The door opened again and this time a young nurse walked in, and along with her was a couple of security personnels.
“Sir? Ma'am? We've been ordered to remove you from the hospital premises. You have not deposited the initial admission fees or even the treatment fees and the hospital cannot condone that.”
Amanda groaned in a tired, torn breath and her head dropped into her hands.
Lawton got up, approaching the nurse. “I don't understand, I'm sure it's been taken care of. Just check again.”
The nurse arched an eyebrow. “Did you already make the payment yourself?”
“No, not me. But the hospital fees have definitely been paid.”
She scoffed. “Please, you can leave by yourself to avoid any complications. The hospital will not continue to give treatment to the patient as you have refused to be cordial in the arrangement.”
Amanda got up. “I thought you said you would have the fees, Lawton?”
Lawton nodded, digging out his phone from his pocket. He would call Smithson and ask if he had forgotten about making the payment to the hospital.
He was dialing the number when the arrogant doctor from the previous night arrived.
“What is going on here?” he asked the nurse and the personnels.
“Doctor, they are the patient’s family that you told me to remove today since they refused to make payment.”
The doctor scowled and immediately faced the nurse. “Me? I never said any such thing? Why would you be so rude as to ask a patient to leave the hospital before they had even finished treatment?”
The nurse looked bewildered and left shocked. “But…bu…Sir…”
“Leave them at once, so you do not disturb the patient.” The doctor ordered much to Lawton and Amanda's shock.
The nurse, still confused, left the room and shut the door behind her.
The doctor turned to Lawton, a greasy smile on his face. “Sir, forgive my staff, sometimes they do get confused on orders given to them. I never asked that they remove you from the hospital premises, why, that is just preposterous.”
Lawton watched the man. The same man that had treated him like some lowly dirt the day before.
“Would you like to upgrade your mother's room to one of the VVIP rooms on the top floor, Sir?”
Lawton now shook his head. It was obvious this was money talking. Smithson had really been to work. He had said something to this man that was now making him see dollar signs whenever
he looked at Lawton. Lawton just hoped he hadn't revealed his true identity.
“Doctor, your nurse just clearly said we were to be thrown out for owing the hospital, and now here you are, asking if we want an upgrade on our room? What exactly is going on?” Lawton asked, even though he could guess. He wanted to know the extent to which Smithson had gone.
The doctor's smarmy grin almost fell. “Erm, Sir? Someone had paid for the hospital bills it
seems. They also left a note saying they would foot the bill if you wanted to move your mother up to the executive floor.”
“Really, now?” Lawton said, a half smirk on his face.
“So, yes, Sir, I thought to personally inform you. You see, our VVIP rooms are most comfortable
for our patients, they come with enough room for all of the family members to sleep the night with the patient. It is most comfortable, and offers a view of the entire hospital grounds—”
Lawton held up a hand. “Enough, doctor. You're rambling. A night ago you couldn't wait to be rid of us.”
Amanda came closer to Lawton and placed a hand on his elbow. “But who paid the doctor?”
Lawton stiffened slightly. He didn't want her to know anything about it.
The doctor's brows furrowed. “They pleaded to remain anonymous, ma'am, they never revealed their identity to me.”
Lawton relaxed. All the greedy doctor knew was that he had received money and now he wanted more.
“We are not going to the VIP room, doctor, we are just fine here.”
Amanda nudged him. “But Lawton, your mother deserves the best you know?”
Lawton still shook his head. “No, and I mean no.” He couldn't go and get used to these things so quickly.
The doctor nodded. “If you say so, Sir. But do let me know if you change your mind. Remember, the bills are already footed.” Then the doctor left and Amanda wearily went to go and see Lawton's mother.
Lawton took out his phone and entered the adjoining restroom in the ward. He dialed Smithsons number.
Smithson answered on the first ring. “Hello Young Master.” He said on the first ring.
Lawton lowered his voice. “There's something I need you to do, Smithson.”
“Anything at all, Young Master.”
