The Breaking Point

The operation was finally over.

After hours of tension, near-catastrophe, and sheer surgical humiliation, the last sutures were placed, the final instruments were counted, and the patient was stabilized.

Lord Ashton Halifax was alive.

The surgical team should have felt victorious.

Instead?

They felt like absolute fools.

Because no matter how much skill they had, no matter how many years of experience they'd built—

In the end, they had been schooled.

And now?

Now, they had to deal with Lin Kai.

The Moment Everyone Dreaded

Lin Kai did not look pleased.

For the past several hours, he had stayed calm, focused on keeping the surgery stable.

He had let Su Yan handle the scolding, let her teach them a lesson in the only way she knew how—mercilessly.

But now?

Now that the patient was safe?

He had no reason to hold back.

He pulled off his gloves sharply, his movements precise, almost surgical—but there was an edge to him that hadn't been there before.

And when he finally spoke?

His voice was low, controlled, and absolutely furious.

"What the hell was that?"

Silence.

The other doctors shifted uncomfortably.

No one wanted to answer.

But Lin Kai was not done.

The Explosion

"I have never seen a team of senior surgeons fail this spectacularly."

"I have never seen a group of people who supposedly represent the finest in their fields make so many careless mistakes."

"And I have never, in my entire career, seen a room full of professionals let their egos nearly kill a patient."

Dr. Wallace, who was usually the first to argue, stayed silent.

Dr. Patel, who had made a name for himself in neurosurgery, looked away.

Dr. Evans, who had been so sure of his general surgical expertise, said nothing.

Lin Kai wasn't finished.

"I held back. I thought you could handle it. That was my mistake."

He turned, eyes flashing.

"But you? You let arrogance blind you. You let hesitation ruin you. And worst of all?"

His voice dropped, sharp as a scalpel.

"You wasted Su Yan's time."

Dr. Monroe, standing at the edge of the room, actually smirked.

Dr. Miller let out a slow breath.

Dr. Hayworth, ever-practical, merely folded her arms.

They all knew.

Lin Kai wasn't just angry about the surgical failure.

He was angry because they had forced Su Yan to step in.

And in his world?

That was unacceptable.

Lin Kai grabbed his surgical cap and tossed it onto the counter.

"I'm done. Find someone else to deal with your incompetence."

And with that—

He walked out.

No closing words.

No post-surgery analysis.

No waiting for their reactions.

Just left.

Because today?

Today, he was done with all of them.

---

The Panic Begins

Lin Kai had never walked out like that before.

Sure, he'd left surgeries before—but only when it was done, successful, and nothing more needed to be said.

This was different.

This wasn't just leaving.

This was abandoning them.

And if there was one absolute truth in the hospital, it was this:

If Lin Kai was angry, they could still manage.

But if Su Yan was angry—

They were doomed.

Management Goes into Crisis Mode

Dr. Monroe had barely stepped out of the observation deck before she saw Dr. Caldwell (CMO) and Richard Martin (Head of Administration) already rushing toward her.

Caldwell's voice was low but urgent. "What the hell happened?"

Monroe sighed. "They broke Su Yan's patience, and then they broke Lin Kai's."

Martin looked pale. "You're telling me they BOTH walked out? Just like that?"

Monroe shrugged. "Well, Lin walked. Su Yan stormed."

Caldwell muttered something that sounded like a prayer for his retirement.

Martin was already calculating financial damages. "If they leave permanently—"

Caldwell cut him off. "We're not letting that happen."

Monroe raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to stop them?"

Caldwell exhaled sharply. "We go to their house."

Martin blinked. "Excuse me?"

Caldwell turned to Monroe. "You coming?"

Monroe smirked. "Absolutely."

Martin groaned. "I hate my job."

The Management Invasion

Thirty minutes later, a hospital-issued black SUV pulled up in front of Lin Kai and Su Yan's home.

Caldwell stepped out first, glancing at the house like it was an active battlefield.

Monroe followed, looking far too amused for the situation.

Martin hesitated. "Maybe we should call first?"

Caldwell didn't even acknowledge him. He strode forward and knocked on the door.

No response.

Monroe tilted her head. "Did they abandon the country?"

Martin muttered. "Please don't joke."

Caldwell knocked again.

Still nothing.

Then—the door unlocked.

And they came face-to-face with Su Yan.

Who did not look pleased.

She was dressed in casual loungewear, holding a cup of coffee, and had absolutely no interest in their presence.

"What do you want?"

Martin tried to smile. "A…friendly visit?"

Su Yan blinked.

Then?

She slammed the door in their faces.

Negotiations Begin (Badly)

Caldwell sighed.

Then he knocked again.

This time, Lin Kai answered.

And he didn't look much happier.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyes sharp with irritation.

"You have thirty seconds before I go back inside."

Monroe smirked. "We're here to grovel."

Lin Kai arched an eyebrow.

Martin looked betrayed. "We are?"

Caldwell ignored both of them. "Look. We're not here to waste your time. We just need to know one thing."

Lin Kai didn't respond.

So Caldwell asked the only question that mattered.

"Are you leaving for good?"

The Answer They Feared

Lin Kai said nothing at first.

Then he turned slightly, looking back toward Su Yan, who had retreated to the couch, scrolling on her phone.

She didn't even look up.

She just said—"Maybe."

Martin actually looked ready to collapse.

Caldwell visibly tensed.

Monroe, however, just smirked. "Well. That sounds negotiable."

Su Yan yawned. "Depends."

Caldwell's tone remained professional. "On what?"

Su Yan finally looked up.

And smiled.

"How much are you willing to beg?"