"Claire, we're leaving Lance in your hands this time."
Latham spoke to Claire directly, refusing to let Octavia interject.
"If you trust Mary and me, we will perform this surgery. If not, you still have time to bring in outside experts," Claire said.
"Latham, personal grudges aside, Lance was like a brother to me for years. I don't want him losing a limb."
"Besides, I'm going to be a doctor, and medical ethics matter."
"You can rest assured that I'll do everything in my power in that operating room."
"Plus, Mary will be right there with me."
"No matter how much she favors me, Lance is still her biological grandson."
"She would never just stand by and watch me mess up."
"So, I'd appreciate it if Octavia didn't project her own dark thoughts onto me."
Claire called Octavia out directly.
Octavia felt she had to say something to save face.
"I'm not projecting. Anyone would be worried sick when their own family is on the operating table."
"Claire, I know you have a huge problem with me, but this is about Lance. He's still your brother."
"I hope you take this seriously."
"The surgery absolutely must succeed!"
Claire hadn't cared much at first, but Octavia's commanding tone at the end left her speechless.
"I will do my absolute best, but if the surgery fails, it will be due to the inherent risks of the procedure itself."
"I hope you both understand that."
Claire didn't want to waste another breath on Octavia.
Her tone had become completely clinical.
"Honestly, I didn't want to take this surgery, and you both know why."
"When there's a lack of trust, it's better to avoid the situation entirely. But I was worried about Mary."
"At her age, what if she collapsed from exhaustion at the operating table?"
Claire laid her cards on the table.
Octavia stayed silent, realizing Claire truly hadn't wanted to do this.
She had wanted to leave Lance for dead!
Terrified that Claire might change her mind, Latham quickly urged her into the operating room.
Mary emerged, already dressed in her scrubs.
Seeing they had signed the consent forms, Claire went in to change as well.
Mary walked over and pointedly said, "Don't think I brought Claire in here out of favoritism. Her medical skills are exceptional."
Latham immediately replied, "Mother, we know. Even if the surgery fails, I won't cause any trouble for Claire."
Octavia shot Latham a look, absolutely unwilling to make such a promise.
If the surgery was a success, fine. But if it failed, she would completely destroy Claire's reputation!
How dare a little brat think she was so important and threaten them!
Mary turned her sharp gaze to Octavia.
"You've always had an issue with Claire because you knew all along she wasn't your biological daughter."
"But she was just a child. She was
completely innocent in all of this.
suggest you take a
long, hard look in
long, hard, dookin
the mirror and figure out whois
really at fault here."
fo FindNovel.net
Octavia hesitated. "Mother, I know you can't stand me, but I didn't treat Claire badly
in the past."
"She grew up in the James family,
enjoying a life of luxury that
.nét
ninety-nine percent of kids could only dream of Didn't we provide that?"
"All I ask is that she doesn't bite the hand that fed her."
Mary's expression turned frigid at the mention of betrayal. "Your actions caused her to be swapped into this family in the first place. What gratitude does she owe you?"
"Don't even try to pull the 'we raised her' card."
Latham and Octavia were stunned to realize the older woman knew every detail of
what happened back then.
Truth be told, Claire was nothing but a victim.