast or what?”
For Avery, Time was life now.
Ten minutes gone already. Any longer, and forget the leg–Avery was finished.
Joel didn’t put up with stupid mistakes.
Adrian smirked, not fazed.
A whole squad of guards wouldn’t be enough for him. Not even a warm–up.
Aria, tears rolling down her face, begged, “Her life’s at stake! Who cares about dancing? Move!
Adrian stayed silent. He hesitated but stayed put.
‘No. I wait for Linda, he thought.
Then he saw her running toward them.
Relief washed over him.
Even disguised, he’d know her anywhere. Mask or not, it didn’t matter.
“Lin-” Adrian started.
“Shh!” Linda interrupted, glancing at Joel’s stormy face, signaling him to hush.
Joel’s sharp tongue doesn’t play, she thought. ‘He was so mean to his colleague just now!‘
Adrian shut his mouth, catching her drift.
Linda didn’t have time for this.
She grabbed Aria, pulling her aside, her voice low and urgent.
“Aria, I can save Avery. Her life and her leg,” Linda said.
“You… who are you?” Aria asked. She’d hardly met Linda before, and now? No idea.
“Doesn’t matter. Want to save your sister? Do what I say,” Linda replied.
Linda gave Aria the quick plan.
Aria looked into Linda’s eyes–clear, steady, full of confidence.
Who even are you? I’m begging you!”
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Chapter 8
This was a risk.
But something made her trust this girl.
More than that, she wanted Avery whole, not losing a leg to live.
Aria pushed through the yelling crowd to Joel.
“Doctor Preston, I’m sorry, but I’ve found someone better to treat Avery. Please have your team step back,” Aria said.
Joel’s brow furrowed. “Who?” he asked.
His sharp eyes landed on the girl standing to the side, half–turned away.
Linda wore a soft pink hoodie with cat–ear details–cute, a gift from Eleanor.
Her slim frame made the hoodie look big, like she was a high school kid, maybe sixteen or seventeen at most.
“Her?” Joel asked, pointing at Linda.
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