"We discovered that she lost a significant amount of blood, but she's stable now. She's currently under close observation."
Mia's racing heart slowed, though it didn't completely settle. She rubbed her palms together unconsciously, as if trying to ground herself. Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"She'll be okay… right?" Her voice trembled, her eyes glistening as tears threatened to fall.
The surgeon gave a small, reassuring nod.
"She'll be fine."
The words should have been enough.
But the fear lingered anyway.
"When can I see her?" Mia asked, urgency thick in her voice.
"She's still in recovery," the doctor replied. "We need to monitor her as she wakes from the anesthesia. Once she's stable and responsive, we'll allow you to see her."
Mia nodded, though impatience flickered across her face.
"Please… I need to know as soon as possible."
"Of course."
The doctor gave her one last reassuring look before walking away.
Mia watched him disappear down the hallway.
Only then did her shoulders slump. She clasped her hands tightly together, her fingers trembling.
Stable… fine…
The words echoed in her mind, but they didn't silence the fear clawing at her chest.
Hospitals had a way of making promises feel fragile.
She sank into one of the cold metal chairs, her eyes fixed on the closed doors ahead.
Waiting.
That was all she had left.
———
Miles away, the conference room hummed quietly with tension.
Rows of executives sat stiffly, eyes lowered, tablets and documents spread neatly before them. No one spoke unless addressed.
At the head of the table, Ethan flipped through the report with slow, exact precision, scanning every figure, every note. His expression remained unchanged.
"That's the final figure?" he asked calmly.
The man seated halfway down the table swallowed.
"Yes, sir. The market fluctuation…" His voice wavered.
Ethan closed the file.
The sound echoed louder than it should have.
"Market fluctuation doesn't explain negligence."
Silence.
The man shifted in his seat. "It won't happen again…"
"It won't," Ethan cut in.
"You're fired."
The words landed like a blade. No argument. No second chance. Just final.
The rest of the room lowered their gazes, unease settling heavily over them.
The man froze. "Sir, I…"
"Security will escort you out."
Ethan didn't look at him again.
Instead, he pushed the file forward.
"Next report."
And just like that, the meeting continued.
As if a man's career hadn't just ended in less than a minute.
———
The hallway outside felt colder.
The man stumbled out, hands trembling as he pulled out his phone and dialed quickly.
"You said it was clean," he whispered harshly. "You said nothing would trace back."
Silence answered him, his breathing grew uneven.
"I lost everything," he continued, his voice cracking. "Do you understand that? He fired me like I was nothing."
His eyes narrowed. Then his expression shifted. Fear crept in.
"…What do you mean it's already handled?"
The line went dead.
He stared at his phone.
Something wasn't right.
———
Back in Ethan's office, the air conditioner hummed softly.
Ethan loosened his tie slightly while his suit hung neatly on a hanger behind him.
Sebastian glanced over, noting the faint sheen of sweat on Ethan's forehead. He moved to the coffee machine, prepared an espresso, and handed it to him.
"You need to make an appointment with a doctor," he said.
"I'm fine. The numerous appointments I've had with different physicians haven't led to anything," Ethan replied, taking a sip.
Sebastian sighed, scrolling through the tablet in his hand.
"Delacroix Company has submitted a proposal. They want to partner with us."
"That will be attended to later," Ethan said flatly.
"Look into the financial department. Collate their past reports. I need to review them."
"Copy that."
"Is there anything important on my schedule today?" Ethan asked.
"I've checked. All the important ones have been handled," Sebastian replied.
He hesitated, then smirked slightly.
"The rumors are still going around. When do you plan to introduce her publicly? Your woman, I mean."
Ethan shot him a cold glance.
Before Sebastian could say anything else, Ethan's phone vibrated.
"That must be important," Sebastian said, a knowing smile on his lips.
Miles away, Mia paced nervously.
The doctor had assured her Brielle would recover fully in a few weeks, but she needed to speak with Ethan immediately. Still, a part of her hesitated.
Will he pick up…? Is he busy? Should I call his assistant instead?
Her thumb hovered over the screen.
Then the call connected.
Mia's heart thudded as his deep voice came through.
"Who is this?"
She inhaled slowly.
"It's Mia. Good evening."
"Go straight to the point," he said, voice flat.
"Can we meet? I have something important to discuss with you."
A brief silence stretched.
"Uhmm…"
The call ended.
Mia stared at her phone.
"What the hell?" she snapped "At least hear me out…"
—------
Back in the office, Sebastian leaned forward, curiosity written all over his face.
"You hung up, so she called?" he asked.
Ethan set his phone down.
"It's nothing important. Just a waste of time."
"What did she say?"
"She wants to meet."
"Could be important," Sebastian shrugged.
"I decide what's important."
Sebastian nodded, though a faint smile lingered.
Ethan picked up his phone again and typed out a message.
———
Night settled quietly over the city.
In a dimly lit apartment on a quiet street, gloom clung to the walls.
Davis had just delivered the news to his wife.
Their two children slept peacefully on Maria's lap, unaware of the storm looming over their family.
"I'm sorry, Maria… I lost my job. I don't know how we're going to manage. And I still have a huge debt to pay."
Maria forced a soft smile, though worry flickered in her eyes.
"Davis, don't worry. We'll figure something out. I'll support us with what little I have."
Suddenly, the lights flickered.
Davis frowned, adjusting the tie hanging loosely around his neck.
"Is there a power issue?"
"Maybe," Maria said gently. "Let me put the kids in their room."
"Alright. I'll check."
Davis slipped his phone into his back pocket and walked toward the door.
The moment he reached it.
BAM!
A brutal kick slammed into his chest. The lights went out instantly.
A figure dressed in black stepped into the darkness.
Panic surged through Davis as he hit the floor hard, gasping for breath.
With trembling fingers, he discreetly pulled out his phone and sent a message:
Don't come out.
Before he could react.
The figure kicked the phone away.
Another heavy blow sent Davis crashing across the room.
The intruder turned and began walking toward the bedroom.
Davis tried to move, tried to speak, but his body refused.
"No…" he rasped weakly.
The bedroom door burst open.
Maria's scream shattered the silence.
Tears streamed down Davis's face as regret flooded him. Every mistake, every decision crashing down at once.
Moments later, the figure returned.
Davis was dragged up like dead weight, his face bruised and bloodied.
The masked figure leaned closer.
"Leave the city," he said coldly. "And don't come back."
Before Davis could respond, a knife plunged into his thigh.
His scream tore through the darkness.
The figure released him.
And just like that, he was gone.
Silence returned.
Then, a phone call came through.
"…Done," the figure muttered.
"He won't be a problem again."
The line went dead.