Samantha Sonnet, my wife who's also a hospital dean, decides to replace my name with Nicholas Spark, the intern's name on the surgical atlas that I've spent the last three years drafting without my permission. That atlas is then published.

I burn the only original draft of the atlas in front of the entire department.

Samantha blames me for being brash. "He's just leaving his name there so that he can ensure a smoother project closeout."

After dusting the ashes away, I reply, "My academic achievements will always be mine. Since someone else's name is printed on my achievements, that means they are no longer pure."

Later at midnight, Samantha hands me a glass of warm milk in an attempt to apologize to me.

When I regain consciousness once again, I've already gotten strapped to a surgical table beneath a huge spotlight. I see a scalpel glinting coldly right above me.

"You're a man of purity, right?" Samantha murmurs into my ear. "Three people's blood will be coursing through your veins soon enough. You'll be impure soon enough!"

At the moment, Samantha is livestreaming an illegal organ removal surgery.

As I stare at the camera hovering above my head, I say coldly, "If you've recorded enough evidence, then it's time to turn off the camera! Tell Captain Hardy that I've gotten my hands on the evidence he wants!"

On the other end of the surveillance video, there was a momentary silence. A second later, shrill laughter reached my ears.

"Dr. Sonnet, didn't you say Henry Jenner is completely obedient when it comes to you? If you ask me, he seems rather cocky, no?"

"Maybe you should submit to him. Then we can send people in to untie him right now. What do you say?"

Samantha Sonnet curled her fingers into fists as her jaw tightened. Ignoring the others' mockery, she leaned close to the microphone and spoke to me.

"Submit to him? Henry, have you ever looked in the mirror? You live off my money, yet you think I should submit to you? You? Know your place! I allowed your surgical atlas to be published simply because I thought you could do it! What makes you think you have any right to negotiate with me?"

Countless cameras dotted the operating theater, their feed connected to a massive screen that gave everyone a 360-degree view of me.

"Oh my god! They're a hate-driven couple? How interesting!"

"Let me get this straight. The husband felt his knowledge was tainted because someone else touched it, and the wife decided to make him undergo an organ transplant because of that, right?"

"That's right. Look at him acting all high and mighty. As if anything in this world is truly clean!"

"In reply to the poster above me, you're nothing but trash! Just because you're impure, you think everything else is tainted too, huh?"

Comments from people watching the live stream scrolled relentlessly across the screen.

At that moment, the "surgeon" in charge of the operation finished preparing and approached me, wearing protective goggles. As he pressed the scalpel against my skin, the cold sensation made me shiver.

My heart throbbed in pain, and I thought I was suffocating.

Just because I refused to pave the way for the new intern, she was doing this to me.

Back then, it was Samantha who suggested I publish a surgical atlas. Because of that, I spent countless sleepless nights working on it, hoping it would stabilize her standing in the medical field while also making a name for myself.

I never would've expected that all my hard work would end up helping someone else gild themselves.

When Samantha noticed my terrified expression, she mocked me.

"Henry, don't tell me you genuinely think I'm doing this only because you refused to credit Nicholas in the surgical atlas?

"I'll be honest with you. If it weren't for your greedy ambitions leading you to get close to me, would you really have the status and achievements you do today?

"Just because Nicholas wanted to be credited in the book, you burned the draft. Isn't it all because you feared he would surpass you? As long as you hand over the backup copy, I'll let you go immediately!"

Her words left me thoroughly dumbfounded.

So, that was how she had always thought of me?

Even more comments sped across the live stream screen.

"No way! Do all people who live off others do it so publicly nowadays?"

"I heard Nicholas' career was almost ruined because of this incident. Looks like Henry is just reaping what he sowed."

"I agree. It's just crediting an extra person. Is there really a need to be so petty?"

Similarly, mocking or envious comments continued to pour in from the dark web.

Just then, Nicholas Spark's voice drifted over the speakers.

"Samantha, it's only natural that Henry doesn't think too highly of me. He's always had a discerning eye and is able to see your strengths."

The aggrieved tone in which he spoke those self-deprecating words instantly had Samantha jumping to his defense.

"Nicholas, you came from an impoverished background, yet you put in so much effort and worked hard to make it in the world. Unlike some despicable people, who think they're all that but actually ride on others' coattails to throw their weight around."

He worked hard? Did she mean the way he was always thinking of new ways to please her?

More than once, Samantha had praised Nicholas for being capable straight to my face.

However, when I showed her the mistakes Nicholas had made in his diagnostic plan, she flipped and berated me harshly.

"Henry Jenner, not only are you a lousy employee, but your attitude is truly horrible, especially your jealousy!"

She refused to even look at the obvious mistakes I had pointed out.

Every time Nicholas came to our house, the two of them would hole up in the study for hours.

