?Chapter 931:


    “N totally can. Right, N?” Lucinda turned toward N with confidence.


    The others followed, watching N expectantly.


    N wanted nothing more than to shut Lucinda up on the spot. Lucinda was such an idiot. She was counting on Jonah to handle the surgery, and now, thanks to Lucinda running her mouth, slipping out of the operation just got ten times harder.


    Jonah, Glenn, and the entire surgical team were already poised for N to step into the OR.


    Carlton Ramirez from neurosurgery broke the silence. “Dr. Vance, the OR’s prepped. We’re ready to begin.”


    Lamont’s case couldn’t afford a single dy.


    N’s heart pounded in her chest as her eyes darted from one face to the next. Leading this surgery was impossible. If anything went sideways, the fallout wouldnd squarely on her. Her mind raced for an escape. Fighting to keep her voice steady, she turned to Glenn. “I am afraid I can’t proceed with the operation. Not right now.”


    “What?” Glenn’s tone sharpened. “We’re prepped and staffed. No one else here can handle a procedure this advanced. What’s the problem?”


    Carlton’s jaw clenched as he felt N was looking down on him. She’d insisted on having Jonah assist her—and now she was backing out? It looked deliberate. His expression darkened. “Dr. Vance, you know how serious Deputy Commander Aston’s condition is. Every second counts. We can’t afford dys.”


    There was no room for hesitation, not now.


    Glenn’s face grew tight with concern. He’d always seen N as a reliable physician. But now, right at the breaking point, she was pulling back. “Why can’t you do the surgery?” he asked, barely keeping his irritation beneath the surface. He needed answers. If she couldn’t exin herself, he’d have to question her professionalpetence.


    Glenn’s expression hardened as he delivered his final warning. “If you don’t give me a sound reason, I’ll have no choice but to conclude you’re not capable of handling a surgery of this magnitude.”


    N had been all set to walk into the operating room, steady and sure. But at thest second, she backed away, leaving everyone around her stunned and suspicious of her professional skills.


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    “Dr. Vance, what’s the holdup? Don’t tell me you’re not up to the task.”


    “Didn’t she im to be the Healer’s disciple? Can’t even handle a single surgery?”


    “She’s too afraid to take charge—that says it all. The Healer’s disciple? What a joke.”


    “This is beyond unprofessional. Backing out right before a procedure? She’s ying roulette with that man’s life!”


    “If she were truly the Healer’s disciple, she wouldn’t flinch. Her hesitation proves she’s been bluffing the whole time. Probably never even met the Healer. No wonder that so-called dietary supplement didn’t work!”


    Lamont’s condition had worsened after taking N’s so-called cure. Now she was bailing on the surgery too. Something was clearly off.


    When Elena had first called the pill a fake, most people weren’t sure what to believe. But now, seeing N panic, their doubt turned dangerously close to certainty.


    The suspicion from the crowd hit N like a wave crashing into her. Her face flushed hot with embarrassment. She felt exposed, humiliated. But if she went through with that operation, the me would fall squarely on her shoulders if anything went wrong. It could even trigger a disciplinary review. She couldn’t risk that. Not for anyone. Thus, no matter what Glenn or anyone else demanded, she had to hold her ground.


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