Chapter 452

Scarlett exhaled silently as Evelyn withdrew her hand.

No one understood Evelyn's capabilities better than her. That night in the warehouse, she'd witnessed how this woman stopped her bleeding wounds with just a few silver needles. Not to mention the incident with Theodore and Ruby, which left her both terrified and resentful.

Her refusal was simple—she couldn't let Evelyn steal the spotlight in front of Sebastian again.

"That won't be necessary." Scarlett blocked the hospital room door. "Grandmother's condition is unique. It's better to wait for a professional doctor."

Evelyn shrugged indifferently, exchanging a glance with Sebastian as she turned.

Hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from the end of the corridor.

A man in a white coat strode toward them, his name tag glinting under the lights—Dr. Neil Harrison.

"Where's the patient?" His tone was arrogant, his sweeping gaze dripping with impatience.

Scarlett hurried forward. "Dr. Harrison, this way, please."

He stopped abruptly, pointing at Evelyn and Sebastian. "Clear the area. My rule—no outsiders during consultations."

Scarlett hesitated. "This is Mr. Valdemar, CEO of Valdemar Group—"

"I don't care who he is!" Neil cut her off. "Either follow my rules, or I walk right now."

He leaned against the wall, hands in pockets. Everyone in the industry knew his temper. Countless wealthy clients begged for his services. His presence today was already a favor to the Galatea family.

Scarlett bit her lip. "Miss Roland, would you mind—"

"Understood." Evelyn chuckled softly, her fingers tapping lightly against the jade bracelet on her wrist. "Sebastian, let's not interfere with the doctor's work."

As she turned, she heard Scarlett's deliberately softened voice. "Mr. Valdemar, would you mind waiting in the lounge?"

The operating room light turned red.

On the corridor bench, Evelyn toyed with her phone as an encrypted message flashed across the screen.

"This Dr. Harrison has quite the reputation," Sebastian remarked suddenly.

"Indeed." Evelyn didn't look up. "Published in The Lancet three years ago. Specializes in geriatric cardiovascular diseases."

Scarlett approached with two coffees. "My apologies. Dr. Harrison is an internationally renowned expert. His temper is... challenging."

"Understandable." Evelyn accepted the coffee, then asked abruptly, "How did you secure his services, Miss Galatea?"

"I called in several favors." A flicker of pride crossed Scarlett's face. "He was attending a conference in A City. I paid double his usual fee."

Evelyn took a sip, her eyes glinting with quiet mockery.

Neil's skills were undeniable, but his methods were rigidly conventional. And Madeline Galatea's condition... was far from straightforward.

The operating room doors burst open. A nurse rushed out in panic.

"Family! The patient is experiencing ventricular fibrillation!"

Scarlett's coffee cup shattered on the floor.