Chapter 286 The Angry Harmony
He laughed, but the sound was all wrong – a grotesque parody of his usual bright, optimistic smile. It contorted his visage, transforming a supposed comforting countenance into an entity bordering on the grotesque. Upon seeing that, a small child would have burst into tears.
An uncomfortable silence descended upon the room. Jennifer and Harmony, in particular, seemed heartbroken, their faces etched with a mixture of pity and despair.
Edwin and Michael exchanged a look, both men sighing heavily. It was a tragedy. James, in the prime of his life, so full of talent and kindness, reduced to…this. He'd saved seven lives, but at what cost? It felt profoundly unfair.
A wave of grief and anger washed over everyone present.
"It's not ugly," Edwin insisted, forcing a smile. "Not at all. You just focus on getting better, alright? Don't you worry about a thing." He looked around at the others, seeking confirmation. "Right?"
"Yeah, it's nothing serious," Michael chimed in, but his smile was strained, his tone lacking conviction. "Just a few scars. Modern medicine can work wonders."
"It's what's inside that counts, James," Atticus added, his voice gruff with emotion. "A man's character, his actions, those are what define him, not his appearance. A few scars are nothing."
"Dr. Wheeler and Mr. Brown are right," Dennis said, though his attempt at a reassuring smile was even more unconvincing than Edwin's. "Just focus on getting better. We'll take care of everything else."
Kaitlyn remained silent, her expression unreadable, lost in thought.
James, of course, didn't need their reassurances. He already knew the truth. He'd seen the horrified looks on the faces of the firefighters who'd pulled him from the inferno. He'd felt the tightness of his skin, the way it pulled at his every movement.
He had experienced severe burns, with over ninety percent of his body being charred, including his face. The flames had licked at him, searing his flesh. It was a miracle he hadn't lost his sight.
He might have possessed extraordinary strength and resilience, but he wasn't Superman. He wasn't a god. He was human, and fire, that most primal and unforgiving of elements, had claimed its due.
An ordinary man wouldn't have survived such burns. But James was no ordinary man. He was a skilled physician, and with the help of his internal energy, he knew he could heal. He would reclaim his body, his face, his life.
"Does anyone have a mirror?" he asked, his voice surprisingly steady. He needed to see the damage for himself. The skin on his face felt tight, especially around his neck, as if it were covered in a thick, constricting mask.
His request was met with a flurry of nervous activity. Jennifer was the first to react, rushing to his side and taking his hand in hers. "Don't be silly," she said, her voice unnaturally high-pitched. "It's nothing. Just a few scars. You're still handsome, you are."
He vaguely registered that this was the first time she'd ever called him handsome. The irony wasn't lost on him.
Harmony stepped forward, her expression softening. "It's only been a week, James," she said gently. "You've just had the bandages removed. It's going to take time. You'll see, by the time you're discharged, you'll be almost back to your old self."
A young nurse nearby snorted. "With burns that severe? Fat chance. Even plastic surgery won't fix that."
Her voice was low, but in the hushed room, her words carried. Harmony whirled around, her eyes flashing. "What was that? Do you want to lose your job?"
Beneath her gentle facade, Harmony possessed a core of steel. She might have been soft as silk around James, but she was no pushover. Her anger, when unleashed, was a force to be reckoned with. The young nurse shrank back, intimidated.
Regrettably, she was unfamiliar with Harmony's presence at the hospital, being a newcomer herself. The girl hailed from an affluent background and was accustomed to having her desires effortlessly fulfilled. Being dressed down in front of so many people didn't sit well with her. "What's it to you?" she retorted. "I'm just stating a fact. Burns like that? He's disfigured. You're all delusional if you think he's going to look the same again."
The assistant doctor standing next to her, however, did recognize Harmony. He paled, realizing the young nurse had just committed career suicide. "Thais!" he hissed, grabbing her arm. "Shut your mouth! You have no right to speak to Mr. Caden's family like that. Apologize, now!"
Thais scoffed. The assistant doctor wasn't her superior, just a colleague. "Why should I apologize? I'm not wrong!"
Harmony's gaze was glacial. "So you're doubling down on your rudeness? Fine. I don't want to see your face in Lindwood City ever again. Michael, take care of it."
Michael, his face thunderous, nodded curtly. "Consider it done." He whipped out his phone and dialed a number. "Ignatius? It's Michael. We're going to have to reschedule lunch. I'm at the hospital. One of your nurses just insulted me and my family. Get down here. Now."
He hung up, his expression grim.
The assistant doctor, realizing the seriousness of the situation, stammered, "Mr. Caden, please, I barely know her! This isn't my fault!"
Thais, witnessing his panic, smirked. What a coward. Her father was friends with Ignatius, the hospital director. He wouldn't dare fire her.
Less than two minutes later, the door burst open, and Ignatius rushed in, his face a mask of concern.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