Samantha was well aware that I was incredibly bothered by this. I had told her many times that I hated it when Nicholas came to our home. Whatever business they had to discuss, they could've done it in her office at the hospital. Why did they have to bring it into our house?

Nonetheless, Samantha never once took my words to heart, even increasing the frequency of these meetings to spite me.

Ever since Nicholas intruded into the study, I never stepped foot in there again.

Back in the present, as I lay on the icy surgical table, I faced one of the cameras and said, "Samantha Sonnet, you're utterly filthy. In fact, you had been tainted long ago. I hate dirty things, so I'm divorcing you!"

The netizens on the dark web seemed to think things weren't serious enough and gleefully added fuel to the fire.

"Dr. Sonnet, this man is scorning you for being impure and even had the audacity to bring up divorce!"

Samantha stared at me through the screen, momentarily stunned.

Beside her, Nicholas kept adding fuel to the fire, shaking his head with exaggerated seriousness.

"Divorce? Henry must simply be saying that in a fit of anger. After all, it wasn't easy for him to gain the wealth he has today."

Hearing that, Samantha scoffed, frustrated at herself for almost falling for my "trick".

"Henry, you broke bastard, are you thinking of divorcing me so you can get some of my wealth? Well, the only thing you'll be leaving with is the clothes on your back!"

She then turned to the black-clad man standing beside the surgical table and said sternly, "Turn the lights brighter! He dares to scorn me for being impure? Then I'll make sure he becomes thoroughly impure!"

The surgical lights above me abruptly brightened several notches, forcing me to squint against the piercing glare.

As the mask-clad "surgeon" raised his scalpel, the light danced off the blade in a cold gleam.

I instinctively shut my eyes, my body trembling violently. The anesthesia had dulled my senses and slowed my reaction time, but even so, I couldn't stop myself from shaking in extreme fear.

Next to the "surgeon" sat a newly disinfected organ storage box. Under the harsh lighting, the condensation beading on its surface was particularly visible.

By now, it was already late into the night. Samantha ordered the live stream to cut into a close-up of me, bringing my pale face and terrified eyes into stark focus.

"He's shaking like a leaf! Is this really just an act?"

"I think so? This can't possibly be real, right?"

"Dr. Sonnet sure is cruel to strike him right where it hurts."

"The anesthesia doesn't seem to have fully worn off yet, but they're going to start harvesting his organs in about ten seconds or so, aren't they?"

I struggled against the restraints around my wrists, my nails scrabbling against the metal table with an unpleasant screech.

They were all waiting for me to plead for mercy so they could strip me of everything I was worth.

With faux sincerity, Nicholas coaxed me.

"Henry, it's really not that big a deal to me if you don't want my name on the surgical atlas. However, you should at least show Samantha where you stand."

He had barely finished speaking when the scalpel was lowered closer to me, its sharp edge hovering ominously over my abdomen like the Grim Reaper's scythe, ready to fall at any moment.

Suddenly, the restraint around my wrist gave way.

Seizing this chance, I raised a hand to grab the scalpel, but another man in black seized my arm and pinned me back onto the table.

The icy chill of the surgical table seeped into my bones as the anesthesia drained all strength from my limbs. The only thing I had left was a conscious mind, steeped in despair.

I could barely open my eyes against the harsh lighting, so all I could do was listen to the grinding of machinery.

Samantha's voice rang out from the speakers once more.

"Henry, where's your moral high ground now? Once the doctor slices you open, your kidney will be removed. I'd love to see how you'll maintain that disgustingly pretentious attitude then!"

In a tone dripping with fake concern, Nicholas chimed in.

"Henry, stop acting tough! Just admit your mistakes and apologize to Samantha! Agree to hand over the backup copy and credit only me. Then admit in the live stream that you were wrong for deliberately setting me up and adding mistakes to my diagnostic plan.

"If you do, Samantha will halt this operation immediately, and I'll forgive you like the magnanimous man I am. I won't even pursue the matter of you almost destroying my career and plans."

Samantha abruptly cut him off, her voice shrill as she screamed.

"Henry Jenner, I thought you were jealous of Nicholas, and that was why you often instigated the other staff members to ostracize him. Never did I imagine you'd be so rotten to the core!

"Do you have any idea how many lives depended on that diagnostic plan? How dare you sabotage it in secret?"

I bit my lower lip hard. They were forcefully pushing the blame for something I hadn't done onto me, and to "teach me a lesson", my wife was subjecting me to this illegal organ harvesting operation and was even broadcasting it.

"Get ready to start," she ordered coldly.

The "surgeon" pressed the scalpel against my waist, the icy sting of the blade making me shiver.

The live stream chat, open only to special members, was alive with chatter.

Up on the observation deck, the other people in the room with Samantha spoke in low, excited murmurs.

