Free Web NovelChapter 39: The Prince Of Arrogance!
"I think you’re the one being reckless here."
The sharp voice echoed from the stairwell before anyone could react.
"How dare you point at Mr. Hale and threaten him inside his own hospital?"
The corridor instantly fell silent.
Every doctor, nurse, and administrator nearby froze where they stood. They all recognized that voice.
Director William Harrington.
The respected director stepped into view, his expression darker than anyone had ever seen it. His gaze landed on Sebastian, and the temperature in the hallway seemed to drop several degrees.
Then he turned toward Luca.
"Mr. Hale, are you alright? Did this man cause you any trouble?"
The respectful tone hit harder than a slap.
A ripple spread through the crowd.
Until this moment, some people had still held onto the hope that Luca was bluffing. That hope vanished the second Director Harrington addressed him with such obvious respect.
The young man standing in front of them really was the owner of San Fierro Kanda Hospital.
Sebastian’s face lost color.
A few seconds earlier, he had still been riding on anger.
Now his thoughts were racing.
Director Harrington knew him.
Knew his father.
There was no possibility the director would publicly support some random stranger.
Which meant...
Luca hadn’t lied.
The hospital really belonged to him.
The realization settled into Sebastian’s mind piece by piece, each one heavier than the last.
Then he remembered something.
The security call.
His stomach dropped.
Almost on cue, several security guards hurried down the corridor.
"Mr. Caldwell, what’s the problem?" the lead guard asked.
Sebastian opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
The guard followed his gaze and immediately spotted Director Harrington standing beside Luca.
Recognition flashed across his face.
A few moments later, his radio crackled.
The voice coming through was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
"Security, remove Sebastian Caldwell from the premises immediately. Suspend all facility access pending investigation."
The hallway became deathly quiet.
Sebastian stood frozen.
The very people he had summoned were now looking at him instead.
For the first time, genuine fear appeared in his eyes.
"Mr. Hale..."
His voice came out hoarse.
"I made a mistake."
Luca looked at him without emotion.
Sebastian swallowed hard.
"I didn’t know who you were."
"You threatened someone in a hospital corridor, abused your position, and thought you were untouchable," Luca said calmly.
His voice wasn’t loud.
It didn’t need to be.
"Who I am isn’t the problem."
Sebastian’s face went pale.
"Mr. Hale, please..."
"I already told you."
Luca’s eyes were ice cold.
"You don’t belong here."
He turned away.
That simple gesture hurt far more than any shouting could have.
"Director Harrington."
"Yes, Mr. Hale."
"Launch a full investigation into Sebastian Caldwell and Vice President Caldwell. If there’s evidence of corruption, bribery, procurement fraud, or abuse of authority, hand everything over to the proper authorities."
"Understood."
The security guards stepped forward.
This time, Sebastian didn’t resist.
The fight had completely left him.
As he was escorted away, dozens of employees watched in silence.
Nobody pitied him.
For years, he had ruled the procurement department through intimidation and connections. The only surprising thing was that his downfall had finally arrived. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
Luca watched him disappear around the corner before quietly exhaling.
No matter the industry, there always seemed to be people who mistook borrowed authority for their own.
"Miss Brooks."
Luca shifted his attention toward the stunned woman standing nearby.
"Could you wait here for a few minutes? I need to discuss something with Director Harrington first. After that, I’d like to speak with you."
Miss Brooks blinked.
"Of course, Mr. Hale."
As she watched Luca walk away with Director Harrington, her thoughts became increasingly chaotic.
Why would someone like him want to talk to her personally?
The more she thought about it, the warmer her face became.
Surely she was overthinking things...
Right?
---
A few minutes later, Luca and Director Harrington arrived at a quiet garden behind the administrative building.
The noise of the hospital faded into the distance.
Leaves rustled gently overhead.
For a while, neither man spoke.
Eventually, Luca broke the silence.
"You set that up."
It wasn’t a question.
Director Harrington gave a tired smile.
"So you noticed."
"You weren’t exactly subtle."
The old director sighed.
"Mr. Hale, I owe you an apology."
Luca waited.
"The Caldwell family has accumulated far too much influence inside the procurement system. Complaints disappear. Investigations stall. Every attempt to deal with them runs into obstacles."
His expression grew helpless.
"I was running out of options."
Luca remained silent.
Director Harrington continued.
"When I learned an Octaveo representative would be meeting Sebastian today, and that you would be visiting the hospital at the same time, I saw an opportunity."
"You used me as the hammer."
A bitter smile appeared on Harrington’s face.
"Essentially."
Luca wasn’t particularly angry.
The truth was, he had already planned to deal with Sebastian the moment he heard that conversation.
Still, nobody enjoyed being maneuvered without their knowledge.
After a moment, he nodded.
"I understand why you did it."
Relief visibly appeared on Director Harrington’s face.
"Thank you, Mr. Hale."
"Just make sure the investigation is thorough."
"It will be."
---
When Luca returned to the lobby, Miss Brooks was still waiting exactly where he’d left her.
Now that things had settled down, he finally had the chance to look at her properly.
She wasn’t the breathtaking, flawless type like Naomi Monroe or Arabella Windsor.
But she was undeniably attractive.
Very attractive.
Her features were elegant and mature, carrying the confidence of an accomplished professional woman.
More importantly, her figure was enough to make most men lose their train of thought.
The fitted business attire she wore did absolutely nothing to hide her naturally curvy proportions.
No wonder Sebastian had been so obsessed.
Unfortunately, Luca realized he had been staring for slightly too long.
"Mr. Hale..."
Miss Brooks folded her arms across her chest and raised an eyebrow.
"Would you mind not looking at me like that?"
Luca blinked.
Then coughed awkwardly.
"Sorry."
Even he had to admit that was a little embarrassing.
He already had enough women complicating his life.
Why was he standing in a hospital lobby openly admiring a beautiful married woman?
Meanwhile, a faint blush had appeared on Miss Brooks’s face.
The situation would have felt completely different if the man staring at her had been some overweight middle-aged executive.
But Luca Hale was young, wealthy, confident, and ridiculously handsome.
That made things much more complicated. frёeωebɳovel.com
Luca quickly changed the subject.
"It’s almost lunchtime. How about I treat you to a meal and we discuss Octaveo Pharmaceutical’s business with the hospital?"
A meal.
Just the two of them.
Miss Brooks immediately became suspicious.
Discuss business?
Over lunch?
Was that really all he wanted?
Her imagination instantly started running wild again.
Still, Octaveo desperately needed this contract.
Refusing wasn’t an option.
"Alright, Mr. Hale."
"Great."
Luca smiled and started walking toward the parking lot.
"I also need to stop by a real estate management company afterward. Today’s schedule is packed."
Miss Brooks nearly missed a step.
A real estate company?
After lunch?
Her heart skipped a beat.
’He’s already thinking about arranging a place for me?’
The thought nearly made her trip over her own heels.
Looking at Luca’s tall figure walking ahead under the afternoon sun, she took a deep breath and followed after him.
Whatever happened during lunch...
She would deal with it when the time came.