“I need you to get Roxanne to agree to work with the Williams company to promote a new product of theirs. Tell her she must do it for me to come back.”
There was a slight pause before Smithson went to answer. “Young Master, is something wrong?”
“No, nothing will happen if she does this. She must only accept the contract from Amanda Williams. Do you understand, Smithson?”
“Yes, noted, young master.”
“I will speak to you again soon, Smithson.” Lawton then disconnected the call.
He went back to the room like nothing happened and sat beside his wife.
Amanda looked at him. “I'm so relieved that someone paid the hospital bills for us. Imagine if we had to pay this and also the house rent.”
Lawton agreed with her. “Yes, I'm so thankful to whoever it was that paid it.”
Amanda then exhaled in a defeated way. “At least we didn't get kicked out of the hospital on the same day I lost my job,”
Lawton turned to her, his palms resting on his knees. “You haven't lost your job, Amanda.”
Amanda gestured to the document again. “It would be impossible to achieve what my mother wants and she only gave me 24 hours. She made damn sure I could never go back to the company.”
Lawton knew how much she loved her job and that she had a backbone. “You should at least try first. You can't just give up so easily.”
Amanda seemed to consider it. “I'll try reaching out to Roxanne's people then. Maybe she won't even agree to a meeting and that will be the end of this.”
She picked up the documents and her bag and after a brief discussion where they decided that
Lawton will spend the night at the hospital so that she could go home and prepare for the meeting, she left.
“Lawton! You and better come to dinner tonight, or I will disown Amanda finally and forever. If she thinks firing her from the family company is the worst I can do, she doesn't know me yet.”“Inform my daughter, since she isn't responding to my calls, that I want the two of you at dinner tonight, I must announce the new changes that have occured in the family company to all of the family. And she is still part of it. For now, at least.”The call went off. It had been Lawton's mother in law and she had just left an imperial command. She had organized a dinner and Lawton guessed it was to cut them off completely in front of the entire family.Changes in the family company indeed.It was already the next day and Amanda was nervous, she had left the hospital after a brief visit to prepare for her pitch to Roxanne because Roxanne's manager had agreed to the meeting.Lawton wished he could tell her not to worry so much, that it was already set, but he wanted her to just go on her own. After
Hearing this Madame Williams stood surprised at what she had just heard with a smile on her face. She couldn't believe Amanda would be able to secure a deal and not just any random deal, A deal with Roxanne Duke. She stretches her hands towards Amanda and gives her a very big hug. “I am so proud of you, indeed you are incredible. I don't believe this” Madame Williams acknowledged her effort. Lawton was so excited seeing Amanda and her Mother actually smiling at each other after a very long time. He noticed how happy Amanda was as well, and he wondered “If I had not done something about this deal, my wife would have been disgraced and insulted.” he thought with food still in his mouth.Madame Williams held Amanda's hand, informing Amanda and everyone, “ Amanda you have made me so happy today, In fact, I want you to manage this project personally.” Amanda burst into laughter, she couldn't contain her Joy, she turned and signaled Lawton.Lawton walked up to her, “Congratulations my Lo
Stunned by what they had just heard, Amanda and Lawton looked at Madame Williams. Her mother was giving her brother the project after Amanda had worked so hard to close this agreement. The visitors started talking about this sudden shift with a murmur. Hurt and bewildered, Amanda turned to face Lawton. "Just what is happening? What would make her do this?" Raymond moved in before Lawton could answer. "Mother, I spoke with Charles, and I know this change seems abrupt. The Williams family name has always stood for honesty and integrity. We might lose our image if word gets out that Amanda got this meeting via... less than honest means." Talking, he glanced slyly at Lawton. Lawton's eyebrows furrowed as he understood that Raymond was suggesting he was involved. He wasn't entirely off. Still, for the time being, Lawton bit his tongue. To her mother, Amanda turned. "But this is what I worked so hard for. You assured me I could oversee the project." Madame Williams flinched. "I apologize,
