The room was dark. She said, "How am I supposed to treat anyone in the dark?"
Shane, hearing a woman's voice, pulled a discarded jacket over his face and said coldly, "Turn on the light."
Henry flipped the switch, and the room was instantly illuminated.
Callie felt a vague sense of familiarity with the voice but didn't dwell on it. She saw the man lying on the bed; the bloodstains on his white shirt had dried, turning dark red.
She didn't scrutinize him further; she was there to treat his wounds.
It was clear the man didn't want his identity known, and she knew better than to pry.
She placed the medical kit on the table and opened it, taking out medical scissors to cut away the fabric around the injury.
Soon, she saw the wound, which had been roughly bandaged with gauze. She cut away the gauze to reveal two knife wounds on his right side.
She set the scissors aside and began cleaning the wounds professionally. With calm and swift movements, she asked, "Are you allergic to anesthesia?"
After examining the wound, she concluded that it wasn't deep and hadn't damaged any internal structures, but it still required stitches.
This meant local anesthesia was necessary.
Her voice was so composed, a stark contrast to the panic she had shown the previous night.
So, even as Shane listened to her, he didn't detect anything unusual.
Confident in her medical skills, he responded coolly, "No."
Callie prepared the anesthetic and injected it around the area that needed stitching.
Two minutes later, as the anesthesia took effect, she began the suturing process.
An hour later, the procedure was complete.
It was impressively quick.
Her hands were stained with blood. "I need to wash up."
"There's a bathroom downstairs. Go ahead," Henry said.
She walked out.
Once she was downstairs, Henry closed the door and approached Shane.
"I've found out that the people last night were sent by Dina. It seems she went berserk after you removed all her spies from the company and tried to kill you."
Shane sat up on the edge of the bed, his clothes disheveled and looking quite battered. Yet, despite his seemingly weakened state, he exuded an astonishingly sharp aura.
He lifted his gaze, his eyes dark and deep. "Does Dina have anything to do with that woman who came in?"
Henry paused for a moment and then whispered, "Yes, I found out she had contact with Rafael. It's quite suspicious. Rafael specifically asked for you to marry her instead of Damian. It's clear she's been up to something."
"She's given me so many big 'gifts' one after another. If I don't return the favor, it would seem like I don't understand the concept of reciprocity." He had just gone abroad for some business, and someone had taken advantage of his absence to stir up so much trouble.
His expression was indifferent, but the chilling coldness in his eyes was unmistakable. "I heard Damian is running a club called 'Enigma' on Central Avenue."
Henry immediately understood. "They no longer have a place in the company, so they're relying on the income from that club. If we take it down, their future will be bleak."
"Go ahead," Shane said softly.
As Henry walked downstairs, he saw Callie about to come up.
Henry knew Gabriel must have given her strict instructions, both as a reminder and a warning. "If today's events get out, you'll regret it deeply."
If the news of Shane getting hurt reached Dina and Damian, they would definitely seize the opportunity to cause more trouble.
"I won't," Callie said, her head lowered. "I'll just take the medical kit and leave."
When she went upstairs, she saw the man with his back to the door. His blood-stained shirt had been removed, revealing a lean, broad back. His waist was narrow, without any excess fat, connecting seamlessly to his firm, well-defined hips. His physique was balanced and upright, exuding a subtle sense of strength.
"Aren't you leaving?" The man didn't turn around, but he seemed to sense her gaze. His voice was lazy, tinged with a hint of mockery.
Callie quickly lowered her head, realizing she had been staring at his body!
She lowered her eyes as she walked over to pack up the medical kit, not forgetting her duties as a doctor. "The wound shouldn't get wet for now. Disinfect it once a day, and try to wear loose clothing to avoid irritating the wound."
She placed the medications down. "This one is for oral use, and this one is for external application."
Shane didn't turn around, merely responding with a faint "Hmm."
Callie didn't say much more either. She picked up her medical kit and walked out.
She hailed a cab back to the hospital, and it was almost eleven o'clock by the time she arrived. She grabbed a bite to eat at the hospital cafeteria. Just as she returned to her department, the director called her into his office.
"I've decided to send Belinda Ayers to the training at the Second Military District General Hospital," the director said, his expression serious, as if it was difficult for him to tell her the decision.
Callie was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "Wasn't I supposed to go?"
"You know, all those high-tech medical devices in our hospital were donated by Skyreach Corporation. President Robinson asked me to look after Dr. Ayers, and I can't refuse him."
Hearing Shane's name made Callie a bit nervous. Although she had become Shane Robinson's wife with the approval of both families, the two of them had never officially met.
She had only seen him in financial magazines and on TV.
He and Belinda?
Callie felt a pang in her heart but maintained a calm face "Is that so?" she asked.
"Yes, we have full confidence in your professionalism and medical skills," the director reassured her. Among the young doctors, she was the one he appreciated the most.
Callie lowered her eyes. "I understand."
She knew that as the wife forced upon him, she was insignificant and would never hold a place in his heart.
"I have a surgery this afternoon, so I'll be leaving now," she said.
She knew deep down that there was nothing she could do to change this situation.
The director sighed and let her go about her work.
By the afternoon, after two surgeries, she was utterly exhausted. She washed her hands, took off her blue surgical gown, and sat down to rest.
Belinda walked in.
"Dr. Norris," she said with a smile. "How about I treat you to dinner?"
"I have other plans," Callie politely declined. She and Belinda were not particularly close but merely colleagues.
They had graduated from the same university, the same year.
But Belinda had a strong, competitive personality. She loved being in the spotlight and comparing herself to others.
Callie, on the other hand, preferred to be quiet and enjoyed reading. They were simply not on the same wavelength.
That's why they never became friends.
"I see," Belinda replied, looking troubled.
"Actually, I need to talk to you about something."
Callie stood up to hang her coat, not looking at her. "Go ahead."
For some reason, knowing that Belinda had a connection with Shane made Callie want to distance herself even more.
"You've probably heard by now, right? I'm really sorry, I didn't know the director would..."
"It's fine," Callie interrupted her.
Belinda lowered her eyes, her gaze shifting. "Also, about me not being at the hospital last night, could you keep that a secret? I'm about to start an internship at the General Hospital, and I don't want any complications."
The excuse seemed a bit weak.
Callie knew Belinda liked to play these kinds of games and said, "I won't say anything."
Covering a shift for a colleague was a common affair. Everyone had emergencies from time to time.