Chapter 1466
Belinda’s expression darkened, and she didn’t know how to reply to that.
Just then, a deep voice cut through the tension.
“That is enough.”
Elwood stepped forward, his tone measured, his presence commanding. His eyes found Belinda’s, calm but unwavering. “Dr. Wright, we know you have come here out of genuine concern for Barbara. We appreciate that. But my sister has made her choice. That will not change.”
Though his voice remained gentle, it rang with finality.
Belinda knew that no matter what she said now, it would make no difference. So, she sighed inwardly and replied, “Understood. Thank you, Mr. Wright.” With that, she turned and walked away.
But instead of heading back to her office, she went to Caiden’s office.
Caiden showed no surprise at Belinda’s arrival.
“I figured you would come. Take a seat,” he said, motioning to the sofa as he settled onto it himself.
Once they were both seated, Belinda cut to the chase. “Is there any way you can change Mrs. Dury’s mind?”
Caiden sighed softly, his response candid. “Honestly, it’s a tough sell. To Mrs. Dury, Turner’s approach seems like the safer option for her daughter.”
He paused briefly before continuing, “Sure, valve replacement means Barbara would need lifelong anticoagulants, but the procedure itself is less complex with a higher success rate. Your surgical plan, while offering a permanent fix, comes with much greater risks. Even as the renowned star, the top surgeon in the field, you can’t guarantee you’ll successfully complete aortic valve replacement surgery, right?”
“Of course not,” Belinda admitted frankly. “I’m not a magician. No one could make that kind of promise.”
“And that’s exactly the problem!” Caiden said with another sigh. “That’s the key issue here. Mrs. Dury can’t afford to take that gamble. She has already lost her husband; Barbara is all she has left. If something happened to her daughter, she might not survive the loss. This surgery isn’t just about one life; it’s about two. Naturally, she’s leaning toward the safest option. Whether Barbara needs medication forever is a future concern. For now, it’s about keeping her alive. Do you understand what I am saying?”
“I do,” Belinda replied, nodding. “But the bigger issue is… Barbara’s condition is far from stable.”
Caiden’s brow furrowed, his tone growing grave. “What do you mean? Are you talking about the upper limb weakness you brought up in the meeting?”
Belinda nodded solemnly. “Yes. I’m almost certain it’s a sign of further deterioration.”
Caiden trusted Belinda’s judgment; she wasn’t one to make baseless claims.
He lowered his eyes, thinking for a moment before speaking with a serious expression. “Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll visit Barbara’s ward later and speak with Mrs. Dury again. I’ll try to convince her. But…”
He met Belinda’s gaze. “Don’t get your hopes up.”
Belinda nodded. “Alright. I understand. I’ll wait for your update.”