Chapter 1

The surgery had been going on for nine hours.

I gripped the needle holder, preparing for the most crucial part—the coronary artery anastomosis.

The patient on the operating table was Devan Williams, chairman of Astra Group, who had been shot during a speech at the financial summit.

His company had just broken through international tech barriers with its semiconductor industry, making him an important figure for the nation's pillar.

The bullet had gone through his heart. The situation was as critical as it could get.

In all of Eldermoor, I was the only one who could perform this surgery.

Sweat trickled down my forehead and splattered onto my mask.

Just as I was about to insert the needle, the heavy lead door of the operating room was violently pushed open.

Blinding light and noise flooded in.

My girlfriend, Katie Wilder, barged in with a man dressed in an expensive suit.

I recognized him instantly. He was Luke Rivera, Katie's childhood friend, who had just returned from abroad.

He was boasting loudly to her, his voice dripping with barely concealed arrogance.

"Don't worry. The Williams family's rivals have promised me. If Devan dies on this operating table, they will double their investment. The hospital execs are on my side. They'll protect me if anything goes wrong."

Katie looked at him with admiration, then yelled toward me, "Ashton! Stop for a second!"

My hand trembled, and the needle pricked through my glove.

"Get out!" My voice was hoarse from hours without water.

The operating room was a sterile environment, and they had just barged in dressed in regular clothes. They were basically playing with the patient's life.

Luke raised his chin, holding up a silver metal box. His gaze was a raw display of feverish obsession. "Ashton, I know you're the authority in cardiovascular surgery, but times have changed. Stop using those outdated methods."

He patted the box. "This is our company's latest invention—a fully bioengineered heart valve. It's 100 times better than the pig and cow valves you use. Just use this today. Consider this a favor to me and a chance to save Mr. Williams Senior's life."

I stared at him, unable to believe how crazy he was. "This is a heart transplant, not a valve replacement. By the way, does your so-called new product have clinical trial reports? Has it been approved by the FDA?"

Luke scoffed. "Ashton, don't be so ungrateful."

I didn't waste another word with him. I growled at the terrified nurse standing by, "Call security!"

But Katie suddenly rushed over, grabbed my arm, and shook it violently. "Ashton Howard, what's your problem? Why are you being so harsh?"

She made it sound like I was the unreasonable one.

"Luke is just trying to help the patient! Besides, he said if this works, he'll get the investment. Then, we can get married, and you'll have the money for a villa downtown. Doesn't that sound good?"