Cold husband burning regret

Regret 149 Every tmedication was needed for surgery, the pharmacy kept a strict log-dosages could be less, never more, to prevent dangerous overdoses.

No one understood the implications of surplus drugs better than the anesthesiologist. Realization dawned on his face. Whipping around, he glared at the nervous new assistant. "What's going on with the meds you gave me?" "I... I..." The assistant was trembling so badly she could barely speak.

"She's new, it's her first tin the operating room," Charlotte stepped in smoothly, handing the vial to the anesthesiologist. “She made a mistake, but since nothing catastrophic happened, we can forgive her this once." But Charlotte's gaze sharpened as she looked back at the assistant. "Still, I don't think you're suited for this job." The words struck like a blow; the assistant broke down in tears, overwhelmed by guilt and fear. "It was Director Winthrop who toldto do it! She said a little allergic reaction to the anesthetic wouldn't matter, that a tiny bit extra wouldn't put the patient's life at risk." "Director Winthrop?" The anesthesiologist was furious now. "What does someone who's never set foot in an OR know about this? For most people, the risk of an allergic reaction to propofol is about thirty-seven percent. But for patients who are sensitive, the consequences are even more severe-especially during surgery. It can suppress breathing, trigger shock-this could have killed someone!" "Thank God Dr. Sterling double-checked everything. Otherwise, we'd all be in serious trouble because of her!" Any goodwill toward Tricia evaporated among the staff.

One small mistake-even the tiniest extra dose-could jeopardize everyone's career in that room.

Charlotte's face darkened. If not for the warning she'd found scribbled on Vera's note, she would never have suspected Tricia would dare tamper with a patient's medications. If something really had happened, did Tricia honestly believe Evander could protect her? "Alright, get her out of here," Charlotte finally said, regaining her composure. She signaled for someone to escort the new assistant from the operating room.

Stepping over to her surgical assistant, Charlotte whispered something in his ear.

1/3 13.06 Chapter 149 He hesitated, then nodded and made a discreet hand signal.

The surgery lasted from nine in the morning until one in the afternoon-five exhausting hours.

Winston paced anxiously outside the recovery room, sick with worry.

Tricia made her way to the surgical wing, hoping for news. The operation was still in progress, and no one had cout to share an update-she had no idea how things were going inside.

Ten minutes later, the surgical assistant finally emerged.

Winston rushed over, desperate. "How is my wife? Did the surgery go well?" The doctor pulled off his mask, but there was no relief in his expression-just a conflicted look, as if he was struggling with what to say.

Tricia saw her chance, a flicker of satisfaction passing through her eyes. She strode up beside Winston. "Deputy Commissioner Rivers, this is what happens when you trust the wrong people. There are so many renowned neurosurgeons in the city-how could you let an attending physician with only three years' experience perform such a complicated operation?" Winston's face went crimson with rage, veins bulging in his neck as he trembled with barely contained fury. Even his secretary was stunned-was Mr. Howard really capable of such a misjudgment? "Where is Charlotte?" Winston exploded, his voice echoing down the hall. "Get her out here now! And Dean Chase, too! I want answers, or I'll see this hospital shut down!" Arms crossed, Tricia stood back, relishing the chaos.

But just then, someone in the crowd called, "Mr. Howard!" Tricia's smile froze. She dropped her arms and hurried to meet Evander as he arrived. "Evander, you're here! I think Dr. Sterling's in trouble-the surgery seems to have failed." "I tried to warn her," Tricia/pressed on. "I told Dr. Sterling not to push herself, but she just wouldn't listen. Now look what's happened-she's gotten someone-" "Who said the surgery failed?" The assistant doctor finally snapped, unable to hold back. "Did I say that?" Tricia faltered, her face paling. "But you just...” 2/3 13:06 "I was still catching my breath! You jumped in before I even said a word!" He shot Tricia a withering look. After that stunt with the anesthetic, he had nothing but contempt for her.

Winston's head jerked up, hope flickering in his eyes. "You what did you say? My wife-her surgery wasn't a failure?" The doctor nodded. "Mr. Rivers, your wife's surgery was a complete success. She should regain consciousness in about half an hour

Tricia's composure cracked. "But you-you didn't sound like that a m minute ago!" She caught Evander's gaze and quickly tried to recover. “Evander, that's not what I meant. It's just, he was so vague before-it was easy to misunderstand."

"Misunderstand?" Charlotte's voice rang out calmly as she stepped from the operating room room removing hen mask "Funny, my assistant didn't even get a word in before Director Winthrop declared the surgery a failure. So certain, as if she could see the future." Tricia flinched, hands balled into fists, fingernails digging into her palms.

She realized, with a rush of dread, that she'd just walked straight into a trap-one set perfectly for her.

Evander's gaze lingered on Charlotte's striking face. In her eyes, he could see the open open hostility m directed at Tricia He narrowed his En own eyes, a thought flickering through his mind: whenever he was around Tricia, Charlotte always reacted this way.

Was she... jealous?