Chapter 517

Harrison and Nathaniel stood with palpable excitement.

"We'll be right outside waiting for you!" Theodore and Victoria chimed in unison.

Isabella gave a small nod. "Understood."

Nathaniel's sharp gaze shifted to Harrison. "I'm leaving Isabella in your hands. Don't even think about pulling anything."

Truthfully, Nathaniel was still unsettled by Harrison's sudden agreement to perform the surgery. The abrupt change in attitude was suspicious, putting him on edge.

Gabrielle immediately bristled, her voice laced with irritation. "Mr. Falcon, what exactly are you insinuating? Are you threatening Harrison over Isabella?"

Rosalind, equally annoyed, added coldly, "You'll regret this."

Nathaniel's brows knitted together, his expression darkening. He ignored Gabrielle and Rosalind, keeping his focus locked on Harrison.

Harrison remained unfazed, responding with icy composure. "Relax, Mr. Falcon. Isabella, let’s go. The surgery won’t wait."

Isabella, bolstered by Nathaniel’s presence, flashed him a radiant smile. "I'm heading in now. With you here, Harrison wouldn’t dare try anything!"

With Nathaniel backing her, Isabella felt invincible—untouchable.

Just as Harrison and Isabella reached the operating room doors, a voice called out, "Harrison?"

Harrison turned, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the person she'd been waiting for—Dr. Nathaniel Graves, the rural physician.

Dr. Graves approached, warmth softening his features. "Harrison, is that really you? Look how much you've grown!"

Years ago, when Harrison had been sent to the countryside, Dr. Graves had been one of the few who treated her with kindness. Gratitude swelled in her chest.

"Dr. Graves, it's been too long! How have you been?" Harrison greeted warmly.

"I'm doing well. Heard you're a doctor now—that's wonderful! Even back then, you had a natural gift for medicine. I always knew you'd do great things. Seems I was right!" He chuckled.

Isabella’s gaze raked over Dr. Graves, her lip curling slightly at his rustic appearance. Impatience dripped from her voice. "Harrison, enough catching up. The surgery can't wait."

Dr. Graves glanced at Isabella, not recognizing her, before his eyes landed on Nathaniel. His expression shifted to surprise.

"You?"

Nathaniel paused, studying him. The man seemed familiar, but he couldn’t place him. "Have we met?"

Dr. Graves grinned. "We have! Don’t you remember? Years ago, when you were badly injured in the woods, a young girl brought you to a cave. The next morning, she came to fetch me, and I gave you medicine."

Nathaniel’s eyes widened as the memory resurfaced—the cold night, the girl huddled beside him for warmth, the groggy morning when she returned with a country doctor who administered treatment.

His voice softened with realization. "I remember now. You saved my life that day. I never properly thanked you."

Dr. Graves waved him off. "No need. The one who truly saved you was that girl. I just did my part. You were in bad shape—without her, you wouldn’t have made it. You should be thanking her."

Nathaniel turned to Isabella, a faint smile touching his lips. "Yes, that girl was Isabella. I found her later."

Dr. Graves stared at Isabella in shock. "Her? You're saying she saved you?"

Nathaniel met his gaze steadily. "Am I wrong?"

Dead wrong.

Isabella’s face drained of color, her expression turning ghostly pale. She hadn’t expected the rural doctor to be the same one Harrison had summoned all those years ago—the key witness who knew the truth.

Her stomach plummeted. Why now? She was moments away from surgery—why did he have to appear now?

Forcing a weak smile, she clutched her side. "Nathaniel, I'm starting to feel unwell. Let’s just get this over with."