Chapter 2 The Doctor's Return

Just then, Harrison appeared beside Mandy, carrying a pale four-year-old girl in his arms. Despite holding the child, his tall figure and cold demeanor remained impossible to ignore.

"Harrison." Mandy quickly suppressed her uneasiness.

Harrison gave her a cold glance, his voice low and detached. "Are you certain Dr. Ella Johnson is on this flight?"

Mandy nodded, her tone confident. "Yes, I've confirmed with my contact. Dr. Johnson is definitely on this flight. Harrison, don't worry. She's an excellent doctor. Once we find her, Lily will be saved."

As she finished speaking, her gaze fell on the little girl in Harrison's arms, her eyes revealing a hint of undisguised disgust.

Lily seemed to sense Mandy's stare, her small body instinctively shrinking closer into her father's embrace.

Mandy observed Lily, thinking how this child had always been like an untamable little creature—despite years of effort, she had never managed to win her affection.

For the past four years, Mandy had pretended to care about Lily's health, tending to her daily needs, frequently taking her to doctors. If Lily wasn't the key to her becoming Mrs. Frost, Mandy wouldn't waste time trying to win her favor.

Though Lily clearly rejected her, Mandy forced a smile and extended her arms toward Lily.

"Lily, come to mommy for a hug," she said softly.

Hearing Mandy's words, a wave of instinctive fear and resistance washed over Lily, and she immediately clung tightly to Harrison's neck.

"I want Daddy to hold me," she said in her childish voice.

Harrison gently stroked her back, his eyes filled with love.

Lily needed a mother's love, but Mandy seemed unable to truly enter her heart.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Don't be afraid. Daddy's here." He comforted her, then looked coldly at Mandy.

"Lily is still very young. She doesn't want you to hold her, don't force her," he said firmly. "Now, finding Dr. Johnson is your primary task."

Just as he finished speaking, his assistant Simon hurried over with a phone in hand.

"Mr. Frost, the hospital called. Dr. Johnson has already arrived at Westland General Hospital."

Mandy's expression changed dramatically.

"What? We've been waiting here all this time, and she went directly to the hospital?" Mandy had assured Harrison that Ella would be on this flight. Missing her would surely displease Harrison.

Simon awkwardly glanced at Mandy, waiting for Harrison's instructions.

After a moment, Harrison gave the order. "Go to the hospital."

Meanwhile, Elena, who had already arrived at the hospital, was reviewing Zander's father's test results and surgical plan with Nathan.

Nathan stood beside her, explaining, "Elena, this surgery is too complex, and I'm limited in my abilities. Considering the patient's advanced age, I'm not confident I can handle it properly. That's why I asked you to come back and lead it."

While examining the documents, Elena responded professionally, "I understand. Such cases are indeed rare domestically, and the surgery is quite challenging. Tell the operating room we'll begin in thirty minutes. You'll be my assistant." Back in her familiar professional domain, Elena felt a long-absent sense of confidence and control.

Nathan immediately nodded. "Of course. It's my honor to assist you."

Elena had spent years abroad refining her medical skills. Her expertise was not only top-tier domestically but also internationally acclaimed. However, she maintained a low profile, practicing medicine under the name Ella Johnson, becoming a legend in the medical community.

If not for her connection with Nathan as former classmates, she wouldn't have dared take Zander's father's case.

After completing all pre-surgical preparations, Elena instructed her children before entering the operating room:

"Connor, Mia, I need you two to wait quietly in the rest area. This surgery will take a long time, so please behave," she said gently. "Once it's over, your godmother will come for us. If you need anything, ask the hospital staff, they'll help you."

Both children nodded obediently. Connor had his laptop, while Mia held a high-performance smartphone, both engrossed in their devices.

Connor waved. "Mom, don't worry about us. I'll take care of Mia." Though young, he already understood his mother's struggles and concerns.

Elena looked at them with satisfaction. Despite her busy work and financial pressures, her children were exceptionally independent, which was her blessing.

After settling the children, Elena entered the operating room.

Meanwhile, Harrison and Mandy's group arrived at the hospital. Upon learning that Dr. Johnson had entered the operating room, Harrison grew anxious.

As the controller of a business empire, he was accustomed to having everything under control, but his daughter's health issues made him feel unprecedented helplessness.

Lily was born with a mild heart condition. For years, he had taken her to hospitals domestically and internationally, yet no one dared perform surgery on her. Having heard of Ella's skills, he hoped for her help, but had repeatedly missed her.

Sensing Harrison's unease, Mandy cautiously asked, "Harrison, what do we do now?"

Harrison looked at her impatiently: "What else can we do but wait?" His tone concealed a hint of irritation.

"What if she doesn't come out for hours? Are we just going to wait here? She's just a doctor—isn't that rather arrogant?" Mandy complained.

Harrison glared at her with displeasure: "Mandy, mind your words. She's not 'just a doctor'—she's one of the top international surgeons. Lily's operation depends entirely on her," he sternly reminded her. "We're talking about our daughter's health. Don't you care at all?"

A real mother who cared for her child would never show such disregard for a doctor who could save her child's life.