Chapter 11 Remove Your Pants

"Administer epinephrine now!" Anna rushed to the operating table, her voice breaking the tense atmosphere in the surgery room. She extended her hand. "Scalpel!"

Everyone in the operating room froze, startled by the woman who had suddenly burst in. All eyes turned to the lead surgeon.

The doctor recognized the woman who had been waiting outside earlier and paled. He noticed Richard standing behind her and a flash of regret crossed his face.

"Listen to her!" Richard commanded.

With his order, the room fell silent except for the ticking of instruments.

The surgery continued for three hours, and they successfully pulled Ben back from the brink of death.

As the vital signs on the monitor gradually stabilized to normal ranges, everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief.

Richard had been observing the entire process.

Anna removed her mask. "Dr. Thompson."

Richard patted Anna's shoulder, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "No words are necessary. Thank you so much for today. You not only saved a child's life but also protected our hospital's reputation."

Richard looked extremely pleased. His judgment about Anna had proven correct.

"Anna, I have a request, if you'd consider it."

Anna nodded.

"You know, Mr. Sterling's condition has been troubling his family. The hospital has assembled a special medical team for him, but there hasn't been significant progress over the years. I'd like to formally invite you to join the medical team."

Anna thought for a moment. She needed to find Marigold and needed regular access to this hospital. After brief consideration, she agreed.

Richard was delighted. He led her to an examination room. "Please rest here. Mr. Sterling will arrive shortly, and we can examine him together."

"Alright," Anna replied.

William arrived at exactly three o'clock.

As he exited the elevator, he saw Richard already waiting for him in the hallway.

"Mr. Sterling," Richard greeted with a smile, "I've invited a medical expert today."

A nurse helped William transfer from his wheelchair to the examination bed. Just as he settled in, footsteps echoed in the room.

William turned, surprised to find Anna standing there.

"Take off your pants."

William instinctively clutched his pants, his voice cold. "Anna, what exactly are you doing?"

Anna smiled as she pulled down her mask. "Examining you, of course."

William turned to Richard in anger. "Didn't you call to tell me you'd found an expert? Why is she here?"

Richard smacked his forehead. "Mr. Sterling, I forgot to introduce—Anna is the expert I mentioned. Please cooperate with the examination."

Hearing this, William immediately sat up, his expression ice-cold. "Dr. Thompson, if you consider just anyone an expert, you must be crazy."

Richard's face turned bright red with embarrassment. "Mr. Sterling, when you collapsed last time, Anna saved you. Perhaps you could let her examine you?"

William snorted, showing no sign of compliance.

Seeing Richard's predicament, Anna stepped forward. "William, your resistance makes me wonder if you have something to hide."

William's gaze hardened. "Shut up."

"Such a strong reaction—perhaps I've hit a nerve."

Just as William prepared to retort, Anna cut in first. "Let's make a bet."

William's voice remained cold. "What kind of bet?"

"I bet I can diagnose the cause of your condition."

William scoffed, not taking her words seriously.

"My condition is well-known. Why would I need your diagnosis?"

Anna shook her head. "Your paralysis was caused by a car accident, but when I examined you before, I discovered that your inability to walk isn't entirely due to the accident."

Hearing this, Richard quickly interjected. "Mr. Sterling, please let her examine you. Earlier today, Anna saved a child's life in an emergency situation. Without her intervention, our hospital might not only have faced reputation damage but possibly even a death."

This reminded William of witnessing Anna revive a child with acupressure techniques.

After consideration, he finally agreed.

Seeing him lie down, Richard nodded to Anna encouragingly. "Anna, you may begin."

Anna nodded. "Remove his pants."

William remained silent, allowing the nurse to slowly pull down his pants.

As his black boxer briefs and long legs were exposed, William unconsciously gripped the sheet beneath him. He felt a warm finger touch his calf.

Anna noticed the tension in William's leg muscles and gently patted them. "Muscle tone is well-maintained. Clear response to external stimuli."

To this, Richard proudly said, "We have a professional medical team ensuring Mr. Sterling's body remains in optimal condition."

Anna nodded and continued feeling down his leg. She reached for his foot and pressed with her fingers. "Can you feel this?"

William remained silent. Richard shook his head. "Not there."

Anna thought for a moment. "Turn him over."

"Anna!" William's voice was filled with anger.

Anna raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you agree to cooperate?"

William's expression remained cold as he allowed the nurse to turn him over, positioning him face down on the bed.

Anna's hand moved along his lower back, occasionally asking, "Can you feel this?"

William didn't answer, and Richard responded for him. After a good while, Anna finally completed her examination.

She wiped her hands. "This condition is treatable."

Richard looked astonished. "What did you say?"