No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 347

Ryker clenched the doctor's wrist with a grip that betrayed his desperation. He knew getting to a hospital was out of the question in these conditions. Even the camp's rescue team wouldn't fare much better. He slowly released the doctor. In a low, gravelly voice, he said, "Go ahead. Do it."

The doctor pulled out her surgical tools and set to work on lan's wound.

"Hemostat!"

"Forceps."

"Sutures."

"Gauze."

Ryker stood by, effectively her assistant.

The doctor seemed barely in her twenties, yet her surgical technique was smooth and professional, which took Ryker somewhat by surprise.

An hour later, the bullet was removed from lan, and the wound stitched up. Only then did the doctor straighten up, wiping the beads of sweat from her forehead. She said, "He needs complete rest for at least three days. He's got organ damage; no food allowed for now."

Ryker murmured an acknowledgment, then added a simple "thanks."

The doctor offered a slight smile. "Thanks for what? It's my job. Besides, he got hurt saving those kids. We're on the same side here, fighting for the same cause."

Ryker's dark gaze met hers as he handed her a bottle of water, asking, "How long have you been here?"

"About six months. It's pretty much been like this every day."

"Why would a young woman like yourself choose to be a Doctors Without Borders physician here? Aren't you scared of dying in such a place?"

She smiled faintly. "Healing the sick and injured is my calling. It's the same anywhere, but the need is greater here."

Twisting off the cap, she took a long drink, the untouched sweat still glistening on her complexion.

Ryker frowned slightly, observing her. For a seemingly delicate young woman, she had a backbone of steel. She was alone in this place, a frontier doctor, facing the constant threat of death. You had to be indifferent to your own mortality to come here.

Ryker, who had never thought much of anyone, felt something stir within him. In his deep voice, he asked, "The name's Ryker. And you are?"

"Yolanda."

Night fell around them. They sat vigil by lan's side throughout the night.

Come dawn, the rescue team's vehicle arrived. Ian was loaded onto the stretcher.

As Ryker climbed into the vehicle, he turned to look at Yolanda, uttering a solemn 'farewell' before departing.

Meanwhile...

On the third day post-surgery, Casey awoke. Clara's tightly wound nerves finally relaxed a tad.

However, peace was short-lived. By the next morning, she was roused by a commotion in the hallway.

Leonora was trying to get in but was stopped by the bodyguard. She pointed at the bodyguard's nose, berating, "Don't forget, you're on the Hayes family's payroll. Are you going to stop me? You looking for trouble?"

The bodyguard bowed respectfully, "Sorry, ma'am, Mr. Hayes instructed that no one is allowed in."

"I'm lan's mother, and I just want to ask Clara where she's taken my son. He's fighting for his life because he tried to save her father, and she doesn't even care?"

Leonora was still healing from her own wounds, and raising her voice like that sent sharp pains through her body. With each pang, her hatred for Clara deepened. Her eyes brimmed with malice, and she seemed ready to tear Clara apart.

Just then, Clara stepped out of the room, approaching with a cool gaze. "Leonora, this is a hospital. Such an uproar hardly seems fitting for someone of your standing, does it?"

Leonora glared at Clara, her teeth clenched with rage. "Clara, you bitch, you've done enough by seducing my son. Now you've put him in mortal danger. I'll make you pay." With that, she raised her arm to strike Clara.

But before her hand could reach its mark, it was seized in a firm grip. A low, raspy voice filled her ears.

"Try hitting her and see what happens!"

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