I'll Make Them All Pay; A General's Revenge

Chapter 10..

Videl..

The lights outside the Greyson Hotel glowed softly against the night, gold and warm, too gentle for the kind of day I had lived through. I had booked the room that morning because I didn’t want to return to Greeneland that night.

As I stepped inside, a woman stationed near the entrance straightened. She greeted me with practiced ease and handed me a key card.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Have a pleasant stay, Ms. Fredericks.”

The elevator ride to the VIP floor passed in quiet. When the doors opened, cool air brushed my skin, carrying a faint, clean scent. I unlocked the suite and walked in.

For a moment, I stood there, unmoving.

The room was large and tastefully lit, city lights stretching beyond the tall windows. I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off my boots, releasing a breath I had not realized I was holding. My body was tired. My mind refused to follow.

I undressed and went into the bathroom. The tub filled slowly, steam rising as the water grew hot. When I lowered myself into it, the warmth wrapped around me, easing the tension lodged deep in my muscles. I leaned back, closing my eyes, letting the heat quiet the noise in my head. For a few minutes, there was nothing else. Just water. Just breath.

When I finally stood, I dried off and slipped into a robe. My reflection stared back at me in the mirror, composed, unreadable. Only my eyes gave anything away.

Back in the room, I picked up the phone and pressed the room service button.

It rang once.

“Good evening, room service. How may I assist you?”

“Yes,” I said softly. “I’d like to place an order.”

“Of course, Ms. Fredericks. May I have your room number?”

“Presidential suite. 1809.”

“Thank you. Please go ahead.”

“I’d like grilled salmon, medium, with vegetables on the side. No sauce. A bowl of soup, light. And sparkling water.”

“Noted. Would you like any dessert or additional sides?”

“No.”

“Very well. Your order will be delivered shortly.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Ms. Fredericks. Enjoy your evening.”

A few minutes later, a soft knock came at the door.

I opened it to find a hotel attendant, neat in his uniform, a tray balanced on a wheeled cart.

“Good evening, Ms. Fredericks,” he greeted, lowering his head slightly.

“Come in,” I said.

He moved gracefully, setting the tray near the window, uncovering the dishes with quiet precision. The scent of warm food filled the room.

“Grilled salmon, medium, with vegetables. Soup on the side. Sparkling water,” he recited. “Please let us know if you need anything else.”

“That will be all,” I said.

“Enjoy your meal.”

When he left, the room fell into silence again. I sat by the table, began to eat, and scrolled absently through my phone. Halfway through the meal, it rang.

Jeff.

I answered.

“General,” he said. “I have Dr. Bennett. Head doctor at Walker Medical Center.”

“Where do you want to meet him?”

“Somewhere private. You know what I mean.”

“Understood. I’ll send you the location.”

After the call, I put the phone face down and continued eating until I was done. The location came in minutes later, but I didn’t rush. I changed into a dark dress, tied my hair back, and left the hotel.

Less than an hour later, I walked into a private residence — the kind that never appeared on public records.

The room was softly lit, tastefully furnished, silent except for the faint hum of the air system. Jeff was already there, sitting on a couch, one leg crossed over the other. The moment he saw me, he stood.

The man opposite him — the doctor — turned his head. His face went pale the instant our eyes met.

“Mrs. Walker…” he breathed.

I tilted my head slightly. “What did you just call me?”

He froze.

A quiet sigh escaped me. “It seems you’ve forgotten. Eric got married today. That name doesn’t belong to me anymore.”

He said nothing. He just stared, trembling.

“So, Doctor…” I let the question linger as I stepped closer. “What’s your name again?”

Still nothing.

I moved forward, closing the distance in a few strides, and caught his cheek in my hand, pressing his face between my fingers until his skin flushed red.

“Do not ignore me when I’m talking to you.”

He winced, eyes darting away. “Please…”

I pressed a little harder, watching his jaw tighten before I let go. He gasped, rubbing at his face.

