And if the Soranos knew that it was Gene Pearce''s lover who operated on their retainer, Winter was going down even quicker.


    Such was the trap Paco set for Winter-damned if you do, damned if you don''t.


    He sneered, as he believed it was impossible for Winter to save Gus Zeller.


    Before Winter arrived, he had examined Gus-the man''s bones were broken all over and he had lost one arm, while his organs were bleeding. Even his heart rate was dangerously low.


    To Paco, experienced as he may be, Gus could well have been run over by a train.


    He was a dead man walking, and things would get very bad for anyone who takes his case.


    And it just so happened that Paco could use it against his new chief, who was just starting her first day.


    "No matter how unusual the circumstances are, saving the patient is top priority," Winter said, clearly more determined than Paco expected.


    She pushed Paco out of the way and led her bestie Jean Zims toward the surgical table.


    Even if she spent days practicing with many patients thanks to Frank, she was still left gasping at the patient on the table.


    Jean appeared at a loss beside her too-modern techniques like stitching wounds together might work, but there was barely a one percent chance of survival for this man. "Hehe... So? Are you sure about this, chief?"


    Paco and his assistants entered just then, grinning at Winter as she spaced out.


    "My thoughts don''t matter. I''m a doctor, and I will do my best."


    Winter wheeled on Paco, shooting him a stern look and pointed at the door. "Since you''re not helping,


    please leave this room, Dr. Nellis et


    Jean, bring me the needles Frank gave me, and ask for an anesthetist for the patient."


    She issued her instructions with smooth precision, leaving Paco so stunned it showed on his face even as he stepped outside and took off his mask.


    Still, one of his assistants was soonughing. "Hah! That brat has really overestimated herself!"


    "Yeah. Letting her take the scalpel? The Sorano retainer is as good as dead!"


    "We just have to wait anyway. The Soranos are going toe calling."


    Their scoffing left Paco sighing in relief.


    He had been a doctor for doctors-how could he be intimidated by some recent graduate?!


    "Dr. Nellis, were you listening? She was asking her assistant to bring acupoint needles!"


    "Yeah! Oh, it''s killing me... The man is half-dead, and she''s still ying around with Draconian traditional medicine!"


    "Like he''s not dying any quicker now."


    "Alright, shut up."


    Paco scowled in annoyance, looking at his assistant and snapping coldly, "Don''t you have work to do?! We will soonsee what that brat could do, but go about your business for now!" Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    The assistants had their orders, and tactfully left instead getting yelled at even more.


    Paco remained, staring at the doors of the operating room for a while.


    Soon, he snorted. "Hmph. What can some brat do anyway?"


    Shaking his head, he left as well.