Chapter 930:

Confident that Jonah would give in, Nola offered a warm smile. “Dr. Boyd, I’ve wanted to collaborate with you for ages. You’re the only person I trust for this. With you by my side, we can pull this off.”

But Jonah wasn’t convinced. “If you can’t perform the procedure without relying on someone outside your field, then maybe you need to rethink whether you belong in this career at all.”

That hit harder than Nola expected. Her face stiffened, caught off guard by his directness. “You…”

Without so much as glancing her way, Jonah addressed Glenn, “My area is cardiology, not neurosurgery. A surgery like this requires the right expertise. The patient’s life, and this hospital’s reputation, deserve better than a gamble.”

Jonah wasn’t trying to dodge responsibility. He simply understood his limits and refused to play hero where it could cost someone’s life. A real doctor knew when to step in and when to step aside.

Jonah’s outright rejection caught Nola off guard. Without him, how was she supposed to handle the operation? Operating alone would mean exposing her lie for what it was. The moment she made the first incision, everyone would see she wasn’t qualified. And if Lamont, second-in-command at the base, died under her care, the consequences would be more than she could bear.

The more Nola replayed the scenario in her head, the outcome felt increasingly gloomy.

Siding with Jonah’s logic, Glenn turned to Nola and said, “Nola, Dr. Ramirez has decades of neurosurgical experience. You’d be in much safer hands with him assisting.”

Now cornered, Nola couldn’t help but regret ever agreeing to the surgery. With Jonah stepping back, she had no way out and no one left to cover for her.

Cornered, Nola blamed everything on Elena. If Elena hadn’t pointed out the pill was counterfeit, Glenn wouldn’t have doubted her medical skills.

Nola’s nerves were unraveling fast. She kept turning over every excuse in her head, desperate to find a way out of operating on Lamont.

Lucinda, completely unaware of her friend’s inner turmoil, was seething over Jonah’s refusal to get on board. “Dr. Boyd, do you even realize who Nola is? She’s the Healer’s disciple! She’s giving you a rare chance to learn from her up close, for crying out loud! Tons of doctors would kill for the chance to assist her, and here you are, refusing outright like it’s no big deal. Don’t regret it later—chances like this don’t just fall in your lap twice!”

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But Jonah wasn’t just anyone. He came from a renowned medical lineage in Klathe, held the record as the youngest department head at Base Medical Center, and also happened to be Commander Rayne’s personal doctor. His reputation at the hospital was ironclad, and before Nola’s supposed identity as the Healer’s disciple came to light, he had been the top contender for Glenn’s seat.

Yet now, Lucinda was using Nola’s supposed status to slight Jonah.

Jonah didn’t lose his cool, but he didn’t mince his words either. “Let’s not crown Nola just yet. Save the applause for when she’s officially endorsed. And even when that time comes, you’re still just riding her coattails.”

With his polished looks, sharp jawline, and gold-rimmed glasses, Jonah gave off the same cool detachment as Louis—and the same sharp tongue. He knew exactly where to cut, and he didn’t miss.

Lucinda’s cheeks burned with rage. He’d hit a nerve, and her fury came pouring out. “What’s that supposed to mean? You’re saying Nola is faking it? That she’s not the Healer’s disciple? You’re jealous—that’s what this is! The Healer chose her over you, and that eats you up! You act like this surgery hinges on you, but Nola can handle it on her own!”

Jonah tilted his head slightly, his tone dry. “If that’s the case, great. Makes things easier.”

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