"Dr. Duncan!"
After having lunch at noon, Adam returned to the ward to check on his patients. Before he could enter, he was stopped outside by a woman who appeared to be the daughter of Mr. Levange, a suspected Mexican cartel boss.
"How can I help you?"
Adam gave a professional smile.
"I was wondering if you could talk to him?"
The patient's daughter looked exhausted.
"Talk about what?"
Adam's smile remained unchanged.
"Brain surgery."
The patient's daughter explained, "The doctors mentioned it before, and I did some research online. If it's successful, it will not only ease his pain but also significantly reduce most of his symptoms."
"Does he want to undergo the surgery?"
Adam asked with a slight smile.
"He's scared."
The patient's daughter hesitated. "He's okay with the spinal surgery, but when it comes to brain surgery…"
"I'm sorry, but we have to respect the patient's wishes."
Adam understood and shook his head.
He also wanted to perform brain surgery on Mr. Levange, but if the patient was unwilling, he wouldn't try to persuade him.
So far, there were no signs of flashy gold-chain-wearing cartel members or stone-faced twin assassins visiting. This Mr. Levange, who looked and presented symptoms like the rumored cartel boss, was probably just an ordinary person. It was all just a coincidence.
Still, Adam remained cautious and followed protocol strictly.
"If he doesn't undergo brain surgery, his quality of life will be nonexistent, and his condition will only deteriorate."
The patient's daughter looked pained. "I'm getting married next month. I've already lost my mother, and I want him to walk me down the aisle."
"I understand."
Adam nodded. "But I can only explain the situation to him again. The decision to proceed with the surgery is entirely up to him. I think you should tell him this yourself—fathers often find the strength to overcome their fears for their daughters."
It was the truth.
Even though Adam had never been a father in either of his lifetimes, he had seen enough examples of paternal love.
For instance, in those joke stories where an adorable little girl asks her dad, 'If I were dying and the only way to save me was to eat poop, would you do it?'
And without hesitation, the father replies, 'I'd eat it!'
Then the little girl presses further, 'How much would you eat?'
And the father jokes, 'Enough to make you immortal!'
Of course, that example was extreme (and disgusting), but it still highlighted a father's love for his daughter.
"I already asked him."
The patient's daughter frowned. "But he said no. He said he would attend my wedding but wanted my uncle to walk me down the aisle. He said he'd sit in the back row because 'life isn't perfect.'"
"If he decides to undergo brain surgery, it has to be done while he's conscious."
Adam shook his head. "It's normal for Mr. Levange to have concerns. If you really want him to walk you down the aisle, you'll need to work harder to convince him. Otherwise, as doctors, we are powerless in this matter."
A conscious brain surgery—listening to drills and surgical instruments roaring behind your head—was terrifying for anyone.
And if the surgery failed, the patient would die instantly.
Choosing not to undergo such a high-risk surgery while still ensuring he could be present at his daughter's wedding was understandable.
In contrast, the daughter insisting on the surgery despite the risk of turning a joyful wedding into a funeral seemed selfish.
"You could consider having the spinal surgery first and then, after your wedding, proceed with the riskier brain surgery."
Adam suggested.
The patient's daughter lowered her head and fell silent.
Adam internally shook his head.
He understood her thoughts.
She was getting married next month. Right now, she should have been joyfully busy with wedding preparations.
But instead, she was exhausted from taking care of her father.
At such a happy moment, she wouldn't have her father's arm to hold, but instead, a trembling, sickly guest attracting everyone's attention.
Given that, she would rather have him undergo brain surgery now.
Either he would recover enough to walk her down the aisle,
Or, if the worst happened, she would wipe away her tears and move on with her life.
"A long illness tests filial piety."
Her decision was simply human nature.
But understanding her reasoning didn't mean Adam would help her. That was out of the question.
In the end, the patient's daughter failed to convince her father to undergo brain surgery.
Adam regretfully assisted Dr. Sheppard in performing a straightforward spinal surgery instead.
But, as the saying goes, misfortune and fortune are interwoven.
As soon as the surgery ended, Adam, like everyone else, rushed to the observation room.
A massive tumor, weighing over 27 kilograms, resembling the body of The Thing from Fantastic Four, was about to be removed—an unprecedented case that would definitely make it into medical textbooks.
"Dr. Duncan, are you interested in assisting with the giant tumor surgery?"
In the hallway, after reprimanding Alex, Dr. Burke suddenly turned to Adam with an invitation.
"Of course."
Adam was momentarily stunned but quickly nodded.
"Then prepare yourself with Cristina and follow me into the OR later."
Dr. Burke instructed before walking away.
"What's going on?"
Adam looked at Cristina, who was practically bouncing with joy, her fists clenched in excitement.
"That idiot Alex!"
Cristina sneered, nodding toward Alex, who was walking away with a sour expression. "He was pretending to be charming, making that poor woman believe there was a spark between them.
But once they went for the MRI scan, while the patient was inside the machine, Alex showed his true colors—gossiping with the technician.
The tech, being nosy, made a few comments about the patient's situation, but Alex went all out, calling her disgusting, saying she brought it on herself, and making other nasty remarks.
And guess what? He forgot to mute his microphone. The patient heard every single word.
So, once the scan was over, she made it clear: she would go through with the surgery, but under no circumstances would Alex be involved.
That idiot even tried to laugh it off and ask if he had done something to offend her.
Ha!"
"What a scumbag."
Adam said coldly. "In this situation, she could totally sue him—and given her condition, she'd have a solid case."
"When it comes to cases like this, people naturally sympathize with the victim."
"He's lucky."
Cristina shrugged. "The patient is too self-conscious to go to court. Otherwise, he'd be in serious trouble."
"But hey, at least it worked out for us. If Alex weren't such an idiot, we wouldn't have gotten the chance to assist in this groundbreaking surgery."
"That's true."
Hearing this, Adam pushed aside his disgust for Alex and started feeling excited instead.
"By the way, do you know why Dr. Burke chose me?"
"Why are you asking me?"
Cristina's reaction was oddly defensive.
Adam gave her a strange look.
"I don't know either."
Cristina looked away, avoiding eye contact. "But I'd guess it has something to do with your reputation for being ridiculously strong."
"You mean…"
Adam suddenly understood.
"Think about it—this surgery is incredibly complex and expected to last at least 14 hours."
Cristina confirmed his thoughts. "During the procedure, we'll need to hold up that massive tumor the entire time. Not everyone has the stamina for that. So… when the time comes, you'll help hold it up for as long as possible, okay?"
"No problem."
Adam smiled.
Getting such a close-up look at an ultra-rare tumor was an opportunity he wouldn't pass up.
And when it came to strength and endurance, he had plenty to spare.
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