He stared at me, his hyper-analytical brain struggling to process the sudden shift in atmospheric pressure. He opened his mouth to deploy another gaslighting deflection—but the heavy, synchronized thud of tactical boots marching down the clinic corridor silenced him before he could speak.

Chapter 4: The Takedown

“What exactly did you just say to me?” Julian demanded, his voice eerily smooth, though his pupils dilated with sudden, primal caution.

Beatrice stepped forward, her diamond bracelets clinking like armor. “Eleanor, do not embarrass yourself in public. My son runs this entire hospital network.”

“No, Beatrice,” I corrected, my tone dropping to a glacial zero. “He ran it. Past tense.”

The ultrasound technician, sensing the invisible detonation, quietly set down her wand and pressed her back against the far wall, trying to become invisible.

Julian’s eyes darted frantically. He looked at the technician, then at the heavy oak door, and finally his gaze snapped up to the subtle black dome of the security camera I’d identified earlier.