“Stay away from Abigail Bernstein,” he growled at Harvey. “She’s Mr. Althoff’s wife.”
With that, he returned to Diarmuid, wiping his mouth as he explained, “I shouldn’t have done that, but I just can’t stand him being smug.”
Diarmuid said nothing, since Stan was standing up for him.
They headed straight through the back door and went looking for Abigail.
She was drafting the surgical procedure as Stephen had told her to, and was absorbed in her computer as she worked.
As such, she did not notice anyone at the door and only saw Diarmuid when he arrived before her table.*
“W–Why are you here?” She quickly flashed a smile even as she stood up in surprise. “Picking me up after work?”
“I want you to come with me overseas for a while,” Diarmuid said directly.
He had actually come to tell her that he would be leaving for a while, and that she should stay with Tommy since it would be inconvenient bringing a baby along.
It was going to be a short trip anyway, but after learning that Harvey’s mother was in this hospital and seeing Harvey hug her, Diarmuid wanted her to go with him.
However, Abigail had not been working as a doctor for over a year, and just resumed her profession for days. Moreover, her department lacked manpower.
“Is this important?” she asked, not keen on taking time off. “I’m busy, and I might not be able to apply for time off anyway. Also, I just got this job, and I don’t want to leave a bad impression-
Diarmuid suddenly cut her short. “I’ve told you before: I can get you a job at any hospital.”
Abigail was irked by that attitude–the attitude as if he could get anything he wanted with his authority.
“I have my own ideals, Diarmuid, and not everything is about money or authority. Is that all there is in your world?“
Diarmuid stared fixedly at Abigail for two seconds before turning to leave without a word.
Stan shot her a look too, thinking that she really did not know what was good for her.
Even Abigail was taken aback.
Was she being too harsh?
She gave chase without thinking, since she did not want to fight with Diarmuid, only to run into Stephen. “Abigail? Have you finished the surgical plan?”
Abigail was left in a dilemma, just as Stephen continued, “The patient has consented to the surgery. Call admin to see if they have a free OR.”
Abigail watched as Diarmuid strode off in the distance, and decided to leave an explanation for when she got home.
“Alright, I’ll ask,” she said with a nod.
It just so happened that there was an unoccupied operating room, and Stephen quickly arranged for Harvey’s mother to be sent there.
As Abigail arrived, Harvey stopped her. “Please save her.”
“You can count on Dr. Carr,” Abigail replied.
She certainly did, especially with him presiding over the surgery.
That was when she noticed something. “Wait, what happened to your face?”
He was just fine when she saw him just now.
Stan grumbled, “A dog bit me.”
Abigail was speechless. It was clear that someone hit him, and he was saying that a dog did it?
He did not even pay attention to his lie…
Still, she had no time to care. “I’m going in now.”
She scrubbed up and entered the operating room, where the nurses had already sedated Rosa.
Abigail quickly proceeded to pre–surgery preparations and checked various equipment before the surgery again.
However, they had just opened Rosa’s thorax when Stephen’s hand began to shake.
He was not having stage fright, but he had essential tremor–he had constantly kept up with treatment, but this was the first time he had an episode in surgery.
“Are you alright, chief?” Abigail was worried when she saw it.
Stephen turned toward her. “Take the scalpel.”
“Me?”
“Yeah,” he said. “Don’t worry. I’m right beside you.”
Abigail nodded–it was a rare practical lesson, so she calmly said, “I will do my best.”
She was confident since Stephen was there anyway, and moved up to take the scalpel.
She had experience with surgery anyway, but just had not performed heart surgery yet.
Still, she worked with focus and composure, and Stephen never said a word throughout the entire process because she had done very well.
Eventually, the procedure was completed without a hitch, with Rosa being sewn back up and wheeled to an observation unit.
Stephen then nodded at Abigail. “You have talent.”
“You’ve taught me well,” Abigail replied.
Stephen smiled but said nothing–however, he had decided that she would be his apprentice now.
If his condition could not be treated, there was a chance that he could not perform surgeries at all. Even if it was a close shave this time since Abigail was here to take over, that might not be the case this time.
“May I leave work early today?” Abigail asked, intending to explain herself to Diarmuid soon.
“Sure,” Stephen said, being more agreeable today. “Don’t make this a habit.”
“Yeah,” Abigail said happily, and quickly packed her things before leaving the hospital.
On the way home, she got a call from Ricky. “Abigail, remember the woman you asked me to investigate? I’ve got something.”
Ricky then quickly asked, “Should I come to you? Or are you free right now?”
Abigail hesitated for a moment. “Where are you right now? I’ll come to you.”
“I’m in my office, but I’ll head home soon. See you there?”
“Okay,” Abigail replied, and told Jimmy the chauffeur, “Head to Bernstein Mansion–we’re not going home just yet.”
She then stared at her phone, hesitating for a moment before calling home.
It was Mrs. Watson who answered.
“Is Diarmuid there? Pass the phone to him if he is… Also, is Tommy being a good boy?”
“Yes, Tommy has been good… But as for Mr. Althoff, he said he’s leaving the country for a while, and told me to pack his things earlier. Didn’t he tell you?”
Abigail hung her head as she remembered what Diarmuid said. “He did, but I didn’t know that he was leaving today. Did he say when he’s coming back?”
“I’m afraid not,” Mrs. Watson replied.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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