"Dr. Sonnet, this is truly an amazing idea! Live harvesting of an organ… The sheer shock value alone will make our live stream explode with popularity!"

Someone who looked like an assistant stepped forward with their phone, pressing it tightly against the one-way glass to capture every flicker of terror crossing my face.

"Henry Jenner, do you realize how serious the consequences are now? Hurry up and beg Dr. Sonnet for mercy! Otherwise, once the anesthesia wears off, you'll feel the full sensation of being cut open alive!"

As that person spoke, I felt the faint sensation of my skin being cut open. The sharp pain that followed was the final straw, shattering all my mental defenses.

Yet what hurt even more than the physical pain was the bone-chilling realization that Samantha would truly go this far for Nicholas' sake.

I lay there, feeling my life slowly slipping away as I waited for my organs to be harvested. The anesthesia and fear clouded my mind, turning both my vision and thoughts hazy.

At last, some people in the live stream began to feel uneasy.

"Is this for real? That guy's life is at stake!"

"Isn't this going too far? This isn't just a punishment anymore. It's a serious crime!"

The people on the observation deck also seemed worried that things might go awry.

"Dr. Sonnet, his vital signs are starting to drop. If this continues…"

Staring at my colorless face on the monitor, Samantha replied frostily, "He's incredibly tough, so this won't be enough to kill him! If it weren't for his endless greed and hostility toward Nicholas, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation. This is just a little punishment. If he survives it, then that's his fate. If he dies, then it's well-deserved!"

By now, many netizens were urging me to submit and beg for mercy. But I hadn't done anything wrong. So why should I?

With the last remaining dregs of my willpower, I started to struggle once more. Mustering all the strength I could, I rammed the so-called surgeon's arm away, causing the scalpel to drop to the ground with a clatter.

I ripped off some of the sensors monitoring my vitals and, before anyone could react, rolled off the surgical table. Using the wall for support, I yanked away the rest of the wires.

Not a hint of submission was in my gaze as I turned to look straight at the cameras.

Blood seeped from my wound, sliding down my skin to form a small puddle of bright red at my feet.

The live stream chat fell momentarily silent, everyone astounded at the turn of events. Moments later, the comments came flooding in again.

"That gaze is utterly ruthless! He genuinely doesn't seem to fear death!"

"Dr. Sonnet, things are going out of control, aren't they? Not only is he refusing to beg, but he's even throwing threats around!"

"Who said he was shocked silly just now? He clearly looks ready to fight to the death for his freedom!"

The laughter from the observation deck abruptly ceased.

Gripping the microphone so tightly her fingers turned white, Samantha hollered, "Henry, don't take my kindness for granted! It's still not too late for you to beg me now. If you stay this stubborn, what I'm about to release won't show any mercy!"

I found her words laughable. If I hadn't fought as though my life depended on it, I would already be bound to that surgical table and cut open like a fish!

"Samantha, we all know mercy was never on the table. All you want is to harvest my organs and take my life!"

Nicholas suddenly let out a mock gasp of surprise.

"Henry, why have you ripped off your patient gown?"

It was only then that everyone noticed what he was pointing out. In my struggle, the patient gown had slipped from my body; I was essentially naked. Only clotted blood and dust gave me the barest shred of modesty.

Samantha's face flushed a bright red.

"Henry, Nicholas once said it was in your nature to be obscene, but I hadn't believed him! You… You're practically naked in front of so many cameras! Don't you feel the slightest bit of shame?"

She disregarded my dignity entirely, continuing her barrage of harsh words.

"Was this your plan all along? To use such a method to seduce others? What? Did the feeling of being tied to an icy surgical table and cut open excite you? How obscene of you!"

Rage boiled in me at her words, and I bellowed at the one-way glass.

"Samantha Sonnet, what did I ever do to you? Without me supporting you from the shadows all these years, your hospital would've gone bankrupt long ago! You, of all people, have no right to accuse me of anything!"

Five years! For five entire years, I had secretly helped her by using my resources, even though she never knew. Even a dog would've formed a bond with someone in that time!

Samantha's face briefly contorted, but then she scoffed.

"Help me? What else have you ever given me, other than that surgical atlas? Back then, you were just a broke nobody with nothing to your name! Don't think you have the right to negotiate with me now! And stop trying to gild yourself!"

Nicholas gleefully exacerbated the situation.

"Samantha, maybe the anesthesia hasn't worn off yet, or maybe Henry is just under immense psychological pressure. That's why he's starting to hallucinate and speak nonsense."

The others in the observation room were quick to agree.

"This Henry guy really is quite tough, huh?"

"I honestly thought he wasn't going to make it. Who would've expected that it was all an act?"

Thoroughly infuriated, Samantha seethed. "Seems like you still don't understand your predicament and won't change unless drastic measures are taken!"