Chapter 20 #2
I stared at him, watching the defeat on his face, feeling satisfied.
"Sorry to disappoint, but besides money and power, I do have plenty of other qualities," I said with a cold smile. "But you don't deserve to hear about any of them."
I straightened, meeting his eyes.
"Anyone in this world who tries to take Ella from me," I lowered my voice, "I'll make them regret being alive."
Joe's fingers trembled on the desk edge. His lips parted slightly, but no words came. His eyes showed the truest reaction to unknown fear.
Too bad I'd always followed through on my words. I never bothered with, and never needed to, make empty threats.
I turned, pulled open the door, and walked out. Now that cards were on the table, no need to maintain gentlemanly pretense.
After leaving his office, I called my assistant.
"Schedule meetings with every member of this hospital's board," I said, my voice perfectly calm. "Tell them the Rockefeller family plans to invest in their nephrology research center, enough to renovate this entire building."
Silence on the other end for a few seconds.
"Sir, are you certain?" My assistant's voice carried hesitation.
"This investment requires due diligence, asset valuation, board voting, regulatory approval.
.. normal procedure takes at least three months, involves massive legal documentation and compliance reviews.
We don't even have their financial statements yet. .."
"I don't care about procedure," I cut him off. "Call their lawyers. Tell them if they can produce a letter of intent by ten tonight, I'll wire thirty million as good faith money. Framework agreement tomorrow. The rest—we'll handle as we sign."
"But sir, this doesn't follow investment protocol."
"Then make it follow," I said, temple throbbing. "Get the best legal team. I want to be a major investor in this hospital by tomorrow."
"Understood," my assistant said. I could hear him typing rapidly. "I'll arrange it immediately."
My purpose was simple. If Ella placed all her hope in this hospital, if her sister's life depended on this place, then I needed to control it. I wouldn't allow any more uncontrollable variables around her.
The next morning, in a discreet, luxurious conference room, the board and I reached an agreement. Their eyes lit up at the numbers on the check.
"Mr. Rockefeller, this investment means everything to us," the chairman said.
"Good," I pushed the documents toward him. "But I have one condition."
"Please."
"The nephrology department needs personnel optimization and process reengineering," I said, Joe's frightened expression flashing through my mind. "Especially the intern rotation system. I expect to see a more professional, more efficient team."
The chairman looked at me, a knowing smile in his eyes. After all his years in this circle, of course he understood my meaning.
"Of course, Mr. Rockefeller. We'll handle it immediately."
"Personnel adjustment notice for Nephrology Department: Dr. Joe Morrison has been transferred from Maya Bruce's medical team to the Emergency Department rotation. This is part of standard training protocol designed to familiarize interns with operations across all departments."
I received this text from hospital administration while on my routine evening walk with Ella.
I stared at the screen, smiling with satisfaction.
Standard training protocol. Perfect phrasing.
No one would question it. To become an excellent doctor, you had to be tested in every department.
Emergency was particularly character-building—every day a race against death, no time to think about anything else.
If he refused, his internship would be reevaluated.
So he wouldn't refuse. He was too young, needed this experience too badly. He'd go to Emergency, get so busy sleep became a luxury, and slowly forget about that blonde woman in the nephrology ward.
Honestly, not every intern got this opportunity. From a certain angle, I was even helping him. A reward for helping Ella. Emergency experience would look great on his résumé. Years from now, when he became an attending somewhere, he might even be grateful for this transfer.
I told myself this wasn't revenge. This was resource reallocation. A decision that benefited everyone.
I almost believed it.
"What's wrong?" Ella's voice pulled me back.
I looked up. Streetlight stretched her shadow long across the ground, overlapping with mine. Night wind lifted her hair, golden strands drifting across her cheek. She tucked them back—that gesture made her look beautiful.
"Nothing," I pocketed my phone. "Spam text."
She glanced at me, those almond eyes full of simple trust. She believed me that easily. Then she turned toward the discount supermarket, face showing childlike anticipation, like entering a cave full of treasure.
I followed behind, pushing that squeaky-wheeled shopping cart.
I wasn't sure if Joe's departure would redirect more of Ella's attention to me. But even if there was the slightest chance, I'd give everything to claim it. I didn't want to leave her, didn't want any man near her. I'd become her shadow, her guardian, forever marking her within my territory.
Wherever she went became my territory.
I'd keep standing within her reach, like an iceberg slowly melting the grudge she held against me.
Until she willingly returned to the manor with me.