"Don't worry. I have the influence to stay in the medical field and protect you for life," Darwin gently said.

"Director Higgins has already abandoned you!" I shouted.

His body stiffened for a moment, then he let out a chuckle. "No. He won't."

A heart-wrenching scream tore through the air. Sweat mixed with tears slid down my forehead.

For the sake of a single promise—‘Save her’—Darwin could go this far...

I couldn’t feel my right hand anymore. I didn’t dare turn my head. I didn’t dare imagine what my hand had become.

“Anna, it’s okay now. It’s fine. Be good…”

A towel wrapped around my mangled hand. Darwin kissed my wrist gently. "Don't worry. I will stay with you for the rest of your life."

My voice trembled. "Get out—"

"Anna—"

"Get away from me!!" I shouted.

Gasping for breath, he finally let go. "Anna, I'm sorry. But until this is settled, you must stay here. Beatrice's reputation cannot be ruined."

I laughed and cried at the same time. "You're just afraid I'll go out and tell the truth."

"Sorry..." His apology was swallowed as the door shut in my face.

Darkness swallowed the room. My consciousness slipped into chaos.

...

I woke up again when Darwin shook my arm.

"Annalise! Annalise, wake up! Why is Carmella bleeding again? Didn't you save her?"

My right hand was numb—gone to cold nothing. I stared at the man who looked like he would burst into pieces. A bitter laugh escaped me.

"Such a severe injury needs follow-up care. How could everything be fine after a single surgery?"

"You..." Darwin tightened his grip, panic sharpening his voice. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

Then, as if remembering, he loosened his hold and yanked my left hand, trying to drag me out.

"Hurry up! Stabilize Carmella's condition, or Beatrice will be held responsible!"

"Darwin!" I summoned every ounce of strength I had left. "My right hand is gone!"

He froze mid-step, eyes snapping to my right wrist. His pupils dilated.

"It'll be fine..." He inhaled sharply. "You can do it with one hand."

He looked into my eyes and added, "Anna, you're so skilled—you can manage with one hand, right?"

Slap!

My left hand left a red print across his face. My whole body trembled in rage. "Do you really believe Beatrice—that surgery can be done single-handed?"

He mumbled, as if arguing with himself, "No... Beatrice said a one-handed delivery is possible..."

He grabbed the stump of my right arm, ignoring my teeth-grinding agony. "It's okay, Anna. Try it—what if you can? If you don't operate, Beatrice will shoulder the blame!"

Before I could say anything, a loud bang sounded and the door flew open.

A tall man, long-legged and menacing, stood framed in the doorway, his suit askew, face carved with fury.

"What have you done to my sister?" Augustus' voice was brimming with killing intent.

Behind him, Beatrice was held fast by bodyguards; blood stained the corner of her mouth. I shifted my gaze to the man following Augustus.

"Director Higgins!"

"Dr. Humphrey..." The director's eyes locked onto my severed hand, widening in absolute disbelief.

Augustus slapped the director's shoulder, his voice was cold as he snapped. "Do you want to tell the truth yourselves—or shall I investigate personally?"

Director Higgins stiffened. If Augustus uncovered the truth himself, it wouldn't be a matter that could be smoothed over with a voluntary confession.

I pointed at Beatrice with my left hand and shouted.

"It was her! She insisted on a one-handed delivery—that's what caused the incision into the aorta and the massive hemorrhage—"

"Stop spouting nonsense!"

The director suddenly barked at me, his voice sharp.

"It was you who wanted to outshine Dr. Ingram. You deliberately showed off by operating with one hand, and when something went wrong, you maimed your own right hand to make it look like you'd never performed the surgery at all!"

I stared at Director Higgins in disbelief.

"Director Higgins... what are you saying? The surgical records clearly list Beatrice as the lead surgeon!" I clapped back.

"She’s a newbie—wouldn’t it be easy for you to push the blame onto her?" He spat, then stepped closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear. "I'm sorry. But your right hand is ruined; it's no use to you anymore. Dr. Ingram may be inexperienced now, but she still has the potential to become a renowned physician. Forget the agreement we had before. It's over."

The faint curve of Augustus' lips began to flatten into something dangerous.

"Find four cars," he said coldly. "Tie this filthy woman's hands and feet to each of them, and drive in four different directions. I want to see how many pieces she ends up in."

Then his gaze flicked to my maimed hand and his brow arched.

"Oh, right. One hand is already useless. Tie her neck instead."

The bodyguards really did bring ropes and fastened my limbs—and my neck—to four gleaming Rolls-Royces.

I struggled desperately, my body shaking.

Darwin leaned close, murmuring in a soothing tone, "Mr. Cordova won't really kill you. He just wants to teach you a lesson. Bear with it quietly; it'll be over soon."

Behind him, Beatrice let out a muffled sob.

Darwin spun around and hurried toward her, leaving me at the mercy of engines rumbling to life.

I screamed hoarsely, my throat tearing, "The person who tried to murder your sister isn't me! I have evidence!"

Augustus' brows drew together. His eyes flicked back to me.

"I have proof," I said, glaring at him, every word like a knife. "Proof that the one who approved that one-handed delivery, destroyed the records afterward, shielded the culprit, and deceived you... wasn't me!"

"She's insane..." Director Higgins gave a strained laugh, reaching out to tug at Augustus' sleeve.

But Augustus' bloodshot eyes burned as he shook the man off and leaned down toward me.

"You have one chance," he said, voice glacial. "What is it?"