"Strange, they found you too late. And you've already missed the optimal window for treatment."
Alan stood to the side. Seeing that Christine didn't know how to bring it up, he decided to take on the role of the bad guy himself.
Only then did Strange realize Christine wasn't the only one in the room. He turned his head with difficulty toward the voice and saw the unfamiliar man.
The heart monitor labeled "660" began to spike violently.
Alan noticed the sudden escalation in the monitor's sound. Rather than letting Strange boil slowly like a frog in warm water, it was better to rip off the bandage.
Christine looked up sharply. "Alan, what are you doing…?! He can't take any more stress right now!"
Even though she knew what Alan said was the truth, Christine had hoped to wait until Strange was in better shape before telling him.
Strange asked, "Christine, who is this man? Is what he said true?"
But before she could answer, Strange began muttering to himself. He simply couldn't accept the reality being laid out.
"It must be the doctors in this hospital. They didn't know what they were doing. Christine, help me schedule an appointment with the top specialists.
If they're not sure where to start, I can guide them myself!"
Alan sighed softly. As expected, Stephen couldn't accept the truth. Christine's emotions were also on the verge of collapse.
She simply couldn't bring herself to say something that would utterly destroy Stephen's hope.
Unfortunately, Alan didn't seem intent on giving them time to process.
"Strange, you don't have enough money. And as I said, your hands have already missed the best window for treatment.
As a doctor, you should understand what that means."
Alan knew how cold his words sounded—but facts were facts.
There was no reason to lie just to preserve Strange's emotions.
If Strange found out the truth later, it would be even more devastating.
"No, this can't be happening…" Strange wailed in anguish. He glared at Alan with hatred. "Who the hell are you? Don't compare me to those other doctors!"
"I'm not like them! Look at my hands! This—this disaster is their masterpiece! If I'd done it, it wouldn't look this hideous!"
Christine covered her mouth and began sobbing uncontrollably. She knew Strange just needed to vent his emotions.
Through tear-filled eyes, she looked at Alan and shook her head gently…
As if to tell him: *Let Stephen get it out of his system. Don't argue with him yet. Maybe once he's vented, he'll calm down.*
"Christine, step outside for a moment. I need to speak with Stephen alone." Alan had no intention of following her advice.
Getting Stephen Strange to calm down wasn't going to happen through comforting lies.
The man knew perfectly well there was zero chance of his hands being saved.
All this rage—this outburst—was just a way for him to find someone to blame.
"But he…" Christine hesitated as she stood up. From what she heard, it didn't sound like Stephen even knew Alan.
Yet this man claimed to be Stephen's friend, which felt strange and suspicious.
"Go handle the payment first. Use my card." Alan pulled a credit card from his pocket and handed it to Christine.
"I'll talk to Stephen and help him calm down."
...
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