Chapter 426

Evelyn's chest constricted as she realized her face must be equally covered in those angry red welts. With a defeated exhale, she forced herself upright and grabbed a surgical mask. At least this would spare others the horror of her current state.

She had just settled back against the pillows when the hospital room door burst open with an ominous creak. In walked Leonard and Nathan.

"Evelyn, what happened?" Leonard demanded, his cane striking the floor rapidly as he hurried to her bedside. Deep worry lines etched across his forehead.

Evelyn blinked in surprise. "Leonard... I mean, Mr. Grant? What are you doing here?" She fumbled over the address, quickly correcting herself as if remembering something important.

Nathan's expression darkened instantly, his jaw clenching. "Mr. Grant?" It seemed Evelyn was determined to put distance between herself and his father—and by extension, him.

Leonard's eyebrows shot up, his exasperation palpable. "I heard you collapsed during surgery! Do you know how terrifying that was? I nearly had a stroke rushing over here."

Evelyn offered a weak smile, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry for worrying you."

"But as you can see, I'm perfectly fine."

Leonard's face clouded over, his voice rising. "Fine? Look at yourself! Covered in hives, struggling to breathe, and you call this fine? You knew you were having an allergic reaction yet insisted on finishing that surgery! What were you thinking? The attending physician said if you'd arrived even thirty seconds later, you might not have made it!"

His grip on the cane tightened. The memory of how close Evelyn had come to death still shook him. She clearly didn't value her own life enough.

Evelyn shifted uncomfortably. "It wasn't that serious. I've had reactions like this before. I know my limits. That patient's life was hanging by a thread—if I'd left, they might have died. I couldn't just abandon them."

Leonard's eyes blazed with frustration. "You think you know your limits? That's dangerously naive! Every situation is different. What if this time had been worse? What if you'd died? You're so focused on saving others that you completely disregard yourself. Do you have any idea how terrified I was?" His voice cracked with emotion.

Evelyn's defiance wavered, her gaze dropping to the sheets. "You're right. I'm sorry. I was wrong, and I promise it won't happen again. Please don't be too upset—it's not good for your health."

Leonard shook his head, releasing a long, weary sigh. "You... You'll be the death of me one day."

An uncomfortable silence settled over the room, broken only by the steady beep of hospital monitors. Nathan, who had remained silent at the foot of the bed, studied Evelyn intently.