Chapter 426



Belinda’s chest tightened with the certainty that her face must also be covered in the same red bumps. With a resigned sigh, she pushed herself upright and reached for a mask. At least this would spare others the shock of her appearance.

She had just leaned back into the pillows when the door to her hospital room swung open with an abrupt creak. In strode Harold and Lucas.

“Belinda, are you alright?” Harold asked, his cane tapping hurriedly against the floor as he approached her bedside. Concern etched deep lines across his face.

Belinda blinked, caught off guard. “Harold… I mean, Mr. Clark? Why are you here?” she asked. She stumbled over how to address Harold, quickly correcting herself as though suddenly remembering something.

Lucas’ expression darkened when he heard that, his jaw tightening. “Mr. Clark?” It seemed Belinda was really eager to distance herself from his father—and from him.

Harold’s brows lifted, his resignation almost palpable. He said, “I heard you fainted while performing surgery! Do you have any idea how terrifying that news was? I nearly had a heart attack rushing here.”

Belinda offered a faint smile, her voice soft. “I’m sorry to have worried you.”

But as you can see now, I’m fine.”

Harold’s expression turned stormy, his voice rising. “Fine? Take a look at yourself! Covered in red bumps, barely breathing, and you call this fine? You knew you were having an allergic reaction and still insisted on finishing the surgery! How could you have done something so dangerous like that? Do you have any idea how reckless that was? The attending doctor said that if you had been brought in even a minute later, you might have already been dead!”

His hand tightened on his cane. He was still shaken by how close Belinda had come to death. He believed she didn’t take her health seriously at all.

Belinda shifted uncomfortably and said, “It wasn’t as bad as it sounds. I’ve had allergic reactions like this before. I know my limits. And the surgery was critical—if I’d left, the patient might not have survived. I couldn’t just walk away.”

Harold’s eyes burned with frustration. “You think you know your limits? You are naive to think that! The situation will be different every time. What if the situation this time had been worse? What if you hadn’t made it? You’re so focused on saving others that you completely forget about yourself. Do you have any idea how much you have scared me with this reckless behavior?” His voice cracked, heavy with emotion.

Belinda’s defiance faltered, and she lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I was wrong, and I promise I won’t let something like this happen again. Please don’t be too angry because of this. Otherwise, your health will be affected.”

Harold shook his head, letting out a long, weary sigh. “You… You really drive me mad sometimes.”

The room fell silent at that moment, broken only by the faint hum of the hospital machinery. Lucas, who had been standing silently at the foot of the bed, gazed at Belinda.

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