Chapter 12: The Mayor's Daughter
1157 Words
Upon hearing the news Brielle Sanders brought, Darius Blackwood remained composed.
It seemed that the dire straits of the White family were precisely why Christopher White was so eager to make a move against Hartwell Global Enterprises.
"This information is very important to me, thank you," Darius said earnestly.
No sooner had he spoken than he received a frantic call from Aurora Hartwell, her voice nearly breaking into tears amidst the background noise.
"Darius, come quickly!" she urged.
"For some reason, Echo Ridge General Hospital is trying to kick my grandfather out!"
...
By the time Darius arrived, he found the Hartwell family members with grim expressions.
"You bringer of bad luck, after causing such a disaster, you still have the nerve to show up!"
Alexander Hartwell glared at him, launching into a tirade.
"Do you realize the person you assaulted is the only son of the director of Echo Ridge General Hospital?”
"Because of you, the patriarch is being ousted from his room! Are you satisfied only if you get him killed?!"
While the others remained silent, their looks toward Darius were filled with resentment.
"Don't worry, I'll resolve this issue," Darius responded calmly.
"Resolve it? Don't make me laugh!" sneered another family member.
"You might as well go and apologize to Professor Smith. Maybe he'll show some mercy and let us off!"
"You're right, he owes our family an explanation!" Evelyn Hartwell chimed in.
"I say we should tie him up and send him over to appease Professor Smith's anger. That's the only way to show our family's sincerity."
Evelyn's suggestion quickly gained support from most of the Hartwell family, with several younger members even preparing to take action against Darius.
"Wait, just a moment!" Aurora Hartwell interjected urgently, trying to mediate for Darius.
"Darius wouldn't hit someone without reason. Can't you at least listen to his explanation..."
But she was cut off by Gregory Hartwell.
"Aurora, you have no say here!" he barked.
"I've told you before to end this marriage, but you wouldn't listen! Look at this convict, what has he done other than bring trouble to our family?"
Despite Aurora's diminished status in the family since her disfigurement, being scolded by her father in front of relatives left her stunned and on the verge of tears.
Darius, without hesitation, stepped in front of Aurora.
"Leave this to me. The director of Echo Ridge General Hospital wouldn't dare refuse me; you don't need to worry."
"Shut up!" Emma Hartwell, trembling with rage, couldn't believe Darius's audacity.
"A convict like you, how could you possibly know the director of Echo Ridge General Hospital!”
"If you were that influential, would we be in this situation? Just leave, I can't stand to look at you another minute!"
Amid her tirade, she grabbed a water cup from the table and hurled it at Darius's feet.
The Hartwells looked on with derisive amusement, treating Darius as nothing more than a clown.
"Oh, what a temper!"
Suddenly, a playful voice came from the doorway.
"If he's not up to the task, I wonder if I might be."
Everyone turned to see a delicately beautiful girl in white standing by the door, observing the scene as if watching a play.
It was Brielle Sanders.
Emma, already furious, lashed out without thinking.
"Who the hell do you think you are? This is the Hartwell family's hospital room, irrelevant people should shut up and stay out of it!"
With a slap, Emma's rant was cut short as she was sent flying by Gregory Hartwell's hand.
"The one who needs to shut up is you!" he bellowed, glaring at her.
"Open your eyes and look properly, this is the Mayor's daughter!"
"Ah?"
Emma White was left dumbfounded, her face stinging from the slap and her heart filled with regret.
Having treated the Mayor's daughter with such disdain, she knew she was in for trouble.
The rest of the Hartwell family members turned their shocked gazes toward the delicate-looking girl, unable to believe their eyes.
Why would the distinguished Mayor's daughter appear in the Patriarch of the Hartwell Family's hospital room?
Gregory Hartwell quickly tried to ingratiate himself, offering a sycophantic smile to Brielle Sanders.
"Miss Sanders, may we know the reason for your esteemed visit?"
After giving Darius Blackwood a subtle nod, Brielle coolly stated, "I'm here on someone's behalf, to help resolve the Hartwell family's troubles."
Without paying any further attention to Gregory's attempt at flattery, she turned and headed upstairs.
Minutes later, a nurse entered the room, announcing, "The room for Frederick Hartwell? The director has said you don't need to move out."
The room fell silent, everyone's jaws dropping at the sudden turn of events.
It was clear to all that Brielle Sanders had spoken with the director, causing Echo Ridge General Hospital to change its stance so drastically.
But why would she intervene on behalf of the Hartwell family without any apparent reason?
Could it be because of Darius Blackwood?
Gregory and Alexander Hartwell exchanged looks, both stunned.
Darius Blackwood knew the Mayor's daughter!
Just who was he, really?
As the Hartwells pondered Darius's connections, Christopher White rushed in, his face etched with concern.
"Mr. Hartwell, I heard about the trouble here from Evelyn. Is everything alright?"
"It must be Christopher who helped us!"
Evelyn grasped at this explanation like a lifeline, convinced of her own analysis.
"Christopher's father has a good relationship with the Mayor. He must be the only one who could ask Miss Sanders for help!"
Hearing her reasoning, the rest of the Hartwell family began to look at Christopher with newfound respect and gratitude.
Christopher, however, found himself in an awkward position.
The Mayor? Miss Sanders?
How did these connections come about?
Even his father would struggle to exchange a few words with the Mayor on a regular day, let alone ask for a favor.
But with the Hartwells already misunderstanding the situation, Christopher saw no harm in playing along.
"Yes, I asked her to come. Is the problem resolved now?" he said, feigning confidence.
"Ah, we really owe you one this time, Christopher! Now, the Patriarch can recuperate in peace," praised Oliver Hartwell.
Emma quickly joined in, "Truly, Christopher, you've effortlessly resolved the crisis. Unlike someone who almost caused the Patriarch his life with his actions!"
Darius couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
Christopher's audacity was indeed remarkable.
"What are you laughing at? Am I wrong?" Emma challenged, visibly annoyed.
"Just have him call the Mayor. That will clear everything up," Darius replied calmly, his statement putting Christopher in a tight spot.
Obviously, Christopher didn't have the means to contact the Mayor directly.
"The Mayor is very busy. It's not appropriate to bother him with this," he blustered, trying to save face.
Darius, unrelenting, pierced through Christopher's pretense.
"It seems you can't actually reach the Mayor, can you? After all, your days as 'Christopher the Influential' are numbered."
- Writer
