Wren Wynter frowned. It wasn’t that she was unwilling, but this particular surgery required a high degree of synergy between the two lead surgeons.

"I’ll think about it."

With that, she looked at her aunt. "Auntie, I’m going to do my rounds first. I’ll come back to see you later."

"Okay, go ahead."

Wren Wynter nodded, gave Mason Shaw a brief nod as well, and left.

Back in her office, Wren suddenly remembered the bet she had made with her mentor.

She needed to make a trip to Moonwater Villa this weekend.

During her lunch break, Wren went to the cafeteria to eat. She had just sat down when she overheard a discussion from the next table.

"Why are people so stubborn these days? I told her as clearly as I could—with a progesterone level below 10, there’s absolutely no point in trying to save the pregnancy. Any more delays and the mother will be in serious danger."

"That’s to be expected. What mother would be willing to give up on her child?"

"Sigh!"

Listening to the topic the doctor and nurse were discussing, Wren couldn’t help but feel a little emotional.

It was understandable for a pregnant mother, influenced by hormones, to be reluctant to have the surgery.

But with progesterone below 10, the embryo’s development really should be terminated.

"Her husband came with her for the first few check-ups, but I haven’t seen him these last few times. When I ask her about it, she just hems and haws. I’m guessing he’s having an affair, and she’s probably trying to use the baby to secure some rights for herself or to save her marriage."

"That’s possible! Ugh, marriage... what does it really give us women, anyway? We go through so much to bear children for these men, and how can they cheat on us so shamelessly? I just don’t get it."

"Tell me about it!"

Wren ate her meal slowly. When they brought up marriage, she paused for a moment, lost in her own thoughts.

Suddenly, a tall figure cast a shadow over her, and a tray of food was placed on the table opposite her.

"Dr. Wynter, you don’t mind if I join you, do you?" Mason Shaw asked, a gentle smile on his face.

Wren snapped out of her thoughts and replied politely, "I don’t mind."

Mason Shaw asked, "Dr. Wynter, have you considered the suggestion I made earlier today?"

"Dr. Shaw, I’m not a doctor in your department. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to participate in one of your department’s surgeries," Wren replied in a calm tone.

Mason Shaw gave a faint smile. "Dr. Wynter, every doctor in this hospital knows about your surgical skills. That’s not an issue at all. As long as you agree, I have ways to convince the hospital director."

"I don’t agree," Wren refused without hesitation.

Mason Shaw was taken aback. He had thought Wren would be more than willing to operate on her own relative, not that she would refuse so decisively.

"Why?"

"Mason Shaw, you’re a doctor. You should be well aware of how much risk this surgery would face if I agreed to your proposal. We cannot gamble with a patient’s life," Wren said, her tone sharp and severe.

"Dr. Wynter, that wasn’t my intention. I just thought that with your abilities, this surgery would be a piece of cake for you. Since you’re not willing, then let’s just forget it."

"You overestimate me!" Wren said sternly. "You are my aunt’s lead surgeon. Pushing her surgery off onto another doctor is already against protocol. If you’re really unwilling to do it, then go to the director and request a change in lead surgeon, instead of coming to me privately."

Mason Shaw lowered his gaze and pressed his lips together. A dark glint flashed in his eyes, but he skillfully concealed his displeasure. When he looked up again, his face had returned to its usual calm and gentle expression.

"I was being inconsiderate. But I still believe that in this entire hospital, the only two people who can perform this surgery are you and I."

Wren frowned. "Are there no other doctors in your department?"

Mason Shaw looked troubled and sighed heavily. "Why else do you think I came to you? Although our hospital’s medical standards are among the best in the entire Capital, there aren’t many who can handle this type of case. Dr. Wynter, you’re not going to tell me you can’t do it either, are you?"

Wren felt a headache coming on. "Your department head can’t do it either?"

Mason Shaw shook his head.

Wren hesitated.

After careful consideration, she said, "The surgery is in three days. I’ll do it with you."

"Deal. Thank you, Dr. Wynter."

...

After work, Wren returned to View Gardens.

She walked into the villa and saw Kaden Xavier sitting on the sofa, watching TV with the remote in his hand.

’Home from work this early today?’

"Ma’am, what would you like for dinner tonight?" Butler Chandler came forward to ask.

Wren said slowly, "Let’s have seafood. I haven’t had it in a long time."

As she spoke, Kaden Xavier suddenly stiffened, his grip on the remote tightening.

He didn’t eat seafood; in fact, he was allergic to it.

Wren knew this, which was why it had never been served at their dinner table before.

Kaden Xavier frowned, saying with displeasure, "I don’t eat seafood."

"Well, I love it. If you don’t want it, you can make something for yourself. No one’s here to coddle you," Wren retorted, no longer willing to accommodate him.

’From now on, she wouldn’t inconvenience herself for this scumbag anymore.’

Kaden Xavier said, "Don’t you dislike seafood?"

"You’re the one who dislikes it." Wren didn’t want to argue with Kaden Xavier any longer and went straight upstairs.

Kaden Xavier asked, "Uncle Chandler, does Wren like seafood?"

"Sir, Ma’am has loved seafood since she was a little girl," Butler Chandler replied quietly, his face betraying no emotion.

Kaden Xavier was in a daze.

So, for the three years of their marriage, she had always been the one tolerating him, accommodating him.

Guilt instantly filled his chest, so overwhelmingly that he could barely breathe.

When Wren came down for dinner, she found that besides the seafood she loved, there were other dishes as well.

Kaden Xavier even broke his habit and served her some food, leaving Wren stunned for a good while.

’Isn’t he a germaphobe?’

’Not anymore?’

"You can just eat your own food; you don’t need to serve me. And if you’re doing this out of guilt for not knowing I like seafood, then it’s even more unnecessary. After all, I did it willingly before."

"From now on, you can tell me what you like to eat," Kaden Xavier said earnestly.

Wren didn’t answer, not wanting to spoil her good mood while eating.

Seeing her silence, Kaden Xavier didn’t press the matter.

After dinner, Kaden Xavier received a call from his company and left.

Back in her room, just as Wren was about to look over her aunt’s medical records, her phone buzzed.

She picked up her phone to check.

*Dr. Wynter, are you free tomorrow? Would it be convenient to meet?*

It was from Seraphina Sutton.

Wren’s brow furrowed.

She didn’t think there was any need for them to meet.

Wren ignored it and continued looking at the medical records.

Perhaps realizing Wren wasn’t replying, Seraphina Sutton called her directly.

"Seraphina Sutton, what on earth do you want?" Wren’s patience had run out. She answered the call, her tone hostile.

"Dr. Wynter, are you free tomorrow? Can we meet?"

"No."

’She wasn’t stupid enough to walk right into a trap set by Seraphina Sutton.’

’There was no way anything good could come from Seraphina contacting her out of the blue like this.’

’Besides, she’s pregnant. If she so much as trips or gets bumped, Wren would have no way to defend herself and couldn’t bear that responsibility.’

"Dr. Wynter, I know you’ve always misunderstood me, thinking I stole Kaden from you. I’m sorry for everything I’ve done and for the misunderstanding I’ve caused you. I’m so sorry."

Seraphina Sutton’s voice was timid, and if you listened closely, you could hear she was on the verge of tears.

Wren was stunned.

’Did the sun rise in the west today?’

’Seraphina Sutton was this self-aware?’

’Even so, she had no intention of forgiving her.’

"Oh. I don’t accept."