Meeting the Halifax Family

The air in the private VIP ward was suffocating.

Not because of the patient's condition, nor because of the sheer amount of medical risk involved in the upcoming procedure.

It was because of the people waiting inside.

Dr. Caldwell and the team had barely stepped through the door before they were met with the weight of old money and power.

Sitting by the window, his presence alone commanding attention, was Lord Ashton Halifax.

Despite his failing health, he held himself with a quiet dignity, dressed in a crisp, tailored robe that likely cost more than a junior doctor's annual salary. His hair was still a sharp silver, neatly combed back, and his grey-blue eyes held no sign of fear—only expectation.

Standing beside him, radiating cold efficiency, was his eldest son, Sebastian Halifax.

Tall, severe, and dressed in a flawless three-piece suit, Sebastian exuded the kind of controlled authority that only came from a lifetime of privilege and expectation. His watch alone was worth more than the entire surgical team's combined annual bonuses.

On the other side of the room, in stark contrast to her brother's composure, stood Lady Eleanor Halifax—the youngest of the Halifax children.

She was clearly frustrated, arms folded, her sharp features twisted into barely concealed displeasure.

"Finally." She exhaled, tapping her manicured nails against the armrest of her chair. "It took you long enough."

Dr. Monroe remained composed. "We understand this is a stressful time, Lady Halifax."

"Stressful?" Eleanor scoffed. "It's an absolute bloody nightmare."

Sebastian shot his sister a warning glance, but she ignored him, turning her sharp gaze back to the assembled medical team.

"My father is not some commoner who can afford to take chances." She crossed her arms. "We require absolute certainty that this operation will succeed."

Dr. Hayworth, who had no patience for entitlement, spoke before anyone else could. "Medicine is not about certainty, Lady Halifax. It is about skill, precision, and preparation."

Sebastian adjusted his cufflinks, voice smooth and unwavering. "What my sister means is that failure is not an option."

Dr. Patel sighed internally. "That is always the goal, Lord Halifax."

Lord Ashton, silent until now, finally spoke, his voice calm but firm.

"I assume you've prepared a surgical strategy?"

Dr. Wallace nodded. "We have. We will be performing an open thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair with a hybrid endovascular approach. This allows us to secure the most vulnerable sections of the aorta while minimising ischemic complications."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed. "How long will the operation take?"

Dr. Evans glanced at the patient files. "Approximately fourteen to eighteen hours."

Eleanor let out an incredulous scoff. "Eighteen bloody hours? You're joking."

Dr. Monroe's voice was cool. "We do not joke about matters of life and death, Lady Halifax."

Lord Ashton simply nodded. "And the risks?"

Dr. Miller, ever the pragmatist, answered without hesitation. "High. You may experience significant blood loss, renal complications, or respiratory failure post-op."

Sebastian's jaw tightened. "And what are you doing to mitigate those risks?"

Dr. Patel spoke smoothly. "We are employing a staged perfusion strategy to maintain organ function during prolonged aortic clamping. This will reduce ischemic injury, but there is no eliminating risk entirely."

Silence fell over the room.

Lord Ashton closed his eyes briefly before opening them again, his expression unreadable.

Finally, he exhaled. "Do it."

Sebastian nodded once, formal and composed. "You have all the resources you need. I expect nothing but excellence."

Eleanor, however, was far less satisfied.

"And if you fail?" She demanded.

Dr. Hayworth's eyes hardened. "Then we will have done everything humanly possible."

Eleanor's lips curled in disdain. "I expected more confidence from London's so-called finest."

Dr. Wallace, who had been silent long enough, smirked. "Then perhaps you should have hired gods instead."

Sebastian's eyes flickered.

Eleanor's jaw tightened.

And in the background, unseen and silent—Su Yan smirked, thoroughly enjoying the show.