Chapter 8: The Miracle Surgery

The following morning, Rose Hills Central Hospital was placed under complete lockdown.

Security officers guarded every entrance.

Reporters crowded outside the hospital gates, hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary Doctor Shant.

Inside the hospital, every operating room had been prepared for one purpose.

Saving Erick Thompson.

At exactly seven o'clock, Shantelle arrived outside Operating Room One.

She wore a spotless surgical gown, her blonde hair tucked neatly beneath a surgical cap.

Her blue eyes remained calm despite the enormous pressure surrounding the operation.

"Patient ready?" she asked.

"Yes, Doctor Shant," the head nurse replied.

"Vitals are stable for now."

"Good."

She sanitized her hands one final time before entering the operating room.

Professor Carter stood beside her.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Always."

Inside the operating theater, nearly twenty medical professionals waited.

Many were senior surgeons with decades of experience.

Yet every one of them followed Shantelle's instructions without question.

"Begin anesthesia."

"Heart-lung machine ready."

"Scalpel."

The surgery officially began.

Outside the operating room, Evan sat silently.

Nicole sat beside him, attempting to comfort him.

"Uncle Erick will be fine," she whispered.

Evan nodded absentmindedly.

His attention never left the operating room doors.

Nearly two hours passed.

Inside the operating room, the surgery became increasingly difficult.

"Blood pressure dropping!"

"Heart rhythm unstable!"

"Prepare another unit of blood!"

Several surgeons exchanged worried glances.

Professor Carter looked toward Shantelle.

"There's extensive arterial damage."

"We anticipated this," Shantelle replied calmly.

"Suction."

"Micro-forceps."

"Increase bypass flow."

Her hands never trembled.

Every movement was precise.

Every decision came instantly.

"Doctor... the artery is rupturing," one assistant warned.

"I'll reconstruct it."

"Surgical microscope."

Minutes turned into hours.

The operation entered its sixth hour.

Sweat covered every doctor's forehead.

Only Shantelle remained completely composed.

Professor Carter smiled beneath his mask.

"Brilliant..." he whispered.

"She's absolutely brilliant."

Outside, hospital staff updated the waiting family.

"The surgery is still ongoing."

"Doctor Shant remains in complete control."

Evan clasped his hands tightly.

He had negotiated billion-dollar contracts without fear.

Yet today...

He felt utterly powerless.

He silently prayed.

Not for himself.

But for his father.

Several reporters continued broadcasting live.

"The world's most famous heart surgeon has now been operating for over six hours."

"The nation is watching this historic surgery."

Meanwhile, inside the operating room...

"Heartbeat weakening," the anesthesiologist announced.

"Defibrillator ready," Shantelle ordered.

"Clear."

A shock passed through Erick's body.

Nothing.

"Again."

"Clear."

Another shock.

Still nothing.

Several assistants began losing hope.

"Doctor..."

"Again," Shantelle repeated firmly.

"Clear!"

The third shock echoed through the room.

A second later...

Beep...

Beep...

Beep...

A steady heartbeat returned.

Relief flooded the operating room.

"Heart rhythm restored!"

"Blood pressure stabilizing!"

"Excellent," Shantelle said.

"Let's finish this."

Two hours later...

She carefully placed the final suture.

"Operation complete."

"Time of completion: Nine hours and fourteen minutes."

Silence filled the room.

Then every surgeon applauded.

"Incredible..."

"A masterpiece."

"No wonder she's Doctor Shant."

Shantelle removed her gloves and mask.

"Transfer the patient to ICU."

"Monitor him continuously for the next twenty-four hours."

"Yes, Doctor."

She stepped outside the operating room.

The waiting area instantly became silent.

Evan stood before she even spoke.

"Doctor...?"

Shantelle smiled faintly.

"The surgery was successful."

"Your father is safe."

For a brief moment, Evan closed his eyes.

The overwhelming tension disappeared.

"Thank you..." he whispered sincerely.

"You saved him."

"Your father fought hard," Shantelle answered.

"I simply helped him."

Nicole also smiled.

"Thank goodness."

"Doctor Shant, you're truly amazing."

Shantelle acknowledged her politely before turning toward the ICU.

She had no interest in receiving praise.

Saving lives had become second nature.

An hour later, Erick slowly regained consciousness.

The first person he saw was Shantelle checking his monitors.

"You really... saved me," he whispered weakly.

"You're going to recover," she assured him.

"Just follow my instructions."

Erick's eyes became moist.

"I've always considered you my daughter."

"I never stopped."

Shantelle smiled gently but said nothing.

Some relationships no longer needed explanations.

Outside the ICU, hospital directors held an emergency press conference.

"Chairman Erick Thompson's surgery has been completed successfully."

"The operation was led by Doctor Shant."

"It is considered one of the most complex cardiac procedures ever performed in this country."

News spread across every television station within minutes.

Social media exploded with admiration.

"Doctor Shant is unbelievable!"

"She's a miracle worker!"

"Our country is honored to have her here."

That evening, Professor Carter congratulated Shantelle.

"You did it again."

"Another impossible surgery."

"Not impossible," she corrected.

"Just difficult."

Professor Carter laughed.

"Only you would call that difficult."

As they walked through the hospital corridor, several young doctors respectfully greeted her.

"Good evening, Doctor Shant!"

"Congratulations on another successful operation!"

Shantelle thanked each of them before returning to her office.

She believed the day was finally over.

However...

Someone was already waiting outside.

It was Evan.

He stood quietly beside the window, holding a small bouquet of white lilies.

When he saw her approaching, he slowly stepped forward.

"Shantelle..."

"Can we talk?"