Entangled with the Cold Billionaire CEO

Chapter 7: Her choice

Fiona’s gaze lingered on her phone, her mind a jumble of conflicting thoughts. She wasn't obligated to attend to William outside of her scheduled shifts, but her heart kept drifting toward him no matter how hard she tried to suppress it.

On the other hand, her blind date had treated her with nothing but respect and consideration, and he had even given her a second chance to meet. Leaving him hanging again would not only be profoundly disrespectful to him, but it would also be a massive disappointment to her mother.

Fiona fiddled with the strap of her bag, her brows creasing in anxiety.

“Dr. Fiona?” the nurse called out, waiting anxiously for her directive.

Fiona took a deep breath, dropping the phone into her bag before meeting the nurse's eyes with newfound resolve.

“I have an important personal commitment tonight, and I cannot miss it.” She patted the nurse’s shoulder gently but firmly. “Page the on-call resident to handle his evening check-in, and ensure the night shift keeps a close eye on his vitals.”

Without waiting for the nurse to reply, she turned and hurried down the corridor. The sharp, cold night air hit Fiona the moment she stepped out of the hospital building, instantly cooling her racing thoughts.

She jogged to her car, quickly driving out of the parking lot while silently praying that the evening traffic would work in her favor.

Back in the VIP suite, the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense.

“The chairman visited today,” Gideon, William’s secretary, reported as he adjusted the controls to raise William's backrest.

Gideon stepped back from the bedside, cautiously observing William's stoic expression from the corner of his eye. He cleared his throat, making a few quick notations on his tablet while waiting for a reaction.

“Do you have something to say, Gideon?” William asked, his voice low.

Gideon paused briefly, letting out a quiet sigh. “Is something else on your mind, sir?” he asked carefully.

William didn't reply, but it was entirely evident that his thoughts were elsewhere. His dark gaze kept drifting toward the closed double doors of the suite, his thumb drumming a slow, rhythmic beat against the edge of the bed.

Sensing the boundary, Gideon didn't press further. He placed a sleek laptop onto the overbed table, pivoting back to the urgent matter at hand.

“The media coverage surrounding the violent assault has caused a massive public sensation. If you don't take decisive action tomorrow...” Gideon paused, choosing his words with absolute precision. “The board might pressure you to step down temporarily as CEO.”

William’s hand paused.

“Our stock price has plummeted by seven percent since closing, and the city real estate project was forcefully halted this afternoon.” Gideon glanced at William with deep concern. “What are your orders, sir?”

Despite possessing an exceptionally resilient physique, discharging himself from the hospital tomorrow was medically dangerous. But missing the scheduled press conference? That would be catastrophic for the Sterling Group.

William Sterling looked up, a sharp, dangerous smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Prepare the wardrobe. I'm attending the press conference tomorrow.”

Gideon’s gaze instinctively dropped to William's bandaged abdomen. His breathing turned heavy. William was in no physical condition to walk across a stage, let alone endure a grueling interrogation by the press.

“Sir, how about we—”

William cut him off with a single, icy glare that froze the words right in Gideon's throat.

“Understood, sir,” Gideon said, bowing slightly before walking over to the wide windows to brief the PR team over the phone.

While he was speaking in hushed tones, the suite door suddenly clicked open. Both men turned their heads instinctively toward the entrance—one with sharp curiosity, the other with intense anticipation.

A floor nurse walked in, instantly freezing under the weight of their dual stares. Her posture stiffened, her head bowing slightly as she pushed a medical tray toward the bed. She approached William, offering a polite nod before setting her instruments down.

William’s expression darkened the moment he realized it wasn't Fiona. A cold, dismissive scoff escaped his lips before he turned his attention back to his laptop screen.

“Dr. Fiona asked me to change your telemetry leads—”

“Get out.”

The freezing command sent an immediate chill down the nurse's spine. Her outstretched hands trembled over the tray. She stood frozen for a moment, staring blankly at the medical supplies.

It was common for high-profile patients to resist routine care, and despite his intimidating VIP status, it was still her duty to ensure he was treated.

Summoning every ounce of professional courage she had left, she took a small step forward, forcing her eyes upward.

Gideon stood by the window with the phone still pressed to his ear, watching the scene unfold. He felt a sudden wave of pity for the nurse, slightly admiring her stubborn bravery.

“Sir, it is my duty to monitor your condition tonight, and—”

William suddenly snapped his laptop shut, his deep, midnight-black eyes locking onto hers. The sheer coldness in his gaze cut her words off instantly.

Completely deflated and thoroughly terrified, the nurse quickly gathered her tray and scurried out of the room without waiting for a formal dismissal. The look in his eyes had communicated everything she needed to know.

Even Gideon, who was well-accustomed to his boss's terrifying temperament, felt a slight shudder pass through him as the door clicked shut.