Observation Room – Operating Theater
Neurosurgeon Dr. Shepherd and cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Burke led the operation, accompanied by resident Dr. Bailey, anesthesiologist Dr. Taylor, and interns Adam and Cristina. Together, they were performing a complex, joint procedure to remove a massive tumor.
A group of doctors and nurses gathered under the surgical lights, making the room feel somewhat crowded.
Upstairs, the observation gallery was already filled with doctors watching the procedure.
Alex stood with his arms crossed, glaring unhappily at Adam and Cristina in the operating room below.
That surgery was supposed to be his.
Because of a microphone malfunction, he was excluded from the procedure and punished by Dr. Burke, who banned him from entering the OR for a week.
Why?
It was just an accident—he hadn't even spoken badly about the patient directly.
Exactly!
In Alex's mind, he hadn't done anything wrong. If anyone was to blame, it was the faulty mic.
---
Inside the OR:
Dr. Burke began the procedure, focusing on the patient's lungs first.
The tumor was so large that it had severely compressed the patient's lungs, making breathing difficult and putting them at constant risk of suffocation.
Once Dr. Burke finished with the lungs, Dr. Shepherd would handle the spinal surgery next.
Due to the dense concentration of nerves around the spine, the procedure had to be performed with extreme precision and was expected to take a very long time.
Cristina and Adam were both excited and confident, ready to assist.
Eight hours later:
"More suction."
"Get another bag of O-negative blood!"
"Cauterize those minor bleeds—I need a clear view."
Commands flowed steadily from Dr. Burke as the surgery dragged on.
"Dr. Duncan, are you holding up? You'll need to remain absolutely steady soon."
He looked over at Adam, who was still holding the massive tumor in place.
"No problem."
Adam replied confidently, steady as ever.
Dr. Burke nodded in approval, glancing briefly at Cristina, who had already become too exhausted to help and was now just standing by, doing nothing useful.
Cristina avoided meeting Dr. Burke's gaze.
She hadn't been chosen by Dr. Burke for this surgery—she had pushed herself into the opportunity.
Just like how Alex had faked enthusiasm to win over the patient and become the primary intern, Cristina had found her own way in—by getting very close to Dr. Burke.
Unlike Bailey, who was openly against Dr. Shepherd's favoritism toward Meredith, Bailey knew Cristina was highly skilled, so she didn't object. She had no idea, though, that Cristina had resorted to the same tactics Meredith had.
Initially, Cristina and Adam shared the responsibility of holding the tumor, giving them front-row seats to this groundbreaking operation.
But as time passed, even though Adam bore most of the weight, just maintaining the lifting posture for eight hours was too much for Cristina's body to handle.
She started shifting uncomfortably, accidentally moving the tumor at one point.
With no other choice, Adam reassured the team that he could handle it alone, letting Cristina step aside so she wouldn't make things worse.
---
"Great job, Dr. Duncan!"
Half an hour later, Dr. Burke completed the lung surgery and praised Adam for holding the tumor so steadily, as if it were resting on a platform.
"Your strength really lives up to your reputation! I think I'll be calling on you next time for something like this."
"Anytime, anywhere," Adam replied with a confident smile.
Though it sounded like a joke, Adam meant every word.
Getting this kind of recognition from Burke—who was known to be a rival of Dr. Leonard—was a huge endorsement. If Burke started giving Adam more opportunities, his career trajectory would only accelerate.
Laughter rippled through the OR.
When the lead surgeon jokes, everyone follows suit—it's basic etiquette, especially when the joke is genuinely funny.
---
"We've got five or six more hours to go."
Taking over as the lead surgeon, Dr. Shepherd was genuinely impressed with Adam's stamina. His earlier irritation from being interrupted by Adam that morning seemed forgotten.
"Dr. Duncan, you sure you're still good?"
"No problem," Adam assured him. "If I can't hold out, Dr. Yang can take over."
Cristina shot Adam a grateful glance.
"Alright, let's get started. The sooner we finish, the lower the patient's risk."
Dr. Shepherd officially began the spinal surgery.
---
"Look at this artery—my God, it's as thick as a thumb! Have any of you ever seen a vessel this large?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"This tumor requires a huge blood supply," Dr. Shepherd explained mid-surgery. "We're about to run out of ten units of blood. Contact the blood bank—we need more O-negative, fast!"
---
In the Observation Room:
"Damn Adam!"
Alex had returned after running some errands and now saw Dr. Burke praising Adam, the room filled with laughter. Compared to his own scolding and punishment, it was a bitter sight.
He had always noticed Adam's condescending attitude but dismissed it before.
You look down on me? Well, I don't think much of you either.
But now, the glaring contrast between them was like a slap in the face. Adam clearly had the right to look down on him, and all Alex could do was swallow his frustration.
It drove him crazy.
---
"How's it going?"
Meredith entered the observation room after finishing her own tasks.
"Same as before," Alex responded coldly.
"Are you really as shallow and indifferent as you seem?" Meredith asked, studying him.
"Why? Want to grab a drink tonight? Hear about my inner pain?"
Alex turned toward her, smirking.
"Does that pickup line ever work?" Meredith laughed.
"Sometimes." He shrugged.
"Probably just because of your looks."
Meredith averted her gaze.
"So… you're saying yes?" Alex grinned lazily.
"No, I have a boyfriend," she replied, though her hesitation hinted at something more.
If Adam had been there, he probably would've spared a moment of sympathy for Meredith's boyfriend—Dr. Shepherd himself.
---
Back in the OR:
Unaware of his girlfriend's flirty exchange upstairs, Dr. Shepherd stayed focused on the delicate surgery.
Just then, the OR door burst open.
Without time to put on a mask, Liz rushed in, holding it over her mouth as she entered.
"Our surgery isn't finished yet!" Dr. Burke snapped from his assisting position.
"Patient Harper in room 2114—I had to perform emergency open-heart surgery right in the room!" Liz spoke urgently through the mask.
"You did what?"
Everyone turned to look at her in shock.
---
In the observation room, Alex was completely stunned—he was supposed to be the primary doctor for room 2114.
It was bad enough that Adam had stolen his surgery, but now Liz was stealing his patient, too?
Unforgivable.
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