Chapter 94: A heart in her hands

"I think…" she inhaled, then spoke with certainty. "I think there's a way to help him. But I need time to gather evidence and propose a procedure that the board won't reject outright."

A pause. Then Dr. Zhang let out a small chuckle. "You never take the easy road, do you?"

Jillian smiled. "Where's the fun in that?"

"You have two days," he said finally. "Convince them."

The call ended, and Jillian immediately got to work. If she was going to fight for Eric's life, she needed a solid plan—one the board couldn't ignore.

Jillian spent the next 48 hours buried in research, analyzing every successful and experimental procedure for conditions similar to Eric's. She reached out to renowned cardiologists across the globe, gathering their insights and refining her approach.

Meanwhile, Megan noticed her long hours in the research wing. "You're pushing yourself too hard," she remarked, crossing her arms.

Jillian barely looked up from her laptop. "I don't have a choice."

Megan sighed, then set a cup of coffee beside her. "At least stay alive long enough to win this battle."

Jillian gave her a grateful nod before returning to her notes.

Finally, on the morning of the presentation, she stood before the hospital board, heart pounding but her expression unwavering.

She began, "Eric's condition is rare, but not untreatable. Existing methods have failed, but based on my research, I believe a modified version of the hybrid ablation technique, in combination with targeted gene therapy, could save his life."

One of the senior doctors frowned. "That procedure has only been attempted a handful of times. If this goes wrong, the consequences will be severe."

Jillian stood her ground. "And if we do nothing, he dies."

The room fell silent.

Dr. Zhang finally spoke. "You're confident in this?"

Jillian met his gaze. "Yes."

The board members exchanged glances, whispering among themselves.

Finally, the chairman cleared his throat. "We will review your proposal and deliver our decision by tomorrow."

Jillian exhaled slowly. Now, all she could do was wait.

The next morning, Jillian arrived at the hospital earlier than usual, her nerves on edge as she waited for the board's decision. Megan found her pacing in the research wing and handed her a bottle of water. "You're going to wear a hole in the floor," she teased.

Before Jillian could respond, Dr. Zhang's assistant appeared at the doorway.

"The board has reached a decision. Dr. Zhang wants to see you in his office."

Jillian exchanged a quick look with Megan before following the assistant.

Inside Dr. Zhang's office, the atmosphere was tense yet expectant. The senior doctors sat in a semi-circle, and at the center, the chairman of the board tapped his fingers against a file.

Dr. Zhang gave Jillian a small nod before the chairman spoke. "After careful review, we have decided to approve the procedure."

Jillian's heart leaped.

"However," the chairman continued, "due to the risks involved, you will be supervised by a senior cardiothoracic surgeon. You will lead, but Dr. Liu will oversee the surgery."

Jillian didn't hesitate. "I understand. Thank you for this opportunity."

Dr. Zhang smiled. "Prepare yourself, Jillian. The surgery is in three days."

As she left the office, Megan caught up to her. "Well? How do you feel?"

Jillian took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Like I'm about to change someone's life."

Megan smirked. "No pressure, then."

The day before the surgery, Jillian sat at her desk in her office, her fingers lightly tracing the edges of the patient's medical file. The light from the desk lamp cast a warm glow on the papers, but her mind felt clouded with the weight of the upcoming procedure. The journey from an eager intern, uncertain of every decision, to now being the lead specialist in one of the most complex heart surgeries of her career was both humbling and overwhelming.

Her thoughts wandered back to the early days at West China Hospital, when she had felt unsure of her abilities, constantly questioning whether she belonged in such a prestigious institution. The first few months had been tough, filled with late nights of studying and endless hours in the operating room, but she had pushed through, fueled by her passion for medicine and the support of her mentors. Dr. Zhang's guidance, Megan's rivalry, and even her own inner drive had shaped her into the doctor she had become today.

As her gaze returned to the file in front of her, she went over the patient's medical history once more, memorizing every detail. The patient, a young man in his early thirties, had been diagnosed with a rare and complicated heart condition that required immediate surgery to avoid further deterioration. The surgery, though risky, had the potential to restore normal function to his heart and save his life. But Jillian couldn't shake the gnawing anxiety that gripped her.

She had performed numerous surgeries by now, but this one felt different. The stakes were higher. As the lead specialist, the responsibility for the patient's life rested on her shoulders. There would be no one to hide behind, no one to second-guess her decisions. It was all on her.

Her hands paused for a moment as she looked out the window, watching the city of Shanghai come to life as the sun dipped below the horizon. She had come so far, but was she truly ready for this?

She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm the storm of thoughts in her mind. The surgeries she had performed had always been about precision and skill, but this was more than just a procedure. This was her chance to make a lasting impact, to prove that she was more than just a talented young doctor — she was a leader.

The weight of the responsibility was heavy, but the thought of the patient's future, of his family, kept her focused. Tomorrow would be a defining moment in her career.

Jillian stood up from her desk, stretching her arms. The anxiety was still there, but it was mingling with something else now — excitement. This was what she had worked for. To be trusted with such a critical surgery meant that she had earned her place.

She spent the rest of the evening preparing mentally, reviewing the procedure step by step, and ensuring every aspect of the operation was planned down to the smallest detail. When she finally turned off the light and lay in bed, she closed her eyes and reminded herself that she was ready. Tomorrow, she would step into that operating room and show the world that she had what it took to succeed.

The day of the surgery arrived with a sense of anticipation that filled the air. Jillian stood in front of the operating room doors, her heart beating steadily in her chest. She had been through countless surgeries, but today felt different. It wasn't just the complexity of the procedure, but the weight of responsibility that she now carried as the lead specialist. This was her moment to prove herself — to everyone, but most importantly, to herself.

She took a deep breath and pushed the doors open. The sterile smell of the operating room, the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitors, and the soft shuffle of nurses preparing the instruments all came together to create an atmosphere of focused intensity. The entire team was already present, waiting for her to take command.

Dr. Liu, the senior cardiologist who would be supervising the surgery, was standing by the surgical table. He gave her a nod of acknowledgment as she entered, a subtle sign of respect. Jillian nodded back, her face calm but alert. She was no longer the intern who once nervously asked for guidance; today, she was the leader of the team.