Chapter 5: Doctor Shant

Five years later.

Rose Hills City had changed dramatically.

The skyline was now filled with towering skyscrapers bearing the names of multinational corporations.

Among them, Thompson Group remained the undisputed leader.

Under Evan Thompson's leadership, the company had expanded across Asia and Europe.

Business magazines called him the youngest and most successful CEO in the country.

Yet despite his achievements, those closest to him noticed one thing.

He smiled less than before.

Nicole Lively still appeared beside him at business dinners and charity events, but their relationship had never progressed.

Whenever reporters asked about marriage, Evan always replied with the same sentence.

"I'm focused on work."

Only he knew the real reason.

His heart had become strangely empty.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Switzerland, Doctor Shant had become a legendary name in medicine.

At only twenty-seven years old, she was considered one of the finest cardiothoracic surgeons in the world.

Her success rate during high-risk heart surgeries reached nearly one hundred percent.

Medical journals frequently published her research.

Universities invited her to deliver lectures.

Patients waited months just to secure an appointment.

Yet very few people knew her real identity.

Most only knew her by one name.

"Doctor Shant."

That morning, the International Medical Center bustled with activity.

"Doctor Shant is arriving!"

Doctors and nurses immediately prepared the operating room.

A helicopter had just landed on the hospital rooftop carrying a critically injured child.

"Eight-year-old male."

"Severe cardiac trauma."

"Blood pressure dropping rapidly."

"Estimated survival chance below twenty percent."

Inside the operating theater, Shantelle calmly scrubbed her hands.

She adjusted her surgical mask before looking toward the medical team.

"Everyone stay focused."

"We'll bring him back."

"Yes, Doctor Shant!"

The operation lasted nearly seven hours.

Every second demanded absolute precision.

Not a single doctor dared to relax.

Finally...

"Heartbeat stabilized," the anesthesiologist announced.

"Blood pressure returning to normal."

A wave of relief swept through the operating room.

"Successful surgery," Shantelle said calmly.

"Excellent work, everyone."

The entire surgical team applauded.

Outside, the little boy's parents burst into tears when they heard the news.

"Thank you... thank you so much, Doctor!"

The grateful mother knelt before Shantelle.

Shantelle quickly helped her up.

"Please don't kneel."

"Your son fought very hard."

"I only did my job."

Her humility earned even greater admiration.

Later that afternoon, Professor William Carter entered her office carrying a thick envelope.

"Congratulations," he said with a proud smile.

"You've received another invitation."

Shantelle accepted the envelope.

It came from the International Cardiac Association.

She had been invited as the keynote speaker at the World Cardiology Summit.

"Again?" she laughed softly.

"This is the third conference this month."

"Because you're the best," Professor Carter replied.

"And because hospitals across the world are fighting over you."

Before they could continue, another doctor hurried inside.

"Professor!"

"Breaking news from Rose Hills City."

"Chairman Erick Thompson collapsed during a shareholders' meeting."

"Doctors suspect severe coronary artery disease."

The room fell silent.

Shantelle's expression remained calm.

But inside...

Her heart skipped a beat.

It had been five years since she last heard Erick Thompson's name.

Professor Carter looked toward her.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she answered softly.

Across the ocean, panic filled Rose Hills Central Hospital.

"Move!"

"Clear the hallway!"

"Chairman Thompson is arriving!"

Doctors rushed Erick into the emergency department.

Evan followed closely behind.

"Save my father!" he demanded.

"Do whatever it takes!"

After nearly two hours of examinations, the hospital director walked into the waiting room.

His expression was grim.

"Mr. Thompson..."

"Your father's condition is extremely complicated."

"His heart has deteriorated significantly."

"Without immediate surgery..."

"He may not survive."

Evan stood abruptly.

"Then perform the operation."

The director slowly shook his head.

"We can't."

"This procedure is beyond our capabilities."

"Even the country's best surgeons would hesitate."

Silence filled the room.

"Then find someone who can!" Evan roared.

"Money isn't an issue."

"I'll pay anything."

The director exchanged uneasy glances with several senior physicians.

Finally, one doctor spoke.

"There is one person."

"Only one."

Evan immediately stepped forward.

"Who?"

The doctor opened his tablet before showing a photograph.

A woman dressed in a white surgical coat appeared on the screen.

Although most of her face was partially hidden by a surgical mask, her sharp blue eyes stood out immediately.

"She is internationally known as Doctor Shant," the doctor explained.

"She's currently the world's leading cardiothoracic surgeon."

"If anyone can save your father..."

"It's her."

Evan stared silently at the photograph.

Something about those eyes felt strangely familiar.

But before he could understand why...

The doctor continued.

"Unfortunately..."

"Doctor Shant rarely accepts private cases."

"Even world leaders wait months for her schedule."

"And she's currently practicing in Switzerland."

Evan clenched his fists.

"Arrange the flight."

"I'll go myself."

"Even if I have to kneel before her..."

"I'll bring Doctor Shant back to Rose Hills."

Thousands of miles away, inside her quiet office, Shantelle looked at the invitation resting on her desk.

She had no idea...

That destiny had already begun guiding her back toward the city she once left behind.

Back toward the man who had broken her heart.

And back toward the family she thought she had left behind forever.