Lawton felt sick to his stomach as he woke up. Though he knew that this day would come eventually, he had been dreading its coming. Amanda was in their small kitchen preparing an early breakfast. The refreshing smell of toast mixed with the aroma of fresh coffee. He stepped closer to her, forcing a smile. Trying to sound casual, he said, "Tessa's medical expenses have gotten quite steep, I'm hoping to negotiate a better payment plan this morning before the collectors come calling again." It pained him to use their fragile financial situation as an excuse, but it was a believable enough story to get Amanda to worry less.Amanda turned to him with a concerned look. "Oh Lawton, I wish we didn't have to struggle like this constantly." She placed the spatula on the counter and walked towards him, embracing him tightly. "I'll accompany you. Perhaps they will be more reasonable if we approach them as a couple."Lawton shook his head. "No need, I can handle this. You just focus on getting Rox
After Lawton's discussion with Smithson, he exited the room abruptly. As Lawton walked down the stairs of the grand luxurious house, he couldn't help but replay the conversation he just had with Smithson,“I need to get information on Raymond as soon as possible," he muttered.He reached the bottom stairs of the spacious mansion with high ceilings, exquisite artwork, and sculptures, he was evidently tired and was about to open the door to his room when he heard a voice,"Do you need anything, sir?" The voice inquired, Instantly he turned back to have a look at who it was.“No" he responded after discovering it was one of the workers in the mansion, then proceeded to shut the door."What a day!" he muttered and involuntarily opened his mouth to inhale air due to tiredness.Laying down on the bed, he couldn’t help thinking of what a long day he had just had and a stray thought of Amanda and his father crossed his mind thereafter. He shut his eyes, bothered about the long day the next da
Lawton was taken again by unexpected news of his father's accident, it was the last piece of news he had anticipated at the moment. At first, he assumed his ears were deceiving him and later he assumed it was a silly prank, "is this some kind of joke?" He inquired from Smithson, "I wish it was" Smithson grumbled taking his eyes off Lawton. His eyes widened in shock as he looked at Smisthon, trying to process the bad news he had just heard. He opened his mouth to speak but words failed him, his heart had begin to race while his cupped hand was on his lips. "I understand that the news of your father's accident must be a lot to take in, but you have responsibilities to worry about right now," Smithson muttered, as he broke the ongoing silence. Lawton looked lost unsure of what Smithson really meant. Smithson cleared his throat as an obstrution had suddenly grew in it. "Responsibilities?" He mumbled, as he looked at Smisthon who immediately continued to talk. "The company needs yo
The next day, Lawton stood outside the towering corporate headquarters of the company. The massive glass structure loomed over him, reflecting the bustling streets below, its sharp edges cutting into the skyline. For a moment, he lingered at the entrance, his mind running through the details that Smithson, the family butler, had shared with him the night before. His father was in a coma, and the company’s future now rested on his shoulders—a responsibility he hadn't prepared for. Taking a deep breath, he straightened his posture and stepped inside the building, his footsteps echoing across the marble floors of the grand lobby. Everything around him screamed of corporate success—the polished floors, the sleek furniture, the hurried pace of well-dressed employees moving about their daily tasks. Yet, Lawton felt an odd sense of distance. He had never been part of this world, but now, whether he liked it or not, it was his. His eyes landed on the reception desk, a long, curved station
As soon as they left the lobby downstairs, Smithson chatted idly with Lawton, while leading him to the boardroom. Their footsteps echoed in the grand hallways as they made their way to the conference room where the executives were waiting. Lawton knew what to expect—resistance, opposition, doubt. But he had already prepared for it. As soon as he stepped into the room, the tension was palpable. The executives, seated in a semicircle around the long, polished table, immediately turned their eyes to him. The atmosphere was cold, judgmental. These were men who had been loyal to his father for years, and they had little faith in Lawton's ability to lead. "So, you're the one taking over," one of them sneered, a man named Harris, the CFO. His grey hair matched the look of disdain on his face. "This isn’t a game, young man. Running a company like this isn’t something you inherit because your father’s in a coma." Lawton remained calm, taking his seat at the head of the table. He’d been expe