?Chapter 1179:


    But as her thoughts drifted to the approaching charity g, she looked up at him and spoke hesitantly. “Dr. Walsh, I’d like to take a day off the day after tomorrow, if that’s all right.”


    “You’re leaving?” Carsen asked, his face clouded with confusion, his brow furrowing under the sterile hospital light. “Is there anything more important than performing surgery right now?”


    Maia met his gaze without hesitation, her voice steady. “No, there isn’t.”


    Carsen’s expression shifted to worry, lines deepening around his eyes. “Then why? Are you unwell?” he asked, his tone soft with concern.


    “No, I’m fine. I need to attend a banquet,” Maia replied, pausing briefly before adding, “I promise to return to the hospital once it’s over to continue learning surgery with you.”


    Carsen nodded, his reluctance easing. “All right,” he said, his voice gentler. “Perhaps this is a chance for you to rest, since you’ve scarcely had anytely. I’ll find someone to cover your duties. But please return to your post once your business is done.”


    His gaze sharpened as he continued, “I’ve taken on several surgeries recently, each patient’s condition mirroring Chris’. Their foreign objects, though, aren’t lodged as deeply. These cases should be valuable lessons for you.”


    Maia’s eyes brightened, a spark of gratitude in their depths. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, Dr. Walsh,” she said, her voice warm with appreciation.


    Wront University.


    Mnie tugged Ethan into the hallway the moment ss ended, her urgency palpable in the crowded corridor.


    “Quick! We need to get to the teacher’s office for an exit. I told Marisa, so she’s waiting outside,” she said, her words rushed.


    Ethan, breathless from her pace, gasped, “Slow down a bit. I just got out of the hospital.”


    Mnie halted, exasperation shing across her face. “Do you want your sister to marry my dad?” she asked, her tone sharp. “I worked hard to get these invitations for you and Marisa.”


    Ethan’s eyes widened, suddenly alert. “Invitations? You mean to the charity g?” he asked, his voice rising. “Why didn’t you say this earlier?”


    gα?ησν????s offers tales worth telling


    Energy surged through him, and he pushed past Mnie, taking the lead.


    Maia had been absent from Marvelous Gardentely, her whereabouts a mystery to him.


    Katie had voiced her worries, fearing Maia was in trouble, and Ethan—unwilling to burden her further—had kept silent about the issue, especially since she rarely spent time online.


    His many calls and texts to Maia had gone unanswered, and his after-school vigils at Elysium Apartments had yielded nothing. It only made him more uneasy, and he couldn’t concentrate in ss.


    But he was certain of one thing: since Maia had publicly stated online that she would attend the Cooper Group’s charity g, she would definitely show up.


    They reached the teacher’s office, where Marisa leaned against the wall, sucking on a lollipop, her posture casual but her eyes sharp.


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