CHAPTER 2: CHAPTER 2: THE SURGERY REQUIRES TWO MILLION

Her heart ached dully.

Annelise dared not move.

She had to bite her lip fiercely to stop herself from reaching out to grab him amidst the bustling airport crowd.

Her rounded fingertips dug hard into her palm.

She stood there, stunned, listening to the sound of the man’s steady and strong footsteps gradually fading away.

Until a friend tugged at her white coat, pulling her rationality back.

She then hurriedly shifted her gaze.

Sylvia seemed to not notice anything amiss and continued the previous topic, "Alright, alright, stop looking. My boyfriend isn’t here; he’s already gone to the car to wait for me."

"You know we just got together not long ago, so it’s not the right time to introduce him to friends. Maybe next time, okay? Next time I’ll arrange something proper," Sylvia explained to her.

Annelise let her tears flow inward, genuinely happy for Sylvia. "It’s okay, as long as he treats you well, that’s enough."

"Mm!" Sylvia’s fair cheeks flushed, looking absolutely adorable. "You know it, our families are old friends, and we’re a perfect match. Our elders have been looking forward to this day for a long time."

Shyly biting her lip, her eyes were full of admiration and longing for her partner.

"This time returning, we plan to meet the parents. If everything goes well, we might get married."

"Congratulations, Sylvie. I’m truly happy for you."

Sylvia took out a gift from behind her. "So, to celebrate having won my Mr. Right, I specifically chose a gift for you! Ta-da! Your favorite handbag! Birkin in creamy white, hoping you also have good fortune like mine!"

"I can’t. I can’t accept this!" It’s too expensive; a Birkin crocodile leather, at least tens of thousands.

Although it might not mean much to Sylvia, Annelise is no longer the Annelise she used to be.

She has long lost any need for these kinds of handbags.

Moreover, she’s financially strained, Luna’s surgery fee hasn’t been settled yet, and there’s absolutely no way to return a gift.

She’s even considered borrowing money from Sylvia.

But never imagined, at such a shameful moment, she’d be encountered by him.

Sylvia feigned anger. "Why are you being so formal with me! If you don’t take this bag, then we can say goodbye to our friendship!"

Annelise felt the bag was burning in her hands, filled with words she couldn’t utter, and now there was no way to say them, "But..."

She firmly couldn’t accept these words yet to be spoken.

Sylvia hurriedly wanted to leave, directly stuffing the bag into her arms.

"Alright, I’m going now, my boyfriend is still waiting for me in the car. Let’s meet in a few days."

Not giving Annelise a chance to refuse, Sylvia dragged her suitcase and dashed away.

Annelise didn’t have the courage to chase after her to return the bag, because Sylvia was heading in the same direction as Elias.

Raising her head, Annelise could just see his tall and imposing figure in front of Sylvia, disappearing like a phantom at the door.

She could only take the bag back to the office, planning to return it to Sylvie next time they meet.

But within a short time, the news of Elias, the Crown Prince of Kybourne South Airlines, flying Warner Airlines 8830 through a thunderstorm back home, had already ignited within the Airline.

Moreover, the internal document about Elias transitioning from the Air Force to civil aviation, and returning home to become the youngest captain at Kybourne South Airlines, had also simultaneously been published on the Airline’s internal website.

Back in the office, both her palms were damp with sweat.

Everything around her was reminding her that it was all true.

Elias, he’s returned home.

It was on the very day her daughter’s surgery opportunity was confirmed.

Yet at this moment, more clearly than ever, she realized there was no longer any possibility between them.

It’s more than just a distance between heaven and earth.

Her nose tingled with soreness, she dared not recall any past memories.

Annelise took a deep breath, splashing her face with cold water to regain clarity.

Because she didn’t qualify to think about anything else, her daughter was still waiting for her, she couldn’t afford any more setbacks and needed to quickly gather money for the trip’s planning.

Annelise checked the duty roster, then remotely confirmed with Dr. Flora that there were approximately seven days until the surgery, so she decided to set the departure time for five days later.

That day was Friday.

Their work as flight physicians entailed one-day shifts followed by two days of rest, finishing the twenty-four-hour shift on Thursday, with handover at nine in the morning.

After this, she could take a full two-day break, but two days were obviously not enough, so she’d have to request annual leave for two extra shifts.

To prevent anyone figuring out her plans, she planned to first go to the neighboring city, then from there catch a flight to Meridia.

Only, the time left for her to gather the money was limited.

Total counting, only five days remained.

Checking the time, it was already five in the morning, leaving four hours until she finished work.

After work, she’d have to quickly think of ways to gather funds.

Annelise didn’t dare waste time, using work hours to go online and apply for leave.

Just then, the clinic door was opened from the outside!

A group of stylish, radiant flight attendants walked in, chatting and laughing. Their royal blue uniforms were perfectly fitting, exuding pleasant fragrance.

The leading one strutted proudly, akin to a victorious little swan.

June Winter, the most beautiful image ambassador of Kybourne South Airlines.

"June, your diamond is so big and shiny! First Officer Perry really showered you with lavish gifts! That must be millions, right?"

June Winter flashed the diamond on her hand, nonchalantly responding, "Only eight million! And it’s not a wedding ring, just a little anniversary gift."

Everyone gasped, "So envious! June, we heard you’re only flying two segments today? After that, it’s wedding leave, and for tomorrow’s wedding, surely lots of big names will attend?"

June Winter’s red lips curved mischievously, her voice deliberately raised, "Of course! I’ll let you in on a secret! Tomorrow, Elias will also attend my wedding!"

"Eli...?! Are you talking about the Crown Prince of Kybourne South Airlines, Elias Warner?!"

"Isn’t he just back home?! Could it be he returned specifically to attend your wedding?!"

"June, you truly are a winner in life!! Unlike your sister who not only stole your life but also foolishly dreamed of marrying into the Perry Family. She wasted five years with First Officer Perry only to be dumped so ugly!"

At this point, someone lightly coughed.

The group didn’t expect such a coincidence, running into Annelise, the subject, on duty.

June Winter reveled, dainty and charmingly chirped, "Okay! Hurry up with the physical examination, there’s a pre-flight preparation meeting soon, don’t be late!"

With that said, June Winter first blew a breath into the breathalyzer at the kiosk to test for alcohol.

Then she sat in front of Annelise, stretching out her hand adorned with a diamond to Annelise.

"Trouble you! Pre-flight physical examination."

At this moment Annelise was wearing a white coat and a medical mask.

Only her silk-like black hair and deep, captivating eyes were visible.

Her gaze remained calm, first measuring the other party’s temperature with an ear thermometer, then she pulled over June Winter’s wrist to gauge her blood pressure.

June Winter, having shown off all morning, couldn’t stand being ignored, she bit her lip and snapped angrily.

"Hey! Did your eyes go goofy? Didn’t you see the ring Chase gave me? You don’t have one, do you? Well, Chase isn’t silly; why would he buy you something so expensive, you don’t deserve it."

Seeing Annelise not speaking, June Winter’s big eyes swept to Annelise’s bag placed aside.

"Hmph! I get it! Found a new sponsor, haven’t you?! Sis, not to be cynical, but your taste is really declining, settling for a bag only worth tens of thousands to flaunt, is it?"

Annelise released the sleeve’s pressure, casually remarked, "Systolic 148, not meeting the standard for flying duties, I’ll issue you a grounding slip."