“So, Doctor?”

“Bennett,” he said quickly. “Dr. Bennett.”

I smiled faintly. “You do know why I invited you, don’t you?”

He shook his head but his body gave him away — shoulders hunched, trembling. Then suddenly he dropped to his knees.

“Please,” he stammered. “Please spare me. I didn’t want to do it. I swear I didn’t. Mr. Walker forced me.”

“Don’t hide behind Eric Walker,” I said quietly.

My voice was calm, almost gentle. That made him flinch harder.

“You’re a certified doctor,” I continued, my words deliberate, precise. “You knew exactly what you were doing. You knew it was illegal. You knew it was wrong. And you still went ahead.”

I reached for him, my hand closing around his throat. His breath caught instantly, eyes bulging.

“You didn’t make a mistake,” I said. “You made a choice.”

He struggled, his hands clawing weakly at mine as his breath turned into shallow gasps.

“You killed my child,” I said softly. “And now you want mercy?”

I leaned closer. “Sorry, Dr. Bennett. I don’t show mercy.”

His eyes went wide, tears glistening in the corners. “Please… don’t kill me. I beg you.”

I watched him for a moment longer, then loosened my grip.

“Alright,” I said. “I won’t.”

He collapsed to the floor, coughing, clutching his neck as air rushed back into his lungs.

“But there’s a condition,” I added.

He looked up, terrified and shaking.

“You’ll give statements. Records. Dates. Names. Every single document tied to Walker Medical Center and that procedure.”

He shook his head quickly. “If I do that, my license...my life..”

“You already lost those,” I told him. “The only thing you get to decide now is whether you lose them or your life.”

His shoulders slumped. The fight drained out of him completely.

“I’ll do it,” he whispered. “I’ll give you everything.”

I nodded once, satisfied.

Jeff stepped forward. “You’ll be contacted by independent counsel,” he said evenly. “You are not to leave the city or contact Eric Walker or anyone associated with him. Any attempt to do so will be recorded.”

Dr. Bennett swallowed. “Yes. I understand.”

I turned toward the door, but paused.

“Do not betray me,” I said quietly. “If you do…”

I didn’t finish the sentence. I didn’t need to.

He nodded quickly, trembling.

I left the room, Jeff following behind me until we reached the car.

The road was quiet that night.

The city lights blurred softly in the distance, the hum of the tires steady beneath me. My mind was somewhere else — not in the car, not even in the city. I almost didn’t see the car that pulled out from the corner until the headlights caught the edge of mine.

The impact was light, more a jolt than a crash, but enough to throw my heart into my throat. I stopped the car immediately and got out.

A man stepped out from the other car, tall, clean-cut, and visibly startled. His expression was more concern than anger.

“I’m so sorry,” I said quickly. “I wasn’t paying attention. Are you alright?”

He rubbed his arm lightly, glancing at the scrape on his bumper. “I’m fine.”

I hesitated, my gaze drifting to the mark on his vehicle, the shallow scrape catching the streetlight. “Should I transfer the money for the repair, or arrange for it to be fixed?”

He shook his head without hesitation. “Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing.”

“Are you sure?” I asked. “I could take you to a hospital, just to be safe.”

He raised a brow, a faint hint of amusement touching his expression. “I’m fine. Seriously. Just be careful on the road.”

I nodded slowly. “Alright.”

He lingered for a moment, his eyes searching my face as if weighing something unspoken. “Never mind the damage,” he said quietly. “I just wanted to be sure you were okay.''

Then he turned and drove off.

I stood there for a few seconds longer than necessary, the quiet of the street settling around me again. Only when his taillights disappeared did I get back in and start the engine, my hands steady now as I drove back toward the hotel, slower this time, more careful.

Back in the suite, I shut the door behind me, kicked off my shoes, and let myself fall onto the bed, exhaustion finally catching up.