?Chapter 851:


    “That won’t do,” Maia cut in, raising her voice for the first time.


    She drew in a breath, then met Lenny’s eyes without wavering as she dered, “I’ll do the surgery myself.”


    A heavy, absolute silence filled the office.


    Lenny jerked his head up,pletely stunned. “What did you just say?” He stared at Maia as if he couldn’t believe his ears.


    “I’ll do the surgery,” Maia said, her voice steady and clear.


    “Are youpletely out of your mind?” Lenny snapped, losing the control he rarely let slip. “Maia, do you understand the risk you’re talking about? You might be my top student, but you haven’t practiced medicine since you left the academy. Brain surgery isn’t just about being gifted or brave.”


    Lenny clenched his jaw. “You have incredible potential, but no one picks up a scalpel and masters this in a week. It takes years in the operating room. Even if I walked you through every step, there just isn’t enough time. Chris doesn’t have that luxury. He…”


    Maia’s hand curled into a fist at her side. She knew that everything he said was true. Brain surgery was a field where skill only came from relentless, hands-on experience.


    Right now, though, she had no choice left.


    This wasn’t just about Zoey’s trust in her. Maia couldn’t stand to see Chris trapped in constant uncertainty, never knowing when the end mighte. She wanted him to have a life that wasn’t haunted by fear.


    “Then tell me, Professor Bryant, who else will do it?” Maia’s voice stayed calm as she met his eyes. “No one else is stepping up, so I have to be the one. I have to be the surgeon.”


    Lenny froze, caught off guard by her determination.


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    He looked Maia up and down, searching for something, but then hesitated. Finally, after a long moment, he spoke more quietly. “Maia, I need to know. What is your real connection to this patient?”


    For a few seconds, Maia remained silent, then slowly lifted her chin. “Chris is my husband.”<fn825c> ?????? ???? F?ndNovel</fn825c>


    Her answer seemed to stretch the silence even further. The tension in the room was thick enough to feel. Even the buzz of the overhead light felt painfully sharp in the quiet.


    Lenny stood frozen, unable to hide his shock as he stared at the student he had always known to be steady and logical. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say.


    Maia held his gaze, her tone unwavering and clear. “That’s why I have to save him, no matter what it takes.”


    Conflicting emotions flickered in Lenny’s eyes, but he stayed silent.


    After what felt like ages, he let out a long breath. “Are you certain about this?”


    Without a hint of doubt, Maia nodded.


    Lenny finally gave in. He rubbed his forehead, sounding every bit the stern teacher again. “Alright, then. When we get back, I’ll walk you through the entire procedure, step by step. From the incision to stopping the bleeding, from sutures to care after the operation, I’ll be at your side the whole time. I’ll be strict, Maia. I won’t go easy on you. There’s zero margin for error, do you understand?”


    “I do, Professor Bryant.” Maia’s eyes held steady. “I won’t fail you.”


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