Chapter 8

The crowd gasped and instinctively stepped back, creating a wide berth around Raj Patel and Evelyn Hartley.

Nathan Black observed Evelyn handling the medical emergency with practiced precision, his thoughts drifting. It suddenly struck him—she'd completed her medical degree before switching to biomedical research.

Just then, Ethan Caldwell arrived with the emergency kit, breathless. "The medical supplies, Miss Hartley!"

Efficient hands unzipped the case, retrieving antiseptic, sterile gauze, and a preloaded syringe. Evelyn saturated a cotton pad with disinfectant, swabbing an area near Raj's left pectoral muscle.

As she prepared the injection, a shrill voice pierced the tension.

"Stop right there!" Serena Cole pushed forward, eyes flashing. "Who authorized you to play doctor? This isn't some back-alley clinic—that's a human life you're gambling with!"

Evelyn's fingers stilled. She turned slowly, frost in her gaze. "Unless you hold a medical license, I suggest you let qualified personnel handle this."

Serena's mouth opened in outrage when Olivia Sinclair intervened.

"Nathan! Rein in your... acquaintance." The steel in Olivia's voice matched her glacial stare. "If her interference costs Raj critical seconds, I'll personally ensure she faces consequences."

Nathan said nothing, but the arctic glare he leveled at Serena spoke volumes. The venomous socialite shriveled under his regard, biting her painted lip until it blanched.

Ethan addressed the room with authority. "For those unaware, Evelyn has accepted a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Royal Crest Medical Center. The Caldwell family guarantees her credentials. Any objections?"

Murmurs rippled through the gathering. Royal Crest wasn't just the top cardiac hospital in Eldoria—it ranked among the world's elite institutions.

Priya Sharma's face transformed with hope. She grasped Evelyn's wrist. "Please. Save my husband."

Evelyn gave a single decisive nod. Without hesitation, she positioned the needle at the fifth intercostal space along the midclavicular line and administered the injection.

A collective breath held as the plunger depressed.

The arrival of the house physician almost went unnoticed until guests urgently shushed him. Taking in the scene, the doctor froze—then watched Evelyn's technique with widening eyes.

"What's she—" a guest began whispering.

"Pericardiocentesis," the doctor murmured reverently. "That's textbook emergency procedure for cardiac tamponade."

Silence descended like a shroud as Evelyn maintained steady pressure on the syringe. Beads of sweat formed at her temples, the only sign of the immense pressure.

Then—Raj's labored breathing eased. His ashen lips regained color.

A monitor someone had produced began beeping in a strong, regular rhythm.

The doctor exhaled sharply. "She just saved his life."

Priya collapsed to her knees in relieved sobs. Olivia clasped Evelyn's shoulder with rare emotion. Even Nathan's typically impassive expression showed a flicker of... something.

Serena, meanwhile, had turned the shade of spoiled milk. As discreetly as possible, she melted into the crowd—but not before shooting Evelyn a look of pure venom.

Evelyn barely noticed. She was already rattling off post-procedure instructions to the medical team now swarming Raj. Only when they wheeled him toward the waiting ambulance did she finally slump against a pillar, adrenaline crash hitting hard.

That's when a tumbler of whiskey appeared in her line of sight. She followed the extended arm up to Nathan's unreadable face.

"Drink," he ordered. "You've earned it."

Across the room, Ethan watched the exchange with narrowed eyes. His phone was already dialing Royal Crest's chief of surgery. Someone needed to hear about tonight's events—immediately.