Chapter 10 - The Man in the Hallway
Felix intercepted Briggs before he reached Lily’s room.
“You’re done.”
Briggs stopped.
“I’m here on behalf of Ms. Arden.”
“You’re leaving on behalf of me.”
“This hospital is not your property anymore, Felix.”
Felix stepped closer.
“My daughter is behind that door.”
Briggs’s expression shifted.
“So the allegation has become official.”
“It isn’t an allegation.”
“Has there been a paternity test?”
Sarah appeared behind Felix.
Briggs smiled faintly.
“There you are.”
Sarah stared at him.
“You sent the kitchen instruction.”
“That is a serious accusation.”
“We have the message.”
“I send hundreds of instructions.”
Felix’s voice became quiet.
“Why are you here?”
Briggs reached into his briefcase.
Security moved closer.
Slowly, he removed an envelope.
“A formal notice.”
Felix did not take it.
“About what?”
“A petition requesting preservation of medical and genetic records relevant to potential paternity and corporate inheritance claims.”
Sarah’s face went cold.
“You filed against a six-year-old in the hospital?”
Briggs remained calm.
“Ms. Arden has a fiduciary obligation to shareholders.”
Felix laughed once.
It sounded dangerous.
“She isn’t even married to me.”
“No.”
Briggs looked at him.
“But your resignation triggered succession concerns.”
Sarah understood before Felix did.
Lily was not simply Felix’s daughter.
She could become an heir to his family trust.
Celeste knew it.
That made Lily a financial threat.
Briggs extended the envelope again.
Felix took it.
Then handed it directly to his lawyer, who had arrived behind security.
“You can discuss it with him.”
Briggs’s eyes narrowed.
“The board meets tonight.”
“Enjoy it.”
“Odette intends to formalize your removal.”
Felix did not react.
Briggs turned to Sarah.
“Ms. Marlowe, you should consider whether this is the life you want for your daughter.”
Sarah stepped closer.
“You mean a life where wealthy people threaten her because they’re afraid she exists?”
Briggs’s smile disappeared.
“You misunderstand the stakes.”
“No.”
Sarah looked at Lily’s door.
“I spent seven years understanding them.”
Security escorted Briggs away.
Felix watched until the elevator doors closed.
Then Sarah said, “You need a paternity test.”
Felix looked at her.
“I believe you.”
“This isn’t about belief anymore.”
She swallowed.
“They will use every uncertainty.”
Felix nodded.
The test was arranged privately that evening.
Results would take time.
Meanwhile, Lily continued improving.
For the first time, everyone allowed themselves to hope.
At nine fifteen, Sarah stepped downstairs to speak with the billing office.
Felix remained beside Lily.
At nine twenty-three, a hospital aide delivered a tray.
“Late meal.”
Felix frowned.
“She already ate.”
The aide checked the label.
“Special pediatric order.”
Felix glanced at the paper.
The tray carried a printed seal.
Marlowe House - Allergy Safe.
His entire body went cold.
“Don’t put that down.”
The aide froze.
Felix lifted the cover.
A sweet almond scent rose into the air.
Lily coughed.
Once.
Then again.
Felix grabbed the tray and shoved it toward the hallway.
“Get this out.”
Lily’s monitor began to rise.
A nurse rushed in.
Felix looked at the label.
Someone had sent another dangerous meal directly into his daughter’s hospital room.
May you like
This time, it could not be called an accident.
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