Chapter 4 Eliana Provoking Johnny

The operation dragged on for hours, each moment a battle between life and death. Eliana performed it from the beginning to the end, her hands steady as she worked with precision and skill. By the end, exhaustion weighed heavily on her, and she could barely stand.

Outside the operating room, the tension among the waiting family members was palpable. Leah Allen, the patient's mother, couldn't hold back her anxiety. "Can that young girl really do it? Is she really a doctor?"

"She's the best," someone reassured her. "Dr. Boyd asked for her help. She is Night-the world-renowned surgeon. If you're unfamiliar with that name, just look her up."

Leah quickly searched for Night on her phone, and when she saw the accolades and achievements, hope flickered in her eyes. "Our daughter has a chance to live now!" she exclaimed.

Meanwhile, Johnny was at the house where Eliana had lived for the past three years. The dishes on the table were untouched, and the rooms were tidy. But it could be seen that since the divorce, Eliana hadn't returned.

Johnny had no feelings for Eliana. To him, Eliana was nothing more than a clever manipulator who had threatened his grandmother to make him marry her.

Their tale resembled the true tale of The Farmer and the Snake. He saved her, but she bit him, hurting him.

Johnny's thoughts were interrupted by a call from his secretary, Laurence George.

"Mr. Roberts, I've found Night," Laurence said.

Johnny's heart skipped a beat, his voice tinged with excitement. "Where is Night?"

It had been a while since he had heard any news of Night. Finally...

"Night is at Tricvale General Hospital, performing surgery now," Laurence replied.

Without hesitation, Johnny barked, "Get me there immediately!"

As long as Night could save Caroline, he was willing to cover all the cost, however high it might be.

Seven grueling hours later, the operation concluded. The patient's life, once hanging by a thread, had been pulled back from the brink.

Eliana, though utterly spent, allowed herself a small smile as she watched the patient's heart beat steadily once more.

After finishing the critical parts of the operation, Eliana passed the remaining tasks, like suturing, to Stefan. She was completely drained and needed to rest.

"How about dinner together tonight?" Stefan asked.

"Maybe another time," Eliana replied with a tired wave.

The other doctors were still processing what they had just witnessed. The staff at Tricvale General Hospital were all highly trained, yet seeing Eliana save a patient who had been so close to death made them understand why she was a renowned doctor.

Outside, the patient's parents waited anxiously. As Johnny approached them, he called out, "Mr. Allen?"

Vance turned, recognizing Johnny immediately. "Mr. Roberts?"

Just then, the doors of the operating room swung open, and a nurse emerged. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Allen. The operation is successful, and your daughter is going to be fine."

Johnny stared into the operating room and asked, "Where is Night?"

"Night has already left," the nurse replied. There were other exits inside the operation room, and Night had already left through an internal passageway.

"Go and find Night!" Johnny ordered his men. He was determined to find Night today.

However, no one had seen Night's face because she had been wearing a mask.

With only a description of Night's outfit to go by, Johnny rushed downstairs to look for Night as well.

Eliana, meanwhile, had hailed a taxi, her exhaustion weighing heavily on her. She was starving and desperately needed something to eat.

As Eliana got into the taxi, Johnny caught sight of her. The clothes she wore matched the description of Night given by the Allen couple. But why did she look like the same woman he had encountered last night?

Johnny's heart pounded as he moved to follow her in his car. In the taxi, Eliana massaged her temples, catching a glimpse of a black car in the rearview mirror.

Was that car following her?

"Take the next left," Eliana instructed the driver.

The driver didn't understand why Eliana wanted him to do that but complied. Eliana noticed that the black car continued to follow them, turning when they did. The black car's speed was fast; it seemed it was going to block the taxi.

"Can you lose the car behind us?" Eliana said to the driver.

The black car continued to chase after them. It would pass the taxi in no time.

The driver replied, "I can't. The person's driving skills are too good."

The car passed by the taxi. Eliana turned her head, locking eyes with the man behind the wheel.

That face...

Eliana's heart skipped a beat. It was Johnny!

So, Johnny really was back in the country. Last night hadn't been just a figment of her imagination.

Johnny, intent on bringing the taxi to a halt, maneuvered to block their path. But Eliana wasn't about to be caught so easily. "Turn right and pull over," she instructed.

The driver followed Eliana's quick instructions, making an unexpected turn.

Johnny hadn't anticipated the sudden maneuver and was forced to double back. As the taxi came to a stop, Eliana swiftly swapped seats with the driver.

Johnny resumed the chase, but Eliana was ready. She shifted gears with a deft hand, released the handbrake, and slammed on the accelerator. The taxi shot forward like an arrow.

Johnny was unwilling to yield. But Eliana was weaving through the traffic at a blistering speed, overtaking many cars.

Her driving skills were a far cry from the cautious, almost timid manner of the taxi driver she had just replaced. She was like a professional racer.

Though Johnny prided himself on his own driving skills, Eliana had outmaneuvered him. She sped onto a nearby viaduct, and when he attempted to close in from his side, she had already driven down the viaduct from another lane.

Johnny caught sight of the taxi on the parallel route, and as their cars sped past each other in opposite directions, a slender hand emerged from the taxi's window. It gave him a thumbs-up.

The next second, the thumb turned downward.

It was a gesture of contempt. She seemed to be telling Johnny that he sucked.

Her arrogance was evident.

Not only was she an excellent doctor, but she was also great at driving?

It was the first time Johnny had felt so blatantly challenged. He had always taken pride in his driving skills, considering himself unbeatable, yet here he was, bested by a woman.

When Johnny finally navigated back in her direction to chase her, the taxi was already gone.