Chapter 3 - The Patriarch’s Arrival
Raymond Vance walked down the corridor with the terrifying, unhurried grace of an apex predator entering his own domain. Flanking him were six armed private security officers whose eyes scanned the hallway like hawks, instantly identifying Dr. Harrison and Clara as immediate security threats.
"Uncle Raymond," Emily choked out, the sudden rush of safety causing her knees to finally give out.
Raymond moved with astonishing speed for a man of his years. He closed the remaining distance in three long strides, catching Emily by the elbows just before she hit the floor, supporting her weight with strong, steady hands.
"Emily, my child," Raymond said, his deep, resonant voice rich with sudden, fierce concern. He looked down at her pale face and the way she clutched her abdomen. "Are you hurt? Did these... parasites lay a hand on you?"
Emily shook her head, leaning against him for support. "I'm okay, Uncle. But they tried to force me to sign papers. They... they wanted to take my baby."
Raymond’s head snapped up. The temperature in the hallway dropped twenty degrees. He turned his glacial, piercing gaze away from Emily and fixed it directly upon Clara and Dr. Harrison.
Clara was shaking so hard she had to grab the wall to keep from collapsing. Her magenta designer suit suddenly looked like cheap armor against the wrath of the most powerful man in the state.
"R-Raymond..." Clara stuttered, forcing a trembling, plastic smile to her lips. "Uncle Raymond! Thank goodness you’re here! This... this is a misunderstanding! Emily is unwell, she’s delusional, and Dr. Harrison and I were simply trying to ensure she received proper psychiatric care—"
"Shut your mouth, Clara," Raymond commanded. It wasn't a shout. It was a low, subterranean growl that made Clara snap her jaws shut instantly, biting her lip hard enough to draw a bead of blood.
Raymond looked at Dr. Harrison, who was currently pressing his back flat against the wall, sliding down into a pathetic crouch on the floor.
"And you," Raymond said softly, stepping toward the cowering physician. "Dr. Harrison. A man whose medical license was personally funded by my foundation. You conspired to falsify psychiatric commitments and adoption surrenders inside my hospital?"
"Sir... I can explain... Clara said—" Dr. Harrison sobbed, burying his face in his hands.
"Security," Raymond ordered without turning around.
The two lead guards stepped forward instantly, their hands resting on their cuffs.
"Take Dr. Harrison to the basement holding cells, strip him of his medical credentials, and notify the state medical board that his license is permanently revoked," Raymond commanded coldly. "Then, escort Miss Clara Vance off hospital property. Confiscate her phone, her car keys, and any recording devices. If she ever steps foot within five miles of a St. Jude facility again, arrest her for trespassing and corporate espionage."
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"You can't do this!" Clara shrieked, her aristocratic veneer completely shattering as the guards grabbed her arms, hauling her backward down the corridor. "I am a Vance! You can't treat me like this over a nobody!"
"You share my last name, Clara, but you possess none of my honor," Raymond stated, his voice ringing down the empty hallway as she was dragged away, her muffled screams fading into the distance.
