Chapter 432

"Mom! Stop that!" Evelyn gasped in horror, bolting upright to seize Grace's wrist. "It was an accident. Why are you punishing yourself like this?"

Eleanor glared at Grace. "Grace, you must break this cycle of self-blame. You always do this when something goes wrong."

Grace pressed her lips into a thin line, remaining silent.

Eleanor continued firmly, "You can't hold yourself accountable. None of us knew about Evelyn's artichoke allergy. You shouldn't torture yourself for something you couldn't have known."

Grace's frown deepened. "But thinking about her collapsing during that surgery... I just can't—"

She paused, then continued with visible remorse. "If I hadn't made that breakfast, she wouldn't have had the allergic reaction. She fainted right in the middle of performing surgery and couldn't complete it successfully."

Her voice broke. "It was her first time leading as a surgeon! I... I can't stop blaming myself—"

Before Grace could continue, Evelyn interrupted, "Mom, please don't. I did complete the surgery successfully."

"What?" Grace's expression shifted dramatically.

Then realization dawned. She quickly schooled her features and asked suspiciously, "How could you have finished? Nathan told your grandmother you collapsed during the procedure. Evelyn, are you just saying this to make me feel better?"

Evelyn froze momentarily.

She hadn't expected Nathan would have shared those details with Eleanor.

Recovering quickly, she explained, "Yes, I did faint, but only after I'd pushed through to complete the surgery. The operation was successful."

"You... You foolish girl!" Grace's voice rose sharply, frustration etching her features. "You knew you were unwell yet chose to continue instead of getting help! Do you have no regard for your own safety?"

Grace's chest heaved with barely contained anger.

"She's right, Evelyn. That was dangerously reckless. Your health should always come first," Eleanor said, shaking her head disapprovingly.

Evelyn felt compelled to defend her actions. "The patient was critical. There wasn't time to call another surgeon."

"I've had allergic reactions before and knew I could last long enough. See? I'm fine now, aren't I?"

"You were playing Russian roulette with your life! You'll be the death of me!" Grace exclaimed, her anger palpable.