Chapter 5
Chapter 5: The Lion's Den
St. Jude’s Private Hospital was the cleanest, most expensive medical facility in the city, largely funded by the Vanguard Estate. But tonight, the Vanguard name meant absolutely nothing in these hallways.
The double doors of the VIP waiting room burst open with a sudden violence. A tall man in a flawlessly tailored charcoal suit strode in, his aura radiating absolute, terrifying power. His silver hair was cropped short, and his jaw was set in a tight, furious line. This was Mayor Thomas Montgomery. Behind him were three plainclothes detectives and the City Chief of Police.
Ethan stood up immediately from his chair. He didn't flinch as the Mayor marched straight up to him, grabbed him by the lapels of his bloody suit, and slammed him against the wall.
"Where is my daughter, Ethan?" Mayor Montgomery hissed, his voice a low, terrifying rumble that vibrated through the sterile room. "I gave you my blessing on one condition: that you keep her safe from that psychotic viper you call a mother."
"She’s in emergency surgery, sir. Internal bleeding, three broken ribs, and a severe concussion," Ethan said, his voice cracking. He didn't fight the older man’s grip; he felt he deserved it. "I'm sorry. I left the board meeting as fast as I could, but I was too late."
The Mayor released him with a disgusted shove, wiping his hands as if Ethan were contagious. "If my daughter doesn't wake up, Ethan, I don't care how many billions your family has hidden in offshore accounts. I will use every resource of the city government, every federal agency I have access to, and I will bury the Vanguards under the prison."
Just then, the red light above the surgery doors turned green. A doctor stepped out, pulling off his surgical mask, looking exhausted. "Mayor Montgomery. Mr. Vanguard. The surgery was a success. We managed to stop the internal bleeding. She’s stable, but..."
"But what? Speak plainly, doctor," Ethan demanded, his heart skipping a beat.
"The trauma to her face and head was severe. She's awake, but she is heavily sedated. And Mr. Vanguard... she explicitly requested that you not be allowed in her room. In fact, she signed a restriction order."
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Ethan felt like his chest had been hollowed out. "What? No, that can't be right. I love her. I saved her!"
The Mayor turned to Ethan, adjusting his suit jacket with an icy calm. "She looked at your face, Ethan, and all she saw was the Vanguard name. To her, you look just like the woman who tried to kill her. Stay out of our way. The alliance is over. Tonight, the war begins."
