Chapter 333: Then What Am I to You?
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Damien’s expression hardened, his entire demeanor shifting as the fear in his eyes gave way
to cold, commanding authority.
“Then solve it,” he ordered. “Whatever is standing in the way, remove it. Whatever resources you need, use them. Everything has a price. Pay it.”
His voice rose sharply, his composure finally cracking beneath the frustration consuming
him.
“Just make it happen!” he snapped, each word carrying the weight of an order he expected to be obeyed.
“With all due respect, Mr. Blackwood, the problem isn’t our ability to transport the blood,” Dr. Nakamura explained calmly. “It’s finding enough compatible blood to transport in the first place.”
“Jaime has a relatively rare blood type. We can’t simply substitute whatever blood happens to be available. For red–cell transfusions, we’re limited to blood that’s compatible with both his ABO type and his Rh–negative status. That significantly narrows the supply available to
us.”
He paused briefly.
“We’ve already contacted the hospital and had them check with blood banks and nearby facilities. So far, we’ve only located two compatible units. Transport has already been arranged, but they’re several hours away.”
“How long?” Damien demanded.
His jaw was clenched, his nostrils flaring slightly with each controlled breath as he struggled to keep his growing frustration in check.
“Approximately ten hours,” Dr. Nakamura replied, his expression remaining grave.
“And that’s too long,” Dr. Anderson added. “Given Jaime’s condition, ten hours is much longer than we’re comfortable risking. And even when those units arrive, two may not be enough.”
The tension around them sharpened.
Quiet sobs broke through the heavy silence as the weight of Dr. Anderson’s words settled
over everyone.
Harper abruptly stepped forward.
Chapter 333 Then What Am i to You?
“What’s his blood type?” she demanded.
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The panic in her eyes was unmistakable, but her voice carried sharp authority, fear quickly giving way to the instinct to act.
“Test everyone here. There are at least a hundred people on this estate right now, and I can have every single person working for us within a fifty–mile radius brought here immediately.” She looked between the two surgeons. “Whatever you need–do it. Start testing people now. There has to be someone among us who’s compatible.”
Dr. Nakamura gave Harper a small nod.
“Ms. Harper, we can test everyone willing to donate, and we will. But-”
“But what?” Harper cut in, her agitation growing.
“Screening that many people and confirming compatibility still takes time,” Dr. Nakamura explained patiently. “We need to determine their blood type, make sure they’re eligible to donate, and crossmatch any potentially compatible blood with Jaime’s before we can safely use it. With fewer than ten medical personnel available here, we simply don’t have the manpower to test a hundred people at once.”
“Then bring more medical staff in!” Harper snapped. “You need people? I’ll get you people!”
Her expression hardened, the agitation in her features giving way to something far colder. When she spoke again, she didn’t raise her voice. If anything, the sudden calm made her more intimidating as she met the doctor’s eyes, unmistakable authority settling over her.
“Anata ni koko ni kite moratta no wa, shigoto o shite morau tame desu, Nakamura–sensei. Kore ijō, iiwake wa kikitakunai. Wakarimashita ka?”
I brought you here to do your job, Dr. Nakamura. I don’t want to hear any more excuses. Do you understand?
Dr. Nakamura held her stare for only a moment before dipping his head in a respectful bow, clearly recognizing the authority behind her words.
“Understood. We’ll begin testing as soon as possible.”
He straightened, immediately shifting his attention back to the problem at hand.
“But let’s narrow the pool first. That will save us valuable time.”
Harper gave a firm nod. “Tell us what you need.”
“Anyone who already knows their blood type should come forward immediately. Jaime is
Chapfe 100 Then What Am I to You?
B–negative, so prioritize anyone who knows they’re B–negative or O–negative. We’ll test and crossmatch them first.”
Maya’s head suddenly lifted.
Negative.
Of everything Dr. Nakamura had just said, that was the one word that immediately registered.
Before he could continue, Maya cut him off.
“I’m negative.”
Damien looked down at her, but Maya was already pulling away from him and stepping
toward the doctors.
“I’m AB–negative,” she blurted, her voice trembling as she immediately held out her arm toward the doctors. “Take mine. Take as much as you need. Drain me if you have to. I don’t
care.”
“Maya-” Damien started.
But she barely seemed to hear him.
Her tears spilled faster as desperation completely overwhelmed whatever sense of self–preservation she had left.
“Even if it kills me, just do it!” she pleaded, “just save my brother.”
Her voice broke completely as she started to lower herself to her knees, ready to beg if that
was what it took.
Before she could make it any farther, Damien caught her by the arms and pulled her back against him.
“What the hell are you thinking?!” he snapped. “Don’t you dare kneel before anyone!”
Cecilia’s expression tightened at the sight. It took everything in her not to rush to her granddaughter’s side. Seeing with her own eyes just how desperate Maya had become was almost too much to bear.
People were meant to kneel before someone of Maya’s blood, not the other way around.
“No, Damien!” Maya cried, struggling against his hold. “Let go of me!”
She managed to pull herself free and turned toward him, tears streaming down her face.
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“You don’t understand! Jaime is all I have left!” Her voice broke into a sob. “He’s my brother, and I’ll do anything for him. Anything!”
“Maya-”
“I mean it!” she cried. “If giving my life means he gets to live, then I’ll do it. I’ll give them every drop of blood in my body if that’s what it takes to save him!”
Damien went completely still.
For a moment, he could only stare at her, the color draining slightly from his face as her words sank in. His jaw tightened, but the anger that had consumed him only moments earlier was gone, replaced by something far more vulnerable.
Fear.
“Then what am I to you?”
The quiet question cut through her panic.
Her breath caught as the meaning of her own words finally sank in. The hurt on Damien’s face was subtle but unmistakable, and seeing it made her chest tighten painfully.
“Damien…” Her lips trembled. “I… that’s not what I meant.”
She wiped helplessly at her tears with the back of her hand.
“You are my future, Damien.” Her voice cracked beneath the weight of the words. “But I can’t imagine that future without my brother in it. I love you. God, I love you so much… but I can’t lose him. I can’t.”
Another sob escaped her.
“He’s my little brother. I raised him. I protected him. I promised him I would always be there.” She shook her head desperately as fresh tears poured down her face. “I can’t stand here and watch him die when there’s something I can give to save him.”
Her breathing broke as she struggled to continue.
“If one of us has to die, then let it be me. I’ll die before I let it be him.”
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