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…”

knew that everything he said was true. Brain surgery was a field where skill only came from relentless, hands-on

now, though, she

couldn’t stand to see Chris trapped in constant uncertainty, never

eyes. “No one else is stepping up, so I have to be the one. I have to

caught off guard by

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then hesitated. Finally, after a long moment, he spoke more quietly. “Maia, I need to know. What is your real connection to

seconds, Maia remained silent, then slowly

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

as he stared at the student he had always known to be steady and logical. For a moment, he didn’t

why I have to save

in Lenny’s eyes,