Chapter 3 - The Doctor’s Suite
The private medical wing of Victor Hale’s sprawling Greenwich estate was more advanced than most municipal emergency rooms, equipped with sterile surgical lighting, state-of-the-art diagnostic monitors, and a dedicated staff bound by absolute loyalty and hefty retainers. When Victor carried Sadie through the double doors, Dr. Lawrence Vance—a brilliant, disgraced trauma surgeon who owed his medical license and his freedom to the Hale family—was already waiting with a rolling cart of medical supplies. “Lay her flat, gently,” Dr. Vance instructed, his professional demeanor cutting through the tension as he snapped on latex gloves. Victor carefully lowered Sadie onto the examination table, his large hands lingering for a fraction of a second before stepping back to give the doctor room. Sadie’s eyes fluttered open in sheer panic as the harsh overhead light hit her face. “Where... where am I? Am I under arrest?” she gasped, trying to sit up, only for a sharp intake of breath to betray the severe rib fracture on her left side. “Lie still, Miss Bennett,” Dr. Vance soothed calmly, shining a small penlight into her eyes to check for concussion symptoms. “You’re safe here. I’m going to examine your ribs and clean those lacerations.” Victor stood rigidly in the corner of the room, his fists clenched inside his pockets, watching every movement the doctor made. The guilt gnawing at his chest felt heavier with every quiet gasp of pain Sadie emitted. Dr. Vance carefully cut away the torn fabric of her sweater to assess the heavy bruising blossoming across her chest and torso. “Two fractured ribs, severe soft tissue contusions, a split lip requiring three stitches, and generalized exhaustion,” Dr. Vance summarized quietly, looking over his shoulder at Victor. “She’ll need complete bed rest for at least three weeks, strict pain management, and careful monitoring for internal complications.” “Do whatever is necessary,” Victor commanded, his voice dropping into an unyielding register. “Spare no expense. If she needs specialized pulmonary care or physical therapy, bring them in from Manhattan.” Sadie turned her head weakly toward Victor, her hazel eyes filled with a mixture of fear and bitter confusion. “Why are you doing this?” she whispered. “You had me beaten, and now you’re playing the doctor?” Victor walked slowly to the edge of the examination table, looking down at her with an expression that revealed a raw, unmasked vulnerability. “I ordered you brought to me, Sadie. I never ordered you harmed. And for the men who disobeyed my rules... they are already paying the price.”
