Chapter 9

"But..."

"I’ll attend Linda’s birthday banquet this weekend. Just have the suit delivered to the hospital. Thank you."

After saying that, Chris politely said goodbye, leaving Shannon standing alone on the steps.

Sunlight poured down on Chris, yet it seemed to bring him no warmth at all.

Back in the car, Chris tossed the divorce certificate onto the passenger seat and let out a cold laugh.

Five years of marriage had been more than just a mistake—it had been a joke. Who gets a divorce handled by a secretary?

In truth, Chris believed Jessica hadn’t even looked closely at the papers she signed that night—perhaps she didn’t even know they were divorced.

But what did that matter to him?

Jessica might be content to remain trapped in the past, unable to move forward, but he couldn’t be.

He had already wasted five years—he still had to keep moving forward.

Returning to the hospital, he immediately went into surgery.

The next few days were completely filled with operations, gradually helping him rediscover his old rhythm. His mentor, who had been observing him closely, was very pleased.

"I’ve heard of your name for years. When the hospital recruited you after your disappearance, I was a bit worried. But now, it’s clear—a genius is still a genius," said Prof. Rane with a nod. "Keep working hard, young man. Your future is limitless."

Chris sat beside Prof. Rane and nodded. He, too, was satisfied with his performance.

Although he hadn’t been the lead surgeon in these recent operations, he still had plenty of time on the table and didn’t feel rusty at all.

"Didn’t Jonathan reserve an exchange slot for you? Why didn’t you go?" Prof. Rane asked as he cleaned his glasses and put them back on. "I heard from your teacher that you had agreed to go abroad."

Chris replied, "Yes. I was supposed to be in the first group, but there was an issue with my passport, so I couldn’t leave for the time being. It worked out well—I got a chance to learn from you."

"I can only teach you so much. I’ve already reached the top of this field. But you—your possibilities are endless. I’m old, and your journey is just beginning. Learn well. When you come back, who knows, I might end up assisting you."

"I wouldn’t dare. I’ll step out first and let you rest."

"Alright."

Leaving the lounge, Chris immediately felt his phone vibrating.

Over the past few days, Jessica hadn’t contacted him from abroad, but Shannon had messaged him—a reminder that today was Jessica’s mother’s birthday.

Even though he and Jessica were officially divorced, and he was no longer her son-in-law, he couldn’t forget the kindness Linda had shown him over the past five years.

He also had some items to return.

He took back all the bank cards he had placed in front of his own mother’s grave—none of the money had ever been touched.

He had kept a mental record of everything the Wilder family had spent on him, and he planned to repay it, with interest, in time.

"Dr. Green, someone dropped off a suit for you. It’s in your office now," the head nurse said as she passed by him on her way to change bandages.

After changing into the suit, he drove to the Wilder family’s residence.

He used to come here often. Jessica, busy with her business, rarely returned to care for her parents—it had always been Chris who handled it.

He didn’t mind, after all, Jessica's parents treated him like their own son. Since his own parents were gone, it only made sense to care for hers.

But Sophie had always looked at him with disdain.

Eventually, Chris began to visit less frequently. Instead, Jessica’s mother would come to their home.

He parked the car in the back courtyard. The butler came to open the door, smiling as he greeted him, "Mr. Green, you’re back."

"Albert," said Chris, taking a bag from the passenger seat and handing it to the butler. "Linda mentioned your wrist pain last time. I prepared some medicinal patches—try them out."