Chapter 5

"Hi, Maddie. Are you busy?" Marie's voice was kind and affectionate.

Madeline couldn't help softening when she heard it. "No, I'm not. I just finished a surgery."

Marie had watched Madeline grow up and loved her like she was her own granddaughter. Madeline relied on Marie, too. To her, Marie and Shirley were the two people who loved her most.

Marie sensed the fatigue in Madeline's tone and reminded her not to push herself too hard. Then, she got to business.

"I heard about what happened between you and Isaac, Maddie. Don't worry about Rachel Livingston—I've already dealt with her on your behalf.

"I sent a group of bodyguards over to throw her things out of Isaac's apartment and chase her out. You are the only woman I'll ever consider my granddaughter-in-law!"

Madeline was taken aback when she heard this. She looked at Rachel, who was still on her knees. It turned out Marie was the one who'd chased her out.

She was moved yet also filled with bitterness. She held her phone without saying anything for a long time.

Marie sighed, her tone a little pleading as she said, "I know Isaac has taken things too far lately, but I still want you to give him another chance. He's just enchanted by that woman—he'll go back to normal once you two are married. Is it okay if I set your wedding date for next month?"

Madeline's nose prickled. Instead of answering Marie, she made an excuse to hang up. As soon as her phone screen went dark, her office door opened again.

Isaac stormed in. He hurried forward to help Rachel and Queenie up when he saw them kneeling.

His gaze was frosty as he looked at Madeline. "How old are you, Madeline? I can't believe you still like to tattle at this age. Are you happy now that you can marry me? Your manipulative side disgusts me!"

He turned away without another look at her and left with Rachel and Queenie in tow. The door slammed shut behind him.

Madeline smiled mockingly. She leaned back and shut her eyes. She would just leave things be—it wouldn't be long before she left, anyway.

…

Madeline thought she wouldn't see Isaac and Rachel again before leaving. Unexpectedly, they brought Queenie to the emergency room that very night. She was covered in blood.

The three of them had gotten into an accident, and Queenie had suffered the brunt of it.

Rachel was panicking and grabbed Madeline's hand tightly when she saw her. "You have to save Queenie, Dr. Snow!"

Madeline was the doctor on duty and had no reason to reject, so she headed to the operating theater. The surgery was minor and didn't pose much of a challenge for her. It was soon over.

Oddly enough, Queenie showed no signs of waking up despite it being past the observation period. Madeline headed to her hospital ward to check on her when she heard the news the following morning.

Isaac wasn't inside—it seemed he'd stepped out. Rachel was alone with Queenie.

When Rachel saw Madeline, her eyes reddened, and she cried, "Why hasn't Queenie woken up yet, Dr. Snow? Did you do something to her? I know you hate me, but you can't hurt my daughter!"

Madeline didn't know what the problem was and wanted to step closer to check on Queenie. However, Rachel was agitated by this and stood in her way, stopping her from getting any closer. "I've had enough of this. Don't you dare touch Queenie anymore!

"You deliberately made a mistake in the operation because you wanted to hurt her! I want a different doctor! Someone get me another doctor!"

Madeline only wanted to figure out what was wrong with Queenie, so she didn't bother arguing. She pressed the call button for the nurse's station.

Then, she looked Rachel in the eye. "It's fine if you want another doctor, but we have to find out why Queenie is still unconscious! I'm not taking the blame for making a mistake during the operation!"

When the nurse on duty arrived, Madeline instructed, "Take the patient's blood for a proper examination. Find out whether there's any possibility of the patient taking medication or other sedatives before surgery—"

That was as far as she got. Rachel cut her off and screamed, "I won't let you do that! My daughter didn't take anything before the operation, nor is she sick! You made a mistake during the operation, and that's that! What right do you have to take Queenie's blood?"

She started crying after saying that.

Madeline watched her exaggerated performance and suddenly pinpointed what about it felt off to her.