Chapter 67
Jessica, sensing the escalating tension, quickly intervened, pulling down Luna's sleeves in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. "Luna, let's cool down, alright? No need to get fired up…" Her voice trembled, close to tears. The thought of a fight between the two filled Jessica with anxiety: The entertainment headlines tomorrow will explode! Their intense glares were almost tangible; Jessica could feel the tension crackling between them.
It was terrifying whenever these two crossed paths, her heart pounding. Just as Jessica braced for a physical altercation, a frantic voice called from the doorway. "Doctor! Quick! Someone save the patient!" Another voice echoed, "Are you okay? Doctor, we need help over here!"
Charles, abandoning his argument with Luna, spun around and raced towards the door. The consultation room door swung open. Luna swiftly donned a mask, and she and Jessica hurried after him. Outside, a crowd had already gathered around an elderly man in a black suit, lying on the ground, his face a grim blue-gray, clutching his chest in agony. His dark purplish-black lips twitched, but no sound escaped.
The previously arrogant Charles knelt beside the man, rummaged through his pockets, and found a small medicine bottle. After checking the label, he quickly administered the medication and began CPR. Even while performing CPR, he managed to call for help: "Fourth floor, outpatient department, cardiology. We've got a critical patient. Hurry!" He let his phone fall to the ground, his entire focus on the elderly man. His earlier cocky demeanor had vanished completely.
Hospital staff arrived, pushing a stretcher. "Make way, please," the medical team announced. The onlookers dispersed, allowing the team to reach the man. He was lifted onto the stretcher, with Charles continuing CPR and barking orders, "Nitroglycerin injection, now!" A team of doctors and nurses whisked the stretcher toward the operating room, the crowd watching in stunned silence.
Luna's gaze fell on the dropped phone. She picked it up. For someone so scatterbrained, she thought, he handled the emergency with calm precision. Maybe I misjudged him, she mused.
Jessica, too, was awestruck. Admiration shone in her eyes as she murmured, "Wow… He really is a top-tier cardiothoracic surgeon." She immediately froze. Wait… Luna didn't even like Charles… Nervously glancing at Luna, and seeing no reaction, Jessica nudged her playfully. "Luna, didn't you think Charles looked really handsome just now?"
Luna pocketed the phone silently. Then, flicking Jessica on the forehead, she snorted, "Handsome, my foot. Don't go getting crushes on every guy you see." I didn't even see his face. What's so handsome about that? she thought.
Jessica chuckled sheepishly, not arguing. Luna glanced towards the emergency room and said decisively, "Come on, let's go see what happens."
Outside the Operating Room
This part of the hospital was considerably quieter than the outpatient clinic. A few people sat scattered on chairs, waiting. Luna, though waiting, wasn't idle; she sat reading a script intently. Jessica watched her with concern. "Luna, why don't you take a break? You're already at the hospital, and you're still working?" She offered Luna a drink from a thermos.
Luna took a sip, soothing her throat, and replied softly, "We're about to start filming. If I don't stay on top of things, I won't have enough time." Jessica, knowing it was futile to argue, fell silent.
Just as Luna was engrossed in her script, Jessica nudged her. "What is it?" Luna asked. Jessica gestured towards the operating room door. A man in his fifties, with graying hair, stood there in a white coat. His masked face was obscured, but his eyes radiated a kind yet authoritative presence. However, he held a bamboo stick, and his expression was furious.
Jessica whispered nervously, "What's he going to do with that?" Luna shook her head, equally perplexed. The operating room door opened, and Charles emerged, only to be immediately greeted by the bamboo stick whacking his behind.
"Ouch!" Charles exclaimed. The older man seethed, continuing his assault. "I told you not to argue with your patients, didn't I? And you're at it again!" Charles yelped, hopping around, clutching his rear. It must have been that woman who complained, he thought. If I catch her, she's going to regret it.
The older man, panting slightly, pointed the bamboo stick at Charles. "One thing at a time; let me deal with you first!" He continued to whack his son.
Luna chuckled, squinting. Just watching this makes me feel the pain, she thought. Jessica shrank back, startled. Dr. Kessler's dad is terrifying, she thought.
Amidst dodging another blow, Charles spotted Luna. His anger flared. Pointing at her, he shouted, "It was you, wasn't it? I knew you'd sell me out!" The bamboo stick descended again. Luna's expression darkened. Did this guy really just accuse me of snitching? Any positive impression she had evaporated instantly.
She stood, slamming the script onto the chair. Rolling up her sleeves, she planted her hands on her hips and retorted, "You think I'd bother reporting you? How dare you slander me!" There's a limit to what I can tolerate, she thought.
David, chest heaving, scolded his son again. "You brat! This has nothing to do with her—I saw it all on the clinic's cameras!"
Jessica panicked, grabbing Luna's arm. "Luna, please, just let it go…" To keep tomorrow's headlines from exploding, she thought desperately, I have to hold her back.
The scene descended into chaos. Even onlookers intervened to break up the impending fight. But Luna's anger was uncontainable. If I don't beat this jerk until he's begging for mercy, I won't be called Luna! she thought.
She roared, "Charles, you're not getting away with this today!" But as she lunged, a heavy weight pressed on her chest. Breathing became difficult. She clutched her chest, her strength fading as the world darkened. She collapsed, losing consciousness.
Jessica's face went pale. "Luna!" she cried.