The Counteroffer
1028 Words
Rosy walked like a queen, her every step exuding elegance and confidence. As she reached the door, she slowed, her sharp instincts kicking in.
"I feel like someone is watching me," she thought, her eyes darting around. "Who would dare? Probably just my imagination. No matter. Today, I’m putting Sage in her place."
Unbeknownst to her, Sage had quickly hidden inside a nearby hospital ward, watching her every move.
Once Rosy was gone, Sage stepped out and entered the head doctor's office.
The doctor was on his knees, gathering the bundles of cash Rosy had thrown on the floor.
Hearing the door creak open, he straightened and barked, "Security! Who entered my office without permission?"
But as he turned, his breath caught in his throat. It was Sage.
The money slipped from his trembling hands.
"M-Miss Sage…" His voice wavered. "How are you, ma’am? Is there something you need to discuss? Please, have a seat."
Sage walked forward and took a seat, crossing her legs elegantly.
"Actually, I'm not here to disturb you, Doctor Sam. I just have a question… you wouldn’t do anything to harm the heir of the Mafia family, would you?"
Doctor Sam’s face turned pale. "O-Of course not, madam. After your father, you are next in line."
Sage’s lips curled into a smirk. "Exactly. You understand your position, then. Tell me, why would someone willingly sharpen a lion’s teeth, only to have that same lion turn around and bite them?"
The doctor swallowed hard. "I don’t understand what you mean, Miss Sage."
Her smirk disappeared. "Then let me spell it out for you. My father built this hospital, didn’t he?"
Doctor Sam nodded quickly. "Yes, Miss Sage, he did."
Her voice turned cold. "Then tell me, why have you decided to go along with a plan to slander me?"
The doctor’s eyes widened in panic. "Miss Sage, I would never! I don’t know what you’re talking about!"
Sage exhaled and pulled out her phone. Her voice was calm as she made a call.
"Bring me a good beating belt and four guards to the head doctor's office. You have 30 seconds. Your time starts now."
A knock came at the door almost immediately.
"Miss Sage, we have arrived. Should we come in?"
The guards entered swiftly.
Without warning, Sage slapped one of them across the face.
"You should have let me count to one."
All four guards instantly dropped to their knees. "We are sorry, Miss Sage!"
She barely glanced at them before turning her gaze back to Doctor Sam.
"Get the truth out of him. He dares to betray the Mafia group. But don’t touch his face."
The guards grabbed Doctor Sam, forcing him to the ground.
The Doctor’s Confession
The torture began. Ten minutes passed, but the doctor refused to speak.
Sage’s patience was wearing thin.
She gave a single nod, and one of the guards pressed a firm hand against the doctor’s mouth and nose suffocating him.
Doctor Sam thrashed, his arms flailing.
Sage leaned forward, her voice soft but chilling. "When you’re ready to confess, just raise your hand."
Seconds later, the doctor’s hand shot up in surrender.
The guard released him, allowing him to gasp for air.
Doctor Sam coughed violently before he stammered, "Miss Sage, please… I will speak! Spare me!"
Sage made a small motion with her fingers, and the guards backed away.
"I’m listening," she said coolly.
Doctor Sam wiped the sweat from his forehead. "It wasn’t my intention… If I had known it would anger you this much, I would have never agreed. I swear, I had no choice."
Sage raised a brow. "No choice? You mean to tell me someone forced you?"
He swallowed hard. "Miss Rosy,she backed me into a corner. If not for my daughter, I would never have accepted her deal."
At that, Sage’s expression changed.
For the first time since entering the room, she looked at him with something other than fury. She looked… curious.
"Your daughter is sick?"
Doctor Sam nodded weakly. "She-- she has stomach cancer. The treatments are expensive. I didn’t know what else to do."
Sage sighed, leaning back in her chair. Her anger melted into calculation.
"I see. Then I’ll give you thirty seconds to consider my counteroffer."
Doctor Sam blinked, confused. "Counteroffer…?"
Sage tilted her head. "I will give you twice the amount Rosy promised, and I will personally provide the best doctor in the world to treat your daughter. You won’t have to pay a dime,I will handle everything.
Doctor Sam’s eyes widened.
"Guard No. 67, bring my credit card. Guard No. 12, get the swiping machine."
A moment later, Sage placed her black titanium card on the table.
"This card has exactly 2.1 billion in it. Swipe it and confirm."
One of the guards quickly checked and nodded. "Confirmed, Miss Sage."
Sage stood up and extended her hand toward Doctor Sam.
"You made a mistake betraying me. But since your actions were for your daughter, I will let it slide. However, you now work for me."
The doctor’s hands trembled as he slowly took hers. "Thank you, Miss Sage. I swear, I’ll never betray you again."
Sage’s eyes held a glint of satisfaction. "I’ll be watching you closely. Don’t think for a moment that you’re off the hook. If you fail me, your daughter will never see another treatment again."
The doctor nodded fervently, his expression a mixture of relief and terror.
As he stood there, Sage’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She glanced down at the screen. It was a message from one of her most trusted guards.
"Miss Sage, we’ve located Rosy. She’s at the warehouse. We believe she’s planning something big."
Sage’s lips curled into a dangerous smile. "Perfect."
She turned to the guards. "Prepare my car. I’m going to pay Rosy a visit. It’s time to end this little game."
Doctor Sam quickly grabbed his phone, but Sage held up a hand to stop him. "Don’t even think about it. Your loyalty to me is the only thing that matters now."
With that, she strode out of the office, her presence commanding respect and fear in equal measure.
- Writer
