Chapter 24

Landon fixed the director with a stern look."Asclepius will be working with my surgical team under disguise. Until the operation is done, this stays between us. Not a word to anyone. After the surgery,you can release a statement that.Asclepius performed a procedure here. That'll bring the hospital some positive attention. But that's where it ends. There are details you keep quiet about-and l expect you know the line."

"I understand, Dr. Green. Not a single detail will leak.I'll take care of it right away," the director said, then hurried out the door.

He knew better than to breathe a word about Asclepius-people who talked too much in this world tended to disappear without à trace.

Not that it mattered. He'd never even seen Asclepius himself. Even if someone tried to pry it out of him,he had nothing concrete to offer. There was no way he'd mention Landon's secret contact, either. A blessing could turn into a curse in an instant; one rumor, and chaos would descend.

He hadn't climbed to the top of Oticester's medical world by being reckless.

Inside the hospital, chaos buzzed through the hallways.

"If this young woman hadn't stepped in with first aid,there's no way the little girl would have survived the trip here!"

"Quick, boring her into the ER!"

The medical team rushed the child away,disappearing behind swinging doors as every second counted.

Emilia paced the hallway, nerves fraying as she waited for Landon's call.

The child's injuries were so grave that not a single doctor in Oticester dared take on the operation. Suddenly, a loud thud startled her.

The elderly man-his clothes soaked in blood-collapsed to his knees in front of Emilia,eyes swimming with tears. "Thank you, miss. If you hadn't stepped in, my great-granddaughter would be-"

"Please, you don't need to do this," Emilia said quickly, reaching to help him up.

Before he could say another word, the ER doors burst open.

"We're sorry. The injuries are too complex. We don't have anyone here who can perform the surgery..."

The news hit the old man like a sledgehammer.

"Doctor, please! I'll pay anything-just save her.I have money, whatever you want!" He broke down,pleading desperately as the medical staff exchanged helpless glances.

"It isn't about money," the doctor said softly. "We simply don't have the expertise for this case. We wish we could do more, but..." No doctor ever wanted to give up, but this was beyond their reach.

Emilia stepped in, her tone urgent. "Is Dr. Landon Green in the building? Please, could you ask the director to bring him here?"

The staff exchanged startled glances. None of them had heard that Landon was actually in the hospital today. All they knew was that someone important was paying a visit. CouId it really be Landon himself?

Within the medical word, Landon was a revered figure. Every doctor and nurse secretly dreamed of crossing paths with him.

But none of them knew for certain if Landon was actually on site today-and even if he was, who among them had the nerve to disturb him?

A nurse turned to Emilia, uncertain. "You must realize Dr. Green isn't easily called upon. Hle's practically retired, and even the most influential people struggle to get him to show up-let alone folks like us..."

As the minutes ticked by, Emilia looked for an opening so she could slip past the crowd and try calling Landon one more time.

"I am..." Feeling backed into a corner, the old man was ready to reveal who he was just to get straight to the director and ask Landon for help.

Before he got the words fully out, someone shouted,their tone sharp and impatient.

"Why are all of you standing around here?"