Chapter 4The "Prized" Son

“Hahahahaha!” Isabella burst out laughing. “Ethan, you really have lost it. This hospital is yours? Why don’t you just say the whole world is yours?”

She waved at the security guards who had just arrived. “Get this lunatic out of here!”

“If he resists, tie him up and send him to the psych ward. Put all the expenses on my account. Consider it a final act of charity from his loving sister-in-law.”

The guards started to close in on me.

I fixed them with a cold stare. “You might want to think very carefully about the consequences of touching me.”

My intensity gave them pause, but Isabella grew impatient. “What are you waiting for? He’s one crazy person! Are you scared of him? If anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility!”

Just as a guard’s hand was about to grab my arm, a voice boomed from the end of the hall.

“Everyone, stop!”

It was Director Evans, the man I had personally promoted from deputy. The man I had specifically told to take good care of Isabella.

“Director Evans,” I said, my voice cutting through the silence. “Relay my orders.”

“Effective immediately, Dr. Isabella Felton is suspended from all duties, pending an internal investigation. Furthermore, I want Jim and his two children escorted out of this hospital. Immediately.”

But to my astonishment, Director Evans scurried past me and bowed respectfully to Isabella.

“Madame Chairman, my sincerest apologies. I am so sorry you and your husband were disturbed.”

I stared, dumbfounded.

What was this? Had Evans betrayed me? Was he on Isabella’s payroll?

Isabella sauntered over to me, a triumphant smirk on her face as she gestured toward the hallway, where a hospital bed was being wheeled toward us. “Still acting tough, Ethan? You wanted to kill my son? Today, I’ll show you who really has power in this hospital. I decide who lives…” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “And who won’t live to see the morning.”

My blood ran cold as I saw the gurney approaching. “Isabella! You’re not human…” My voice was shaking uncontrollably.

I tried to run to my mother, but Isabella grabbed my arm, her grip like iron.

“Scared now?” she purred. “Too late.”

They wheeled my mother right in front of me. An oxygen tube was taped to her nose, and the monitors beside her bed beeped a steady, fragile rhythm. At a nod from Isabella, the guards pinned me down.

“Look, Ethan. Your mother is doing quite well. It would be a shame if she just… stopped breathing.”

“Isabella!” I twisted my head, my eyes burning with hatred. “Put her back! Damn you, put her back right now!”

She raised an eyebrow. “Whether she goes back or not… depends on you.” She lightly tapped the red handprint still visible on her cheek. “This hurts.” Then she pointed to her knee. “And this hurts, too.”

“Now,” she said, her voice low and menacing, “get on your knees and apologize to my son and my husband.”

Her hand moved, hovering over my mother’s oxygen tube. “Or your mother runs out of air. Right now.”

I watched in horror as she pulled the tube halfway out. My mother’s face began to turn a terrifying shade of blue.

I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t bet my mother’s life.

My knees buckled. I was about to kneel.

Just then, a hand shot out from the side, firmly holding me up.

“Who would dare make him kneel?”