Chapter 114: The Failed Surgery
Outside the operating room, Herman was pacing anxiously, his expression tense.
Brandon was his father-in-law and benefactor. The position Herman held today was largely due to Brandon's efforts. In Herman's mind, Brandon was like his biological father.
Brandon's strange illness had started last year. During this time, they had visited many hospitals, but none could cure him, and his condition was worsening. Herman was almost hopeless.
Moreover, Brandon had come to Lindwood City for treatment without informing his family. If anything happened to Brandon, Herman would be devastated and unable to explain it to the family.
"Mr. Watson, you don't need to worry. Dr. Baker is our hospital's best doctor and has a targeted treatment plan. He will definitely be able to cure him," the hospital director, Dominic, said to comfort Herman.
He had absolute confidence in Eugene. Since the establishment of Lindwood City Hospital, they had never signed such an outstanding doctor. As long as Eugene could cure Brandon, Dominic could form a bond with Herman's family.
Hearing Dominic's words, Herman's tension eased a bit. He nodded and said, "I hope so."
Inside the operating room, it was a different scene. Eugene was very nervous at first, but gradually, he began to get into the groove.
The surgery began.
Time passed slowly. Two hours had already gone by in the operating room. Eugene had completed more than half of the procedure, and everything was going according to plan. He started to feel more relaxed.
Jennifer watched him from the side, thinking that although Eugene was arrogant, he was indeed skilled. No wonder he was a graduate of Simbara University.
At the same time, she thought of James. Although James was improving, he was still far behind Eugene.
If only James were that excellent, she thought wistfully.
However, at that moment, something unexpected happened.
Brandon, whose heartbeat had been stable, suddenly began to tremble violently. The wound tore open, and blood gushed out.
This sudden change shocked everyone in the operating room.
Eugene shuddered and immediately panicked.
Jennifer was also stunned. 'Wasn't the surgery almost finished? How could this happen suddenly?’
The two young assistants panicked and said, "Dr. Baker, what should we do?"
"Oh no, the patient's heartbeat is abnormal. It's beating so fast!" one exclaimed.
Eugene looked over and indeed saw the heart rate monitor going wild, far exceeding the normal frequency.
"Quick, give the patient a sedative," Eugene said hurriedly.
Jennifer frowned and said, "Dr. Baker, in the patient's current condition, isn't it bad to give a sedative?"
"Dr. Johnson! Are you questioning my expertise?" In his panic, Eugene revealed his true nature, showing his displeasure towards Jennifer. He didn't realize that this behavior erased the goodwill Jennifer had built up for him.
The two assistants were a bit hesitant. Eugene, displeased, said, "Didn't you hear me? Quickly give the patient a sedative."
"Yes, Dr. Baker." The assistants followed the order and injected Brandon with a sedative. Soon, Brandon's heartbeat slowly returned to normal.
Eugene breathed a sigh of relief, had the assistant wipe the sweat from his forehead, and said to Jennifer, "See, in this situation, you need to give the patient a sedative immediately."
Jennifer remained silent, not saying a word.
However, at that moment, another unexpected change occurred.
The heart rate monitor began to change again. This time, it wasn't speeding up but slowing down until it stopped.
Hearing the sound of the heart rate monitor stopping, everyone's expression changed dramatically.
If Brandon, such a big shot, died at Lindwood City Hospital, it would be a disaster for the hospital.
Even Jennifer couldn't escape responsibility, as she was Eugene's assistant.
Eugene's face turned pale with fear, and he staggered backward, almost falling to the ground, muttering, "Impossible, this is impossible. I followed the professor's instructions exactly. How could his heart stop?"
Thinking about the consequences of Brandon's death, Eugene was terrified.
At this moment, he regretted it immensely. If he had known this would be the outcome, he would never have volunteered to perform this surgery.
The two assistants were trembling with fear.
Jennifer angrily said, "I told you not to give the patient a sedative, but you didn't listen. Now look what happened."
Eugene, his mind in chaos, was provoked by Jennifer's words and shouted, "Shut up! It has nothing to do with the sedative."
"You!" Jennifer was furious. If they weren't in the middle of surgery, she would have shouted back.
Eugene gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot and his breathing heavy, and said, "Prepare the defibrillator."
The two panicked assistants immediately followed his orders.
After several rounds of defibrillation, Brandon's heartbeat finally returned, but it was still very weak and could stop at any moment.
"How could this happen? How could this happen?" Eugene muttered, his lips pale and bloodless, his whole demeanor lifeless and terrified.
Jennifer looked at the dying Brandon on the operating table, feeling incredibly distressed.
'What should I do now?' she thought to herself.
After a moment, a bright smile flashed through her mind.
James!
She suddenly thought of James and what he had said to her, that he was confident he could cure Brandon.
When she remembered the surprises James had brought her recently, especially the calm and confident look in his eyes, a thought suddenly popped into her mind, ‘Maybe James really can cure Brandon.’
Once this thought emerged, it grew stronger and stronger, impossible to suppress.
"Dr. Johnson, where are you going?" Seeing Jennifer take off her gloves and head out, Eugene, in his panic, hurriedly asked.
Jennifer blurted out, "I'm calling James. He said he could cure Mr. Edwards."
Her words left Eugene and the two assistants stunned. It took them a couple of seconds to grasp what she meant.
The two assistants had strange expressions. They thought Jennifer must be crazy to say such a thing. James was famously useless. He had been unable to find a job for five years after marrying into the Johnson family. Recently, he had been doing odd jobs at Lindwood City Hospital.
And now Jennifer was saying James could cure Brandon?
With what?
Just because James said so?
Moreover, in Brandon's current condition, he wouldn't last much longer. Unless a miracle happened, he was sure to die.
They had even thought of how to distance themselves from this surgical failure.
As for Eugene, after being stunned for a couple of seconds, he felt even worse.
He thought Jennifer was being outrageous and saying such things. If he couldn't cure Brandon, how could James possibly do it?
He was about to lash out at Jennifer.
But then he thought of something and held his tongue.
From another perspective, Jennifer was actually helping him.
Brandon was on the verge of death. If James had come to try to save the patient, the entire medical mishap could have blamed the accident on James.