Chapter 181

Vivian Laurent had just set down her scalpel when Dr. Zachary Kalmien from the Cardiology Department blocked the doorway.

"Dr. Laurent, join our department!" Dr. Kalmien's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Double the salary, priority surgical scheduling."

Vivian wiped the sweat from her brow, offering a polite smile. "I'm quite content in General Surgery, Dr. Kalmien."

"Those brutes in General Surgery don’t appreciate talent!" Dr. Kalmien stomped his foot in frustration. "A genius like you belongs in Cardiology."

Footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Dr. Wang from Hepatobiliary Surgery rushed over, panting. "Dr. Laurent, we need a deputy director—perfect timing for you!"

"Wang, what are you playing at?" Dr. Kalmien glared.

Vivian subtly retreated, seizing the moment of their argument to slip into the elevator.

Back in the General Surgery Department, she collapsed into her chair with a relieved sigh.

Nathan Clementson handed her a glass of water. "Was that a consultation or a battlefield?"

"Worse than a battlefield." Vivian drained the glass in one go. "If anyone asks for me, tell them I'm unavailable."

Before Nathan could respond, the nurse station phone rang.

"Dr. Laurent!" A nurse called out. "Oncology, Neurosurgery, and Respiratory Medicine are all asking for you!"

Vivian immediately ducked under her desk, shooting Nathan a pleading look.

Nathan reluctantly picked up the phone. "Ah, Dr. Laurent is... in the restroom."

That afternoon, Nathan witnessed what could only be described as a "talent war."

"Dr. Laurent belongs to General Surgery!" The department chief slammed his fist on the table. "Anyone else trying to poach her will get their surgeries scheduled at midnight!"

Ryan Fairsprene stood in the corner, clutching a medical chart, his eyes shining as he watched Vivian.

"Dr. Laurent, your surgery yesterday was incredible," he whispered. "May I learn from you?"

Vivian looked up, offering a warm smile. "Of course. You have real potential."

Ryan's face flushed crimson to the tips of his ears.

......

At the Roscente Group's top-floor office, Ethan Roscente stared at his computer screen, scrolling through the hospital forum's discussions about Vivian.

"Genius Surgeon."

"Once-in-a-century medical prodigy."

"An artist in the operating room."

His fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk.

The timid wife who once deferred to him had become the hospital's most sought-after talent.

His phone buzzed—a message from a hospital contact: "Ethan, your ex-wife got cornered by five department heads today."

Ethan's lips curved involuntarily.

He opened his photo album, pulling up a wedding picture. Vivian in her wedding dress, her smile shy and soft.

Now, her gaze on the operating table was sharp as a blade—a completely different person.

"How many more secrets do you have?" he murmured.

Outside, city lights flickered to life, stretching his shadow long across the floor.

Someone who was once within reach now shone like a distant star—brilliant yet untouchable.

Ethan shut his laptop and grabbed his suit jacket.

Suddenly, he wanted to see the woman who intrigued him more by the day.