Chapter 2

The security guards arrived quickly.

I pointed at Peter and the box of money. "Throw them both out."

Peter shouted, "How dare you touch me? I work for Mr. Hayes."

The two security guards hesitated.

I looked up. "If you don't throw him out today, you won't be here tomorrow."

The security guards immediately grabbed Peter.

Peter kept cursing as he was dragged out. "Evelyn, you'll regret this. Mr. Hayes won't let you off."

I closed the office door.

Soon, I heard the thud of something heavy hitting the floor outside, followed by the rustle of cash spilling everywhere.

Robert stood there, his forehead covered in sweat. "Evelyn, what exactly is your grudge against the Hayes family?"

I didn't answer.

Just then, my phone on the desk rang. The screen lit up, and a number I hadn't seen in five years flashed across the display: Richard.

I stared at that name, my fingers curling tighter around the phone.

I pressed the answer button.

Richard's voice came over the line immediately. "Evelyn, you've got some nerve now, huh? Daring to kick my people out?"

I leaned back in my chair. "Cut the crap and get to the point."

Richard paused. "You dare talk to me like that?"

I smiled. "What? Haven't been on the receiving end of a tongue-lashing in five years, so you're out of practice?"

Richard's voice went cold. "Isabelle is on the operating table right now. Get over here. Name your price. Save her."

I said, "Not happening."

Richard gritted his teeth. "Evelyn, you're a doctor. How can you stand by and let someone die? Aren't you worried what people will say?"

I stared out the window. "Were you worried when my daughter died?"

There was a brief silence on the line.

Richard's tone turned hard. "Stop using that kid to guilt-trip me. That's ancient history."

I gripped my phone, my knuckles turning white. "For you, maybe. For me, never."

Richard sneered. "Evelyn, I'm offering you this chance because of our past. Refuse it, and I'll ruin your medical career for good."

I said, "Richard, you're absolute trash."

Then I hung up on him.

Robert's expression darkened further. "Evelyn, calm down. Richard is capable of anything."

I slapped my phone down on the desk. "Let him try."

*****

Half an hour later, I heard hurried footsteps outside the door. Leo Young rushed in.

His eyes were red-rimmed, and he clutched a notice in his hand. "Evelyn, something's happened."

I stood up. "What's going on?"

Leo thrust the paper at me. "My medical license has been revoked. The state licensing board just left.

"They said I took bribes from a patient's family. And they're talking about pressing criminal charges."

Robert snatched the notice and scanned it. "That's nonsense. Leo would never take a bribe."

Leo's voice trembled. "I have no idea what's going on. They didn't show me evidence. They only said someone filed a formal complaint against me by name."

I pulled out my phone. The screen lit up just then.

It was a text from Richard: [This is just the beginning.]

I showed the text to Robert.

Robert took a step back. "It really is him. He did this."

Leo froze. "Evelyn, is this because of me?"

I set the notice on the desk. "It wasn't about you. He is a rabid dog lashing out at anyone nearby."

Leo hung his head. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine. I don't have to be a doctor."

I looked at Leo.

He was only twenty-six and had just become an attending. He always followed me around all day and barely had time to eat.

I asked him, "Are you scared?"

Leo wiped a hand across his face. "Yeah, I'm scared. But what scares me more is seeing you swallow your pride for my sake."

I slipped my phone into my pocket. "Then stand tall. I'll get your license back."