Chapter 51

Eleanor was about to nod when her phone vibrated.

A glance at the screen made her pause. "Sorry,Lillian, I'll have to take this. We'll catch up another time."

Knowing Eleanor's status and the weight of her responsibilities, Lillian didn't protest. She released her arm with an easy grin. "No problem, babe.Just promise to call me when you're free."

Lillian gave a cheeky wink before strutting off,lighthearted as always.

Watching her friend disappear into the distance,Eleanor allowed herself a faint smile before lifting the phone to her ear.

"Boss, the Stewart family just placed an order through the Underground Network. They're demanding the Soul Surgeon, claiming they'll pay whatever it takes. Just now, they even raised the offer-money or otherwise, any terms can be negotiated. What's your decision?"

The woman's tone on the phone carried a clear hesitation.

Normally, such requests came often, accompanied by staggering bids, some even reaching a billion.Eleanor had turned every single one away. It was hard to imagine this time being any different.

But the image of Nolan's uncharacteristically tense expression flashed across her mind, stirring something within her.

Could this desperation be for Fannie?

Eleanor's fingers tightened around the phone. Then,after a soft exhale, she gave her verdict. "Accept it."

On the other end, silence stretched before the woman blurted in disbelief, "Boss...what?"

Eleanor's face remained composed, her voice level. $100 million. And the location must be cleared. No one stays."

Her double identity had to remain buried. If Nolan lingered nearby, his sharp eyes might see through her facade.

The woman on the line was stunned. One hundred million?

That was far less than what others had offered, yet this time Eleanor.relented.

Was the gossip circulating in Elepdon true?

Was Eleanor somehow involved with Nolan?

She dared not probe further. With respectful haste,she replied, "Understood, boss. I'll make the arrangements."

When Erick received the news, he could hardly contain his excitement. "Mr. Stewart, the Soul Surgeon has agreed! They're only asking for $100million. The only condition is that no one can be present during the treatment." The money wasn't a problem. It was the stipulation that gave him pause.

Fannie was the family's precious gem.

The thought of leaving her in the care of some mysterious doctor felt reckless. What if something went wrong?

But Erick reminded himself that people with real talent were often a little unusual, even eccentric. If this Soul Surgeon was as skilled as their reputation suggested, then perhaps trust was the only option.

Ultimately, the choice wasn't his to make. It rested with Nolan.

Nolan's eyes lingered on Fannie's pale, still figure.

After a long pause, his voice cut through the tension."Do it. Follow their terms."

Thirty minutes later, a woman dressed head to toe in black, her face hidden behind a silver mask, stepped into the hospital. Erick's eyes followed her as she entered the room.So this was the famous Soul Surgeon? He hadn't expected her to be this young, and a woman, no less.Appearances never told the whole story.

Eleanor, oblivious to his scrutiny, had already made her way to Fannie's bedside. She examined Fannie carefully, her brow knitting as the truth revealed itself.

So that was it. NNo wonder Fannie's body was so frail.

A rare genetic mutation had left her with a blood disorder so unusual it was scarcely recorded anywhere in the world.

For most doctors, it was untouchable, impossible to cure.

And yet, Fannie had survived this long, thanks to the Stewart family's tireless efforts.

However, untreatable did not mean hopeless.

From her compact kit, Eleanor produced needles.

With practiced precision, she inserted each one, channeling energy into the girl's weakened body.

When the procedure ended nearly half an hour later,the pallor on Fannie's cheeks had given way to a faint,healthy flush.

Eleanor allowed herself a quiet breath of relief. At least part of her debt to Nolan had been lessened.

She tucked the girl in gently, then packed away her things and left the room.

Outside, Erick, blindfolded as she had ordered,hurried to her side. "Soul Surgeon, how is MMiss Stewart?" His tone brimmed with restrained urgency.

Eleanor answered evenly, "Her state has stabilized.But this illness is congenital. Long-term treatment is required. This was only the first stage. She'll need two more sessions, once a week, before she can be fully healed."

For the first time, someone had spoken with certainty about curing Fannie.

The Soul Surgeon's reputation was no exaggeration. Ecstatic, Erick nearly bent in a full bow. "Thank you!Thank you, Soul Surgeon! I'll see that your fee is delivered immediately."

Eleanor only gave a small nod before vanishing down the corridor.

Once the silence returned, Erick removed his blindfold and pulled out his phone, his hands trembling with excitement as he sent a message."Boss, Miss Stewart can be saved."