Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 851:

“That won’t do,” Maia cut in, raising her voice for the first time.

She drew in a breath, then met Lenny’s eyes without wavering as she declared, “I’ll do the surgery myself.”

A heavy, absolute silence filled the office.

Lenny jerked his head up, completely stunned. “What did you just say?” He stared at Maia as if he couldn’t believe his ears.

“I’ll do the surgery,” Maia said, her voice steady and clear.

“Are you completely out of your mind?” Lenny snapped, losing the control he rarely let slip. “Maia, do you understand the risk you’re talking about? You might be my top student, but you haven’t practiced medicine since you left the academy. Brain surgery isn’t just about being gifted or brave.”

Lenny clenched his jaw. “You have incredible potential, but no one picks up a scalpel and masters this in a week. It takes years in the operating room. Even if I walked you through every step, there just isn’t enough time. Chris doesn’t have that luxury. He…”

into a fist at her side. She knew that everything he said was true. Brain surgery was a field where skill

now, though, she had

about Zoey’s trust in her. Maia couldn’t stand to see Chris trapped in constant uncertainty, never knowing

his eyes. “No one else is stepping up, so I have

off

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and down, searching for something, but then hesitated. Finally, after a long moment, he spoke more quietly. “Maia, I need

Maia remained silent, then slowly lifted her chin. “Chris

stretch the silence even further. The tension in the room was thick enough to feel. Even the buzz of the overhead light

at the student he had always known to be

why I

emotions flickered in Lenny’s eyes,