Chapter 9

James stood his ground, his gaze unwavering as Dr. Robert Blake smirked, eyes gleaming with arrogant malice. “You think you can record me and get away with it, Carter?” Robert sneered, signaling to the guards. “Take his phone. I want it destroyed.”

The three guards advanced, each grabbing for his arms. James twisted, dodging their reach as he held his phone high. “This recording will be heard,” he said, his voice firm. “And everyone will know what you’ve done to Emily.”

Robert laughed, a cruel sound. “You’re playing with fire, James. I could have you and your family blacklisted from every medical institution in the state.”

A murmur went through the crowd of patients and visitors gathering in the corridor, their expressions shifting from confusion to outrage as they took in the scene.

“This is terrible! They shouldn’t treat her like this!” someone whispered.

But Robert’s gaze turned icy, and with a swift glare, he silenced the bystanders. “If any of you interfere, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Todd, lounging smugly beside his uncle, grinned and stepped forward, his eyes locked on Emily’s frail form. “Seems like you don’t have much power here after all, ‘Mr. Carter,’” he taunted, placing his hand threateningly on Emily’s breathing tube.

James felt his pulse spike, barely able to contain the fury that surged within him. “Don’t you dare touch her.”

Todd’s grin widened, a look of twisted pleasure on his face. “What are you going to do about it?” He leaned closer, his fingers tapping the tube, his voice a low, malicious whisper. “You don’t want to lose your dear sister, do you?”

A voice of authority cut through the tension, startling everyone present. “Todd. Take your hand off her. Now.”

James turned, his eyes widening as Richard Stone—a man whose reputation preceded him—entered the corridor, flanked by a group of suited men. Stone was a towering figure in New York, his influence stretching from boardrooms to underground circles. But what surprised everyone was the way he looked at James, his expression filled with something between fear and reverence.

Stone walked forward, stopping just a few feet from James, then he did something that left everyone breathless—he bowed.

“My apologies, Mr. Carter,” Stone said, his voice low and humble. “We were delayed, and I hope you’ll forgive me for arriving late.”

James met his gaze, his eyes cold and unforgiving. “Not that late. Emily and I are not dead yet.”

Stone’s face paled, and he fell to his knees, bowing his head even lower. “I… I didn’t mean for this to happen. I will make it right, Mr. Carter.”

The crowd watched in stunned silence, their earlier whispers now replaced with wide-eyed shock. Robert, still clutching his bleeding lip from James’s earlier punch, stared in horror, realizing just how deep James’s connections ran.

James’s silence stretched, his gaze piercing as he held Richard’s stare. Slowly, he nodded. “I trust you understand the importance of this, Richard. My sister’s safety is not negotiable.”

Richard rose, his face drawn and serious. “Consider it handled, Mr. Carter.” Without another word, he turned to Todd, his expression darkening. “Todd, you’ve crossed a line.”

Todd stammered, the smug confidence draining from his face as he looked around, desperate for an ally. “Uncle Robert… help me. You—you’re not going to let him do this, right?”

But Robert was silent, frozen in place. Richard’s men closed in, and before Todd could react, Richard took a step forward and delivered a swift, brutal strike to Todd’s leg with a heavy walking stick. The crack of impact echoed down the corridor, and Todd collapsed, clutching his leg and wailing in pain.

“This is for touching a defenseless girl,” Richard said coldly, his voice void of pity. “And for disrespecting Mr. Carter.”

The crowd watched, a mix of awe and fear on their faces as they absorbed the scene. Laura, Todd’s mother, rushed forward, grabbing Richard’s arm in desperation. “Stop this! You can’t do this to my son!”

Richard yanked his arm free, his eyes narrowing. “Your son crossed a line that should never be crossed. And if you or your family lay another finger on Emily Carter, there will be consequences far worse than this.”

Laura shrank back, her face contorted with rage and fear as she retreated to her husband’s side, who stood silent, eyes wide in terror.

Satisfied, Richard turned to the guards. “Escort Dr. Robert Blake and his family out of this hospital. They’re no longer welcome here.” He then glanced at the crowd of onlookers, his gaze sweeping over each face. “And if anyone else has a problem with Mr. Carter, I suggest you consider your words carefully.”

The guards scrambled to comply, their earlier bravado shattered. They grabbed Robert, Laura, and Todd, hauling them toward the exit as the trio protested, their voices fading down the corridor.

Richard turned back to James, his voice softened. “Your sister will be safe, Mr. Carter. I’ll ensure she has the best care.”

James nodded, his gratitude mingling with a sense of satisfaction as he looked down at Emily. “Thank you, Richard. I won’t forget this.”

Stone gave a respectful bow. “It’s my honor, Mr. Carter.”

As the tension in the corridor faded, the crowd dispersed, leaving only James, Richard, and Emily. James moved to Emily’s side, gently adjusting her blanket, his heart aching for the ordeal she’d endured.

He took her hand, his voice barely a whisper. “I’m here, Emily. And I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.”

Emily smiled weakly, her eyes glistening with gratitude. “Thank you, James.”

James sat beside her, watching over her with renewed resolve. He’d proven his power, his commitment, and his loyalty to his sister. And from that day on, he would ensure that those who had wronged him or his loved ones would face the consequences.