Chapter 1721

Karina barely had time to say anything before Dr. Wilfred turned and left.
Although he was the director, Karina had only seen him during meetings and never this close before. Today was the first time.
He wore a surgical gown, mask, and cap. Though his face was obscured, his deep, dark eyes held a calm detachment-cool, collected, and unwavering. Throughout the operation, no matter how critical things got, he never showed a hint of panic. His composure and skill radiated excellence.
Karina exhaled, her chest tightening slightly. She suddenly understood why so many nurses, interns, and even female doctors in the hospital were infatuated with him.
She stretched her stiff muscles and left the operating room. But just as she returned to her office, a colleague showed up at her door.
Judging by the badge on her chest, Karina quickly recognized her as an intern.
Karina maintained her professional courtesy. “Hello. What can I help you with?”
The intern, Sera Quinn, didn’t waste time. “Dr. Norman, you were just in surgery with the director, weren’t you?”
Karina raised an eyebrow, puzzled. “Is there a problem?”
Sera held up her fingers, signaling a number. “Dr. Norman, do me a favor! Get me the director’s phone number and introduce me to him. Or, better yet, sneak a few photos of him for me. I’ll pay you this much.” Her eyes gleamed with desperation and hope.
Karina couldn’t help but laugh. “Even if I handed over his number and vouched for you, you’d still be a stranger to him. Do you really think he’d answer your call?”
She paused, her tone sharpening. “And do you even realize that secretly taking photos of someone is illegal?”
“You’re offering me pocket change for a favor that big. Are you out of your mind, or do you think I am?”
Her bluntness left Sera scrambling. “No, no, Dr. Norman! I’ll raise it. Five thousand… no, fifty thousand! I’m serious.”
Fifty thousand to get his contact or a photo? This girl was clearly out of her mind.
Karina shook her head. “I already told you-he won’t accept. And where are you even getting this money? How much do you make in a month?”
“For him, I’d spend fifty thousand without hesitation! Dr. Norman, if you help me, I’ll make it worth your while. I promise.”
Sera grabbed Karina’s hand, her desperation unmistakable.
Karina stared at her, momentarily speechless. Fifty thousand for something like this? Completely insane.
But before Karina could respond, her phone rang sharply.
“Karina,” a shaky voice came
through the line. “Kieran tried to hurt himself again. I didn’t want to bother you. L-even thought about just ending it all with him. But… I can’t do this alone anymore…”
Karina’s scalp prickled. “Mom, don’t panic. I’m coming home right now.”
“Okay, okay. Just hurry, please.”
Her mother’s choked sobs rang in her ears as the call ended.
Karina didn’t have time to deal with anything else. She grabbed her phone, ready to leave, but Sera was still blocking her way.
“Dr. Norman, I heard about the surgery you just finished. The director’s definitely going to reward you for this.”
She pressed on eagerly. “Why not
use the opportunity to ask for this favor? Il pay you a hundred thousand if you help me connect with him.”
The desperation in Sera’s voice was almost startling. She refused to budge, determined to get what she wanted.
A hundred thousand was a lot of money for Karina. Sometimes, she quietly took private cases on the side, desperate for extra income-money she used to try and make up for her past guilt.