Chapter 27

The next day, Williams allowed herself the rare indulgence of breakfast at home, savoring the tranquility her staff had created. Though the weight of yesterday’s surgery still lingered on her shoulders, she felt strangely light. Reconnecting with Evelyn had left her with a subtle sense of relief, a feeling she hadn’t dared to expect.

Her phone vibrated with a message from her mother, a reminder of the upcoming family dinner. The thought drew a faint grimace to her face. Those evenings had long lost their warmth, especially now that the man who had managed to rekindle her mother’s love life was there. Williams didn’t hate him, but accepting a man in her father’s place was a difficult hurdle.

That thought quickly triggered the memory of Emilio, and a cold calculation set in: the scandal was brewing. Since his suspension, they hadn’t spoken or crossed paths. The mere thought of seeing him again stirred a quiet unease in her chest. She finished her tea and pushed the idea away. There was a lot of work to do.

After a long shower, she dressed in her customary severe elegance, and Romaric drove her to the hospital. The moment she stepped into her office, the first person she summoned was Mr. Polo. He arrived almost immediately, sensing the sharp air of displeasure around her.

“Madam,” he greeted.

“Mr. Polo,” she began, voice calm but cold, “why didn’t you tell me that the lady from the dispute contacted us again?”

He blinked. “Actually, yes, Ms. Evelyn contacted us again regarding the amicable arrangement. I didn’t want to disturb you, knowing the pressure you were under.”

Williams leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly. “So, you made me go see her for nothing?”

“My apologies, Madam. I thought it was thanks to your decisive intervention that she returned for the dispute.”

Williams paused, her ego instantly absorbing the flattery. “Oh, really? Yes, yes. You know, I rarely apply such pressure, and people resist it,” she replied. Her lips curved with faint arrogance. “Alright then. What’s next?”

“We are awaiting your availability to conclude.”

“Then call her to come tomorrow. We won’t drag it out. I need this to end as quickly as possible.”

“But what about the surgery schedule?”

“It won’t take long,” she said curtly. “And frankly, I need this matter to end.”

“Understood.”

She let the silence stretch before adding, “Actually, Mr. Polo, could you tell me precisely how the IVF incident happened?”

“I’d rather come back with all the details,” he replied cautiously.

Williams nodded, her mind already spinning. “And Emilio? Was he informed about the suspension?”

“Yes.”

Williams looked down at her phone, her fingers tracing the glass. Deep down, she would have liked him to participate in the high-profile surgery to benefit from the media spotlight. But a part of her urgently wanted to maintain distance, preparing for a potential scandal.

Mr. Polo shifted. “One last thing—the parents involved have settled.”

“What was the compensation?”

“None. They provided a written statement confirming their desire to move on. Now, only the young lady remains.”

Williams exhaled softly. “Perfect. We can finally move on. The sun will shine again on Niran Kai.”

Mr. Polo regarded her with an anxious, knowing silence. He felt the profound dramatic irony: the sun Williams anticipated would not be the light of freedom, but rather scorching heat.

Williams stood up for her scheduled meeting, signaling that their discussion was complete. She stopped by Rosa’s desk.

“Where’s Malaya?”

“She’s not well, Madam.”

“Is she at the hospital?”

“No.”

Williams frowned. “The hospital covers staff care. Why isn’t she being treated here?”

“Ah, yes, she was here. They asked her to rest.” Rosa lied seamlessly.

Williams sighed, dropping a stack of files onto Rosa’s desk. “Archive these.”

“Yes, Madam.”

As Williams left, Mr. Polo walked directly from Williams’ office to Emilio’s. The former Head of Gynecology sat filling out administrative forms, pen gliding mechanically across the pages.

Without a word, Polo sat opposite him and placed two blank white sheets on the desk.

“Tomorrow, everything will be settled with the lady,” Polo stated. “But as for you, I want the names of everyone involved.”

A few minutes later, Romaric walked in without knocking. Emilio looked up, surprised.

“Don’t worry,” Polo assured Emilio. “He knows what this is about. I briefed him.” Romaric remained silent, standing guard.

“I want the names of everyone involved,” Polo pressed, “including the people you dealt with, even those you suspect are part of it.”

“What are you going to do, Mr. Polo?”

“The only way to thwart Mr. Marz is to find all his weaknesses. If he blackmailed you, I’m sure he has many enemies and a history of making mistakes. Romaric will investigate anonymously.”

Polo slid the forms closer. “As for your conquests and victims, we will have to offer them an amicable agreement and make them sign an ironclad confidentiality clause. If tomorrow one person escapes us, none of them can be called to the bar or testify.”

Polo had found the tactical solution: neutralize the witnesses.

“And as for you,” Polo continued, his gaze becoming lethal, “I initially considered myself your lawyer. But after this story, submit your letter of resignation. You don’t deserve the trust Williams put in you. And count yourself lucky that for the sake of this hospital, I am not fighting to have your right to practice revoked. Riffraff like you don’t deserve freedom.”

Emilio swallowed his words bitterly, picked up his pen, and began to write.

Meanwhile, Evelyn was at home, folding clothes into a small suitcase, her face etched with sadness. As she had told Jack, her decision was firm: after the amicable arrangement, she was leaving the city. She thought back to the strange, vulnerable moment Williams had offered at the orphanage—a small comfort she hadn’t felt in a long time. Even if the woman standing there didn’t remember who she truly was. The memory warmed her, then hurt her.

Lost in her thoughts, the doorbell rang. She went downstairs and opened it. It was Kannika, her face bearing a faint bruise and a slight bandage near her eye.

“Kannika!” Evelyn exclaimed, rushing forward to touch her friend’s face. “Are you alright?”

“Don’t worry, I just had a small altercation with a gentleman in a bar,” Kannika lied, offering a tight, practiced smile.

Evelyn frowned. “Did you call the police?”

Kannika’s eyes shifted away. “No, don’t worry, it’s unnecessary.”

Evelyn sat down, the familiar sadness returning. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you weren’t well.”

“Don’t worry,” Kannika replied, sitting beside her. “I should have told you too: you are not God,” she joked gently, quoting Evelyn’s own recent words. “So, tell me, how did Jack react?”

Evelyn’s lips curved into a sad smile. “Maybe not. But I can make tea.”

“Ah, yes, thank you.” The two women, both holding painful secrets, settled into the deceptive comfort of their shared friendship.

Evelyn nodded and disappeared into the kitchen, the sound of the kettle rising softly between them—a brief moment of peace before everything that was yet to come.

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