Chapter 326

A shiver raced down Isabella's spine, forcing her to take an involuntary step back.

Under the intense scrutiny of the gathered crowd, Seraphina moved toward her with effortless grace. Even in heels, Isabella stood a full head shorter than Seraphina.

It wasn’t just the height difference—it was the sheer dominance Seraphina exuded without saying a word. Isabella felt insignificant, like a shadow in her presence.

"What do you want?" Isabella's face paled.

"Answering a question that's been eating at you," Seraphina replied coolly. She pulled off her surgical cap, letting her hair tumble down in a cascade of elegance. "Your precious Nathaniel is out of danger. No need to keep praying."

Then she leaned in, her whisper sharp as a blade. "Though, if you'd just asked me, it would’ve saved you the trouble. Since he got hurt because of me, I was the one who fixed him. His life is my responsibility now. You can stop worrying."

Isabella's shoulders trembled, her cheeks burning with humiliation. The realization that Seraphina had overheard her earlier words twisted like a knife in her gut.

Before she could retaliate, Daniel cut in, eyes sparkling with admiration. "Seraphina, you can perform surgeries too?"

"Obviously. Did you think a donkey did it?" Seraphina wiped the sweat from her brow, exhaustion clear in her voice. She wasn’t in the mood for idle chatter.

"No, no! I mean—you're incredible. Absolutely brilliant!" Daniel fumbled for words.

"If you'd paid attention in school, you'd have a better vocabulary for compliments," she shot back, shaking her head. She couldn’t fathom why Olivia was interested in someone so inelegant.

Isabella seethed, wishing she could silence Daniel permanently.

Then, hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.

"Chairman Reginald! President Kingsley! I just heard of your arrival—forgive my delay in greeting you!" Mr. Whitmore, the hospital dean, rushed forward with his deputy and two specialists, his tone dripping with deference.

"No need for formalities, Mr. Whitmore. We didn’t want to disrupt your work," Reginald replied warmly, devoid of arrogance.

"Ah, Mr. Whitmore, allow me to introduce my daughter, Seraphina!" Reginald beamed, seizing the chance to show off his prodigy like a peacock flaunting its feathers. "You won’t believe it—my daughter is a surgical genius! She just led a ten-hour operation!"

Kingsley and Daniel both stiffened at the term "lead surgeon."

Mr. Whitmore and the deputy dean exchanged stunned glances. "Chairman Reginald... she's your daughter?"

Reginald frowned. "What kind of question is that? If she’s not mine, is she yours?"

"No, no! I mean—do you even know who your daughter is?"

Reginald blinked. "Know what?"

Mr. Whitmore inhaled deeply, then announced with reverence, "Her skills are legendary. She’s the renowned Dr. Eve!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd. The Sinclair heiress—already a masterful hotelier and design prodigy—was also a miracle doctor?

Unbelievable!

Harrison and Frederick stood frozen. As men of influence, they knew Dr. Eve’s reputation well.

Her surgical prowess was unmatched. To have her operate was considered divine intervention.

Yet Dr. Eve was an enigma—never revealing her identity, never granting interviews. Only a select few, like Kingsley and Mr. Whitmore, knew the truth.

The Sinclair heiress was Dr. Eve.

Frederick was speechless, struggling to process the revelation.

The quiet girl who had lived under his roof for three years—this was who she truly was?

A crushing wave of loss and inadequacy washed over him. He’d never find another daughter as extraordinary as Seraphina.

Seraphina sighed, a wry smile touching her lips. "You weren’t supposed to tell my father. I asked you to keep it quiet."

"Ms. Seraphina, you’ve saved this hospital countless times these past three years. How could I keep such news from Chairman Reginald? Even if the world doesn’t know, your father deserves to!" Mr. Whitmore’s eyes shone with admiration.

"You little rascal."

Reginald was torn between pride and irritation. He wanted to scold her but couldn’t bring himself to. Instead, he pinched her cheek. "Hiding this from your own father? Do you need a spanking?"

"Reginald! There are people here!" Seraphina hissed, her face flushing crimson.

"Grandpa..."

Harrison’s eyes brimmed with tears as he approached, gripping her shoulders as if she might vanish. No matter how long he looked, it wasn’t enough. "Seraphina, I’m sorry. The Vanderbilt Group failed you."

"Grandpa, what are you saying? Don’t talk like that."

"No. Our family wronged you."

The weight of his regret pressed down on him. He couldn’t let go. "What do I do? I don’t want anyone else near my grandson. No one but you can be my granddaughter! I’m being selfish, shameless—but I don’t care! I want you, Seraphina!"

Reginald scowled, ready to intervene, but Kingsley held him back.

"Grandpa, you’re acting like a child," Seraphina muttered, her cheeks pink.

At that moment, she was the sun—everyone adored her, worshipped her.

And on the outskirts, ignored and forgotten, Isabella stood with a face like death. Even her own brother didn’t spare her a glance.

Harrison’s words were daggers in her heart, each syllable twisting deeper. The pain and hatred coiled inside her, fueling fantasies of Seraphina’s demise—over and over again.