Chapter 11
Owen’s brain stem tumor was positioned too awkwardly, making the surgical risk exceptionally high.
The only place with a history of successful similar cases was Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany, where Professor Krueger stood as the leading international authority in the field.
The private hospital he founded had incredibly strict standards for accepting international patients. Even the wealthy and powerful had to wait in line, let alone someone as unconnected as her.
It wasn’t that she hadn’t tried to reach Jarred.
When Owen’s condition had taken a sharp turn for the worse last year, she had called him like a madwoman, but his assistant was always the one who answered.
He was either out on a mission or out of the country.
Now that their divorce was only one step away from being finalized, she was even less willing to swallow her pride and beg him.
Her attending physician saw her struggle. Seeing that no one was around, he kept his voice low. “Actually, it’s not entirely hopeless. I received word that Professor Krueger himself is currently in the country p>
Sienna’s head snapped up.
“Mr. Zeller from the Sovereign Group secretly invited him over to treat his mother, who suffered a stroke years ago.
To thank him, the Zellers are hosting a banquet at The Capital Springs Hotel tonight. Every prominent figure in the Capital will be there.
If you can just get close to Professor Krueger, even if it’s just to ask him to look at Owen’s scans and offer a little advice, it might buy us more time p>
The Zellers?
Jarred had taken Sienna to very few social events, and she had absolutely no connections with an old-money family like the Zellers.
Just then, her phone vibrated. A string of numbers flashed across the screen. Even without a saved name, Sienna had them memorized by heart.
Sienna hadn’t expected Jarred to contact her on his own accord.
After what happened last night, she thought he would at least give her the cold shoulder for a while.
She swiped to answer. “What do you want p>
Jarred’s voice carried its usual careless drawl. “There’s a banquet tonight. I need you to attend p>
Sienna flat-out refused. “You shouldn’t be short on dates, and besides, I’m under no obligation p>
“Tonight is about representing the Sterling family, Dr. Sloan. As long as you’re still Mrs. Sterling, you have to keep up appearances p>
His sharp tongue couldn’t be hidden. “Or is it that you’ve lost your touch for social pleasantries after being cooped up for a while p>
Sienna was just about to snap back when the attending physician’s words suddenly echoed in her mind.
She asked coolly, “What banquet p>
“An appreciation dinner Mr. Zeller is throwing for Mrs. Zeller, which also doubles as her birthday banquet p>
The opportunity had practically delivered itself to her doorstep.
Sienna’s mind raced, calculating the penalty fees for delaying the divorce.
Yet, she continued to play hard to get. “I really can’t. The police squad just brought in a high-risk patient. I can’t leave p>
She knew how much Jarred valued police matters; he wouldn’t be able to dismiss this excuse easily.
Sure enough, Jarred’s voice deepened. “Which precinct brought them in? What’s the situation p>
Sienna gave a vague response and quickly changed the subject. “However… if you’re willing to pay, I could ask my mentor to cover my shift p>
The man on the other end fell silent for a second before letting out a low chuckle. “Dr. Sloan, your ulterior motives are practically slapping me in the face p>
Before Sienna could say a word, he asked, “How much p>
Sienna kept her voice steady. “Three million dollars. One time p>
“Done.” Jarred agreed smoothly, as if it were just three hundred bucks. “At six, I’ll have Barrett pick you up for styling. My car will be waiting outside p>
“No need. I have another patient at seven,” Sienna said. “Just send someone over with the invitation, and I’ll head there directly p>
After a beat of silence, Jarred’s teasing voice came through the line. “What kind of patient is so demanding? I recall you never work overtime p>
“As long as the price is right, I’ll work overtime until they go bankrupt,” Sienna replied evenly.