Andrew's voice dropped even lower, "Nan, I'm begging you, please help me!"

"I..."

Nancy wasn't unwilling to help Andrew, but she knew better than anyone the way Dr. Windward operated.

Feeling extremely conflicted and after hesitating for a moment, she couldn't bear to let Andrew down and said tactfully, "Master, I'll give Dr. Windward a call and ask him."

"Good, good, thank you."

After hanging up, Nancy looked at Charlie worriedly. She was close to both Charlie and Henry, and they had overheard her conversation with Andrew.

Charlie gently patted her shoulder, "Nan, do your best and leave the rest to fate. If Dr. Windward is unwilling to help, there's nothing else you can do."

"Okay, alright."

Nancy picked up her phone, found Dr. Windward's number, and dialed it.

The call was quickly connected, and Dr. Windward's hearty laughter came through the earpiece, "Nan, the medical equipment you asked me to review is almost done. I've even had my students and friends conduct experiments with them, and they are excellent. I'll send you the report tomorrow."

"Dr. Windward, it's not about that."

It was hard for Nancy to broach the subject, but she had to, "Doctor, my Master's father just had heart surgery last night, but it wasn't successful. He's in critical condition now. Could you please help and perform the surgery again?"

"Me?"

Dr. Windward was resolute, "No, Nan, you're in the middle of an important project right now, I can't leave it."

Nancy knew Dr. Windward was busy, and she felt she was imposing a difficult request. She wouldn't have made the call if it weren't for Andrew's plea.

"Then... okay..."

Her voice was low and somewhat lost.

Dr. Windward couldn't perform the surgery on Old Mr. Lesser, and she guessed... Master might blame her.

As she was about to hang up, Dr. Windward's voice came through the earpiece again, "Nan, why don't you perform the surgery?"

"Me?"

Nancy instinctively shook her head, "I'm not qualified. People recognize you, not me. I don't have any reputation in the field; they won't let me operate."

Dr. Windward became angry, "What is reputation? What does such an intangible thing amount to? Nan, you are my most prized student. If you can't save him, then even if I went, it would be no turning back!"

Nancy had never considered this perspective, and she became anxious, "But, Dr. Windward..."

"There are no buts!"

Dr. Windward cut her off, "Nan, you've studied with me for so many years, performed dozens of surgeries. You have an extraordinary talent in medicine. Honestly, I was displeased when you went to play the piano, feeling you were wasting your talent. But now, seeing you back working with medical devices, I'm somewhat relieved."

With a softer tone, Dr. Windward continued, "Nan, I believe in you. Go and do it. If they refuse to let you operate because of some reputation, then it's on them!"

Nancy held the phone, staring at it for a long time, Dr. Windward's words echoing in her mind.

She had never thought about performing the surgery herself, but Dr. Windward's words gave her a lot of confidence.