Chapter 211
The instant the crowd caught sight of the MDH Pharmaceutical Research Institute insignia, a ripple of stunned whispers spread through the room.
No one had anticipated a physician from MDH appearing here.
Julian Whitmore offered a polite, professional smile.
“My apologies, but this patient is highly unstable and may become violent at any moment. I must transport him to the psychiatric facility immediately.”
The moment Julian identified himself and demonstrated his expert handling of the situation, all objections died on the lips of the onlookers.
No one wanted to risk witnessing a deranged outburst in the middle of this chaos.
While Julian coordinated Darren Whitlock’s transfer, the reporters swiftly redirected their focus back to Ethan Blackwood and Sophia Kensington.
“Mr. Blackwood, did you orchestrate this scheme to frame Ms. Sinclair? Were you attempting to sabotage Charisma Company’s reputation for competitive gain, allowing Miss Kensington to manipulate events from behind the scenes? Your company narrowly escaped one scandal, and now you’re embroiled in a defamation lawsuit. How do you respond to these allegations?”
Sophia, who had secretly tipped off the media in hopes of ruining Isabella’s image, suddenly found herself trapped in her own web.
The press descended like vultures, and her ill-conceived plan had spectacularly backfired.
But Ethan wasn’t listening to the barrage of questions.
The sight of Julian from MDH had reminded him of what truly mattered—his mother’s worsening condition. The media circus could wait.
The second he saw Julian turning to leave, Ethan seized Sophia’s arm and shoved through the crowd, ignoring the reporters clamoring for a statement.
“Sir! Please, just a moment!” he called out.
This was too crucial an opportunity to let slip. Ethan might never get another chance to connect with someone from MDH.
“You’re from MDH Pharmaceuticals, correct? I’m Ethan Blackwood, CEO of the Blackwood Group. My mother suffers from a severe neurological disorder—debilitating migraines, chronic pain. I was hoping you could assist with her treatment. Money is no object.”
Julian barely spared him a glance, his expression indifferent.
“Not a chance.”
Ethan and Sophia had just been publicly attacking Isabella, and now they had the gall to ask for a favor? The audacity was laughable.
“You see, I don’t treat people with questionable morals. For me, that’s a sin.”
Ethan’s smile stiffened, his jaw tightening.
A sin?
The mockery was unmistakable. But Julian was a renowned physician, one of MDH’s finest. With a few cutting words, he shattered Ethan’s last hope of securing help.
Just as Ethan tried to explain further, Julian turned on his heel and strode away, his pace quickening as if eager to put as much distance between them as possible.
“Ethan, what do we do now?” Sophia hissed, frustration lacing her voice. “I can’t believe Isabella has this much influence. Even MDH doctors are refusing us because of her!”
She bit her lip, her eyes flashing with indignation. “This isn’t right! Your mother is suffering, and just because Isabella holds some petty grudge—”
Seeing the storm brewing in Ethan’s gaze, Sophia pressed on sharply. “She’s gone too far. First, she tarnishes our company’s reputation, and now she’s preventing your mother from receiving the care she needs. It’s unconscionable!”
Ethan’s expression darkened.
“I used to think she was compassionate. Gentle. But it was all just an act.”
He exhaled slowly, the weight of his words heavy between them.
His last hope now rested on that damned hacker game. He had no idea when it would be operational again, but he refused to believe he couldn’t find another way to save his mother—without Isabella’s interference.
Meanwhile, in the car, Julian glanced at the sedated Darren slumped in the backseat. He turned to the psychiatric hospital staff with a weary sigh.
“This patient has a documented history of extreme violent episodes. I strongly advise implementing additional legal precautions to ensure staff safety.”
His tone was measured, but the implication was clear—Julian was recommending the most stringent restraints available.
For a moment, his gaze lingered on Darren’s unconscious form, a shadow passing over his face.
The scene from earlier replayed in his mind, making his breath hitch.
A single second.
One heartbeat more, and that knife would have been buried in Isabella’s chest.
Sending Darren to a psychiatric hospital felt far too lenient.
Julian had already made up his mind—he would be paying the facility a visit tonight.
One injection of irreversible medication would render Darren permanently incapacitated.
…
