Chapter 15 - The New Director|
Two weeks later.
The morning sun illuminated the glass entrance of Saint Mercy's Hospital in downtown Chicago.
The hospital staff stood in two neat lines inside the main lobby as Naomi Hail walked through the sliding doors.
She wasn't wearing stained blue scrubs or practical running shoes. She wore a tailored navy wool dress, an elegant coat, her dark hair pinned back, her posture regal, calm, and absolute.
Beside her walked Raymond Lockwood, wearing a dark suit, his hand resting securely against the small of her back. Walking behind them were Marcus and two security guards dressed in crisp corporate attire.
The hospital administrator—a man who had ignored Naomi's requests for basic medical supplies for three years—bowed his head nervously as they approached.
"Director Hail," the administrator stammered, holding out a silver binder. "The new trauma wing renovation plans are ready for your approval."
Naomi accepted the binder smoothly, opening it with a sharp, professional snap.
"Line three on the budget," Naomi said, her voice clear, commanding, and echoing off the marble lobby walls. "We are doubling the emergency plasma supply, and every resident on the night shift gets a thirty percent pay raise effective immediately."
The nurses and residents watching from the hallways let out a sudden, joyful burst of applause.
Naomi turned her head, looking up at Raymond.
He was watching her with a quiet, fierce pride burning in his storm-gray eyes—a man who had given her the keys to her own empire.
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"Is everything to your satisfaction, Director?" Raymond whispered into her ear.
"It's a good start, Don Lockwood," Naomi smiled, winking at him.
