Chapter 30 Negotiating
Brooklyn and Susie's gaze met in a silent battle of wills. Susie's jaw tightened, her resolve hardening against any notion of an apology.
"You have ten seconds," Brooklyn warned, her voice icy. "If I don't hear an apology, I'll have no choice but to seek retribution."
Brooklyn's gaze remained unflinching, watching as Susie's face transformed into a mask of livid fury. Susie's hand clenched into a fist, yet she held back, restrained by an invisible leash.
Brooklyn was, after all, Sebastian's wife. Despite his indifference and infidelities, she was still the young mistress of the prestigious Kingsley family, a woman of considerable influence.
Susie, ignorant of the full truth, felt a prickling sense of caution towards her.
Reluctantly, Susie lifted her head, her teeth grinding against each other in frustration. "I'm sorry," she muttered through gritted teeth.
Brooklyn rose slowly, mindful of her wound. She cast a downward glance at Susie, her smile enigmatic. "Take good care of this disc. I've made a few copies, just in case you damage it. If you do, I can always provide another."
Susie's teeth grated audibly. "Get out!"
"Please tell your wonderful mother to cherish her time at Mitchell Villa. She might find herself evicted one day..."
"Get out!"
Susie sprang to her feet, pointing towards the door, her voice a roar. Her facade crumbled, revealing her true nature - irritable, spoiled, and naive.
"You seem to have grasped the situation," Brooklyn noted, her smile faint. She exited the Mitchell Group's office building, her steps light, and settled into her car, her gaze lingering on the building's logo.
"Brooklyn, do you like it?"
A seven-year-old Brooklyn snuggled into her father's arms, her small fingers tracing the intricate design of the Mitchell Group's logo. Her smile was pure and sweet. "Yes, I like it!"
"Brooklyn, will you help Daddy run the company when you grow up?"
Young Brooklyn considered the question, her large eyes blinking thoughtfully before shaking her head. "No, I want to be a doctor ."
Stephen ruffled Brooklyn's hair, his curiosity piqued. "Why a doctor and not a businesswoman?"
Brooklyn's lips formed a determined line. "Because as a doctor, I can save people. If I study hard and become a good doctor, I can treat Daddy when he gets sick!"
In her young mind, Brooklyn reasoned that if she were a skilled doctor, her mother wouldn't have had to die.
Jolted from her reverie, Brooklyn shook her head, dispelling the memory. She found herself questioning if her decision to forsake the company had been a mistake.
Her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts.
"Dr. Mitchell, we need you at the hospital immediately."
Again?
"Which patient is it this time?"
Brooklyn buckled her seatbelt, connected her Bluetooth headset, and steered the car toward the hospital.
"It's serious this time, Dr. Mitchell... You might be walking into a difficult situation. But don't worry, Mr. Clark and Mr. Whitman are on it."
"Mr. Whitman" referred to Bruce Whitman, the head of internal medicine. Sienna's voice trembled with anxiety, the chaos in the background seeping through the call.
"What happened?"
"A patient who was transferred to our department yesterday suffered a sudden myocardial infarction an hour ago... He didn't make it."
Yesterday? That was Brooklyn's patient.
"Why wasn't I informed sooner?!"
Brooklyn's foot pressed down on the accelerator. A patient's sudden death could have serious repercussions, and she could be in deep trouble.
"The patient initially responded well to treatment, there were no complications, but then he suddenly..."
"I understand, I'll be there shortly!"
"Come in through the back door. The patient's family is causing a commotion and demanding answers from the hospital. They specifically asked for you. Come and see what Mr. Clark plans to do."
Brooklyn made a beeline for the hospital, her heart pounding in her chest. The moment she stepped off the elevator, a cacophony of curses assaulted her ears.
"Dr. Mitchell! Follow me quickly!" Felix, a fellow doctor, seized her wrist, pulling her back into the elevator just as the irate family members of a patient lunged towards her.
As the elevator doors slid shut with a soft hiss, Brooklyn caught a glimpse of the furious mob, their screams echoing in the sterile hospital corridor as they