Chapter 7 Are You Isabella

"Put out a job ad under our company's name. Make it clear we're ready to hire the best tech talent out there, no questions asked. And make sure to invite the expert who visited our website to join Avery Technology Corporation as our Chief Network Consultant."

"Mr. Carter,"

The PR team hesitated.

This was the first time their company had been hacked since its founding.

Posting a job ad now felt like giving in to the hacker, didn't it?

"Just do it," Terry's voice was firm. "Also, let the media know the salary is negotiable, with no upper limit."

He believed that no one could resist a lucrative offer. If the hacker wanted something, Terry would find and control them.

Soon, Avery Technology Corporation's job ad caused quite a stir in the industry.

The enticing offer made numerous tech professionals green with envy, sparking endless private discussions.

However, days passed, and the olive branch seemed to have been ignored, not even causing a ripple.

It was clear that the hacker scoffed at Terry's offer.

Terry sat at his desk, watching the online chatter about the ad gradually die down, his expression growing darker.

For the first time, he felt the frustration of hitting a brick wall.

Just then, his phone rang; it was his grandfather's chief physician calling.

He quickly answered, "Mr. Terry Carter, Mr. Philip Carter's condition has worsened. He needs surgery immediately!"

A few days ago, Charles had learned that Robert was back in the country and had arranged for him to perform the surgery on Philip in five days.

Terry grabbed his suit jacket and sped towards the hospital in his black Bentley.

But Philip's sudden illness caught them off guard, and Robert was in Empire City dealing with personal matters, unable to return in time.

In desperation, Gregory urgently sought out Isabella.

She had just finished an exhausting eight-hour surgery and was physically and mentally drained.

"Dr. Garcia, Mr. Philip Carter's condition has worsened suddenly. It's not looking good. Robert is out of state and can't make it back in time. Can you..."

Isabella's pen paused slightly.

Robert was here as an intern because of his low-key nature, starting from the bottom.

But abroad, he was known as a genius doctor, fully capable of leading surgeries.

In the entire hospital, only the two of them could perform Philip's surgery.

If anything happened to the patient today due to Robert's personal reasons, it would severely impact his reputation.

Isabella thought for a moment, then quickly stood up. "Prepare the patient for surgery and assign me two assistants."

She had previously reviewed Philip's case by chance. The condition wasn't overly complex, but the surgery was highly challenging.

Soon, the operating room lights came on as Elora and Terry hurriedly arrived.

An hour and a half later, the lights went out, and Isabella, wearing a mask, slowly walked out.

Seeing a different doctor, Terry was about to lose his temper.

Then Isabella removed her mask, meeting his gaze.

It was her?

"The surgery went well, but the patient needs a few hours of quiet observation," Isabella concisely informed Terry. "Next, it depends on the patient's recovery ability and how soon they wake up from anesthesia."

Philip was then wheeled out by the medical staff.

Elora scrutinized Philip's condition, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Time ticked by.

Philip showed no signs of waking up.

In the VIP room, Elora paced back and forth, her delicate face frowning slightly.

She pushed to the front, her voice tinged with worry and sharpness, "It's been over half an hour. Why isn't Mr. Carter awake yet? Didn't Dr. Garcia say the surgery was successful? What's going on? Should we call her to ask?"

Terry had already stepped out several times to smoke, the smell of cedar and strong tobacco clinging to him.

He thought for a few seconds, then nodded.

Isabella had just stepped into the room when Elora stood up. "Dr. Garcia, it's been half an hour, and Mr. Carter hasn't woken up. Could there have been an unforeseen complication during the surgery that you didn't mention?"

Her voice carried through the room, drawing skeptical glances from the Carter family members and company executives.

Terry, though silent, also conveyed his anxiety and doubt towards Isabella.

After all, Philip was old, and this surgery was highly risky.

Isabella faced the skepticism without any change in her expression.

"Anesthesia recovery time varies with each patient's constitution. Different bodies wake up at different times."

Elora seemed not to grasp the simple explanation and was about to speak again,

Just then, the patient's fingers moved almost imperceptibly.

Terry, ever observant, noticed it right away.

"The patient is waking up!" A nurse standing by the bed announced, looking at the monitor.

Everyone's attention snapped to Philip, whose eyelids fluttered before slowly opening a sliver.

Gregory and the nurse conducted a thorough check, and after a moment, Gregory sighed in relief, "Mr. Carter, rest assured. Your grandfather's vital signs are stable and within normal ranges. It seems the surgery was very successful!"

Terry's tense shoulders relaxed as he exhaled.

Elora's face briefly showed a mix of frustration and embarrassment, but she quickly replaced it with a look of joy. "Mr. Carter, you're finally awake. That's wonderful!"

Philip's gaze slowly shifted, still not fully clear.

His eyes moved past Elora and Terry, finally settling on Isabella.

"Isabella?"

The name exploded in Terry's mind like a bomb.

He whipped around to look at Isabella, shock and disbelief in his eyes.

How could Philip suddenly call out that name?

Elora's face turned pale, and she blurted out, "Mr. Carter, she is Dr. Garcia!"

Isabella's heart skipped a beat, but her face remained calm.

She even stepped forward slightly, speaking in a professional and gentle tone, "Mr. Carter, let me introduce myself. I am your surgeon, Abigail Garcia. You just had surgery and need to rest."

Her voice was clear and soothing, as if Philip had genuinely mistaken her for someone else, and she had no idea who this Isabella was.

Philip seemed to regain his senses, then closed his eyes again, as if he had just spoken in a dream.

"Since he is awake, I'll take my leave now. Dr. Lopez will continue with the post-operative care." With that, she turned gracefully, her steps steady, leaving the room with a composed demeanor.

Only she knew that as she turned, her palms had already dug into her flesh.