Chapter 3 - The Power Behind the Name|
An hour passed in suffocating silence.
Julian stood outside the doors of the operating room, his hands thrust into his trouser pockets, staring at the polished linoleum floor. His personal assistant, Marcus, walked up quietly, holding a tablet and a steaming cup of black coffee.
"The media is going wild, Mr. Sterling," Marcus reported in a low voice. "Someone leaked a video of the incident at the gala. Saraphina Rivers’ social media accounts are being dismantled by the public. And Matthew Hayes' company stock has already dropped twelve percent in after-hours trading."
"Drop it further," Julian commanded without looking up.
Marcus paused. "Sir?"
"Call our brokerage. Short every share of Hayes Dynamics," Julian said coldly. "By tomorrow afternoon, I want his board demanding his resignation."
"Understood, sir," Marcus replied, tapping his tablet. "And Miss Rivers?"
"File formal criminal assault charges with the District Attorney. Make sure the prosecutor knows that if she gets bail, I will personally fund the victim's civil suit until Saraphina doesn't have a dime left to her name."
Before Marcus could respond, the double doors of the operating room swung open. Dr. Harrison, the lead surgeon, stepped out, pulling down his surgical mask. He looked exhausted, but his eyes held a flicker of relief.
Julian stepped forward immediately. "How is she? The baby?"
"It was close, Mr. Sterling," Dr. Harrison sighed, wiping his brow. "Severe abdominal trauma causing partial placental abruption. But by some miracle, we managed to stabilize the bleeding without an emergency C-section. The baby’s heartbeat is steady."
Julian let out a long, shuddering breath he didn't realize he had been holding. "And Elise?"
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"She’s weak, exhausted, and emotionally shattered, but physically, she will recover," the doctor answered. "She needs absolute bed rest and zero stress for the remaining eight weeks of her pregnancy. If her blood pressure spikes again, we will lose the child."
"She won't have any stress," Julian vowed quietly. "I'll make sure of it."
