Chapter 7 - The Hospital Board and Public Ruin
Rowan’s face was pale, but her posture was as unyielding as a fortress wall.
"Get this man out of my ward," Rowan said, pointing a steady finger directly at Richard Caldwell.
Richard adjusted his silk tie, attempting to regain his customary boardroom composure.
"Dr. Pierce," Richard said smoothly, his tone dripping with condescension.
"Let us not be dramatic in front of the hospital staff."
"My attorney has prepared a very generous arrangement that will secure your child's financial future without embarrassing anyone."
"Do not speak to her," I snarled, stepping between my father and Rowan.
Dr. Margaret Foster stepped forward, her white physician's coat fluttering behind her.
"Richard, you have overstepped your authority for the last time in this facility," Dr. Foster said sharply.
"You used your position on our charitable foundation to threaten my oncology department eight months ago."
"I stayed silent because Dr. Pierce begged me not to endanger the research funding."
"But that silence ends today."
Richard sneered, looking around the gathering circle of hospital staff.
"I donate fifteen million dollars annually to St. Mary’s," Richard warned.
"One phone call to the board chairman, Margaret, and your tenure as Chief of Staff is terminated by five o'clock."
"Make the call," I interrupted, staring down the man who had controlled my entire life.
Richard turned his furious gaze back to me.
"What did you say?"
"Make the call, Richard," I repeated, pulling my executive ID badge from my wallet.
I dropped the plastic card onto the floor beside Arthur’s scattered legal files.
"I resign as Chief Executive Officer of Caldwell Therapeutics, effective immediately."
"I am liquidating my private stock options and transferring every voting proxy to the minority shareholders."
Arthur Finch let out a strangled gasp.
"Sebastian, that will collapse the merger valuation before the market opens tomorrow!"
"Let it collapse," I said, never taking my eyes off my father.
"I spent ten years helping you manufacture overpriced medication and crush competition."
"I am done."
"I am returning to pediatric surgery, and I am filing an official ethics complaint against Caldwell Therapeutics for corporate espionage."
Richard’s aristocratic veneer completely shattered.
His hands shook with uncontrolled rage as he realized he had lost his only heir and his most lucrative business deal in a single afternoon.
"You will leave this hospital with nothing, Sebastian," Richard hissed, his voice trembling.
"Not a single penny of family trust money."
"Not a single contact."
"You will be a nobody."
"I was a nobody when I listened to you," I answered quietly.
"Security!" Dr. Foster called out, gesturing to the four guards who had just arrived from the main lobby.
"Escort Mr. Richard Caldwell and his counsel off hospital property immediately."
"If either man sets foot on this floor again, have them arrested for criminal trespass."
Richard glared at me, then at Rowan, and finally at the tiny bundle in Dr. Foster's arms.
With a stiff, humiliated jerk of his chin, he turned on his heel and marched toward the elevators, Arthur scurrying behind him like a frightened dog.
The corridor fell into an echoing silence.
Rowan swayed slightly against her IV pole, and I reached out instinctively to catch her elbow.
May you like
She looked down at my hand on her arm, her hazel eyes swimming with unreadable emotions.
She didn't pull away, but she didn't lean into me either.
