The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 617

"What does that mean? Are you saying they want to use his body as a test subject for the artificial heart?" The prospect itself didn't faze him, but what rattled Raymond was far more serious-why had Nathanael said Citrine would be in danger?

Raymond looked desperately from one to the other, hungry for answers.

It wasn't just Citrine standing her ground now. Nathanael's stance was equally unyielding, and the stubborn set of his jaw left no room for negotiation.

His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Raymond, who lay helpless on the hospital bed across the room. Nathanael's voice was icy. "His heart is failing, and that's a tragedy, but why should that be our burden? Why should you be the one to donate your heart to him? You already showed him more mercy than he deserved by allowing him into the research clinic. That was generous enough— there's no need to go any further."

He turned, voice rising, frustration boiling over. "Besides, Raymond's not going to last much longer. We could persuade his family to let him join the clinical trial, give him the artificial heart you designed."

"Nathanael's right, Citrine. You don't have to risk your own life, swapping your healthy heart for his. Let someone else be the first test subject."

Nathanael's anger was palpable now, his words tumbling out faster and louder with every sentence.

Raymond's face drained of color as he listened to their exchange. Now, at last, everything was clear.

he couldn't explain. Citrine, though, was planning to give up her own heart for him— and test her invention on

were the terms, he'd rather die

do it!" Raymond cried

hear him at

stared at the two of them, willing Citrine to listen to Nathanael,

lasted for several long minutes. Nathanael had said his piece, and neither of them seemed ready to

to Nathanael, her gaze sharp and resolute. "You know why have to do this, Nathanael. I need to understand exactly how the artificial heart works-its strengths, its flaws.

You're the head of this project, Citrine. You've spent two years locked in

research. You're only

sacrificing everything for

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twenty-seven-this should be the

life. You deserve to see what the world has to offer, to actually live. But if you keep going like this, you'll

inside her

he'd found an