Chapter 3

At last, some people in the live stream began to feel uneasy.

"Is this for real? That guy's life is at stake!"

"Isn't this going too far? This isn't just a punishment anymore. It's a serious crime!"

The people on the observation deck also seemed worried that things might go awry.

"Dr. Sonnet, his vital signs are starting to drop. If this continues…"

Staring at my colorless face on the monitor, Samantha replied frostily, "He's incredibly tough, so this won't be enough to kill him! If it weren't for his endless greed and hostility toward Nicholas, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation. This is just a little punishment. If he survives it, then that's his fate. If he dies, then it's well-deserved!"

By now, many netizens were urging me to submit and beg for mercy. But I hadn't done anything wrong. So why should I?

With the last remaining dregs of my willpower, I started to struggle once more. Mustering all the strength I could, I rammed the so-called surgeon's arm away, causing the scalpel to drop to the ground with a clatter.

I ripped off some of the sensors monitoring my vitals and, before anyone could react, rolled off the surgical table. Using the wall for support, I yanked away the rest of the wires.

Not a hint of submission was in my gaze as I turned to look straight at the cameras.

Blood seeped from my wound, sliding down my skin to form a small puddle of bright red at my feet.

The live stream chat fell momentarily silent, everyone astounded at the turn of events. Moments later, the comments came flooding in again.

"That gaze is utterly ruthless! He genuinely doesn't seem to fear death!"

"Dr. Sonnet, things are going out of control, aren't they? Not only is he refusing to beg, but he's even throwing threats around!"

"Who said he was shocked silly just now? He clearly looks ready to fight to the death for his freedom!"

The laughter from the observation deck abruptly ceased.

Gripping the microphone so tightly her fingers turned white, Samantha hollered, "Henry, don't take my kindness for granted! It's still not too late for you to beg me now. If you stay this stubborn, what I'm about to release won't show any mercy!"

I found her words laughable. If I hadn't fought as though my life depended on it, I would already be bound to that surgical table and cut open like a fish!

"Samantha, we all know mercy was never on the table. All you want is to harvest my organs and take my life!"

Nicholas suddenly let out a mock gasp of surprise.

"Henry, why have you ripped off your patient gown?"

It was only then that everyone noticed what he was pointing out. In my struggle, the patient gown had slipped from my body; I was essentially naked. Only clotted blood and dust gave me the barest shred of modesty.

Samantha's face flushed a bright red.

"Henry, Nicholas once said it was in your nature to be obscene, but I hadn't believed him! You… You're practically naked in front of so many cameras! Don't you feel the slightest bit of shame?"

She disregarded my dignity entirely, continuing her barrage of harsh words.

"Was this your plan all along? To use such a method to seduce others? What? Did the feeling of being tied to an icy surgical table and cut open excite you? How obscene of you!"

Rage boiled in me at her words, and I bellowed at the one-way glass.

"Samantha Sonnet, what did I ever do to you? Without me supporting you from the shadows all these years, your hospital would've gone bankrupt long ago! You, of all people, have no right to accuse me of anything!"

Five years! For five entire years, I had secretly helped her by using my resources, even though she never knew. Even a dog would've formed a bond with someone in that time!

Samantha's face briefly contorted, but then she scoffed.

"Help me? What else have you ever given me, other than that surgical atlas? Back then, you were just a broke nobody with nothing to your name! Don't think you have the right to negotiate with me now! And stop trying to gild yourself!"

Nicholas gleefully exacerbated the situation.

"Samantha, maybe the anesthesia hasn't worn off yet, or maybe Henry is just under immense psychological pressure. That's why he's starting to hallucinate and speak nonsense."

The others in the observation room were quick to agree.

"This Henry guy really is quite tough, huh?"

"I honestly thought he wasn't going to make it. Who would've expected that it was all an act?"

Thoroughly infuriated, Samantha seethed. "Seems like you still don't understand your predicament and won't change unless drastic measures are taken!"