Chapter 10 Morning Diagnosis

Anna opened the door to find William already dressed, waiting silently in the hallway.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Breakfast," he replied tersely. "Downstairs."

"Now?" Anna glanced at the still-dark sky outside her window, momentarily lost in thought.

They had barely taken their seats when servants brought the food to the table.

Anna pondered how strange the Sterling family's habits were. Breakfast at four in the morning?

That would mean William must start working at five.

No wonder he dominated Brighton Harbor's business landscape. His dedication was something she couldn't match.

Anna silently resolved that starting today, she would not only work harder herself but would also encourage those around her to do the same, beginning with Lucy.

Back at home, Lucy sneezed. "Someone must be talking about me."

Louie Fox gave her a cold look. "Serves you right!"

His words immediately ignited Lucy's anger. "Listen, Louie, is this how you treat me just because I didn't tell you Anna's whereabouts?"

Louie angrily slammed his phone on the table. "Others might not know, but you're well aware of my feelings for Anna. All these years, she's been the only one in my heart! If you still consider me your brother, you should tell me where Anna is!"

"Dream on, Louie. You're not good enough for Anna. Go back to your admirers."

"Who wants those pursuers? That's just for show. Anna is my true love!"

As they argued, Louie's phone rang.

He answered, and a sweet, seductive voice came through. "Darling Louie, why aren't you here yet? Today is our first date. Have you forgotten?"

"How could I forget, baby? Wait for me, I'm on my way right now!"

After hanging up, Louie put on his jacket and headed for the door.

"So this is your true love?" Lucy mocked.

"Shut up. I'll deal with you when I get back."

Lucy snorted. "Anna would have to be blind to fall in love with you."

Just then, her phone rang. It was Anna calling.

"Did you find the person?" Anna asked.

Lucy smacked her forehead, having almost forgotten her task.

"I'm going now," she said, then quickly drove to Sterling International Medical Center.

She showed the photo to everyone she met, asking if they recognized this person, but ultimately came back empty-handed.

Lucy called Anna. "Anna, I really can't find her. Everyone says they've never seen this person."

Anna frowned. "Didn't you say someone spotted her here?"

Lucy was also puzzled. "Yes, that person even swore they weren't lying."

"In that case, we need to check the human resources department's records to find all the obstetricians who joined the center in the past three years."

Lucy nodded. "Anna, don't worry, I'll handle it."

Meanwhile, Anna had also arrived at the medical center. As she stepped into the elevator, she heard crying. Looking up, she recognized Ben's father from yesterday.

"Sir, what happened?" she asked.

The man looked up, recognizing Anna who had helped his son the day before. With a pained expression, he explained. "We came to get the test results today, and the doctor said Ben has a tumor in his brain. He needs surgery."

He wiped away his tears as he spoke.

Anna frowned. "But your child's physical condition isn't suitable for surgery."

Hearing this, Ben's father panicked.

"What should we do? They've already taken him to the operating room."

Anna hurriedly walked back to the elevator. "Which operating room? Take me there quickly!"

"Of course! Please follow me."

Ben's father rushed with Anna to the fifth floor. When they reached the operating room, a nurse was about to enter.

"Stop! You must stop the surgery. This child cannot undergo surgery," Anna called out.

The nurse looked up, confused. "Who are you? Why can't we proceed with the surgery?"

Anna spoke firmly, "Yesterday I performed auscultation and found problems with the child's cardiopulmonary function. If you operate rashly, his life will be at risk!"

The nurse looked at Anna skeptically, thinking, 'This woman thinks she's some kind of miracle doctor.'

She reassured Ben's father. "Today's surgery is being performed by our attending physician, don't worry."

Just then, a male doctor in a white coat hurried past with several assistants. Anna quickly called out to him. "Are you today's surgeon? This child has heart and lung problems, please postpone the surgery."

The doctor looked at her, puzzled. "Who are you?"

Anna grew anxious. "Who I am isn't important. What matters is that this child's body cannot withstand surgery right now."

The doctor smiled condescendingly. "Please calm down. I am the attending physician here and have performed countless surgeries. I've carefully examined Ben's condition. There's nothing to worry about."

The doctor's assistants tried to reassure Anna, while the doctor seized the opportunity to enter the operating room.

Anna could only watch helplessly as the operating room light came on.

She suddenly remembered Richard and took out his card to dial his number.

"Dr. Thompson, are you at the medical center? I'm on the fifth floor by the operating room. It's urgent, can you come right away?"

"I'll be right there," he answered, then hung up.

Richard rose and walked toward the door, but his assistant intercepted him at the office entrance. "Dr. Thompson, your long-awaited appointment is almost here."

Richard dismissed this with a wave of his hand. "When they arrive, handle it first. I need to see a friend."

He hurried to the fifth floor.

Upon seeing him, Anna quickly explained her findings in detail.

Richard interrupted her midway. "You determined his cardiopulmonary insufficiency just by listening to his chest?"

Anna nodded. "Yes, I heard some very distinctive abnormalities. I couldn't be wrong."

Richard's expression grew serious, and he made an immediate decision. "Come with me, change into proper attire and let's take a look."

As they began to move, Ben's father bowed deeply to Anna. "Miss, please save my child!"

"Don't worry, your child will be fine." Anna helped Richard up while reassuring him, then followed Richard to the sterilization room to change clothes.

Inside the operating room, a life-and-death situation was unfolding.

"Quick, prepare the blood supply!"

"Where's the adrenaline? Hurry!"

Just then, the monitor suddenly emitted a sharp alarm, and a nurse called out. "Cardiac arrhythmia! Doctor, this child has heart and lung problems!"

The male doctor turned pale. "Impossible, the preoperative examination showed no issues."

"Doctor, the child's blood pressure is dropping rapidly. What should we do?"

At this critical moment, Anna and Richard pushed open the door.

Anna heard the monitor's ominous tone and her expression changed dramatically. "This is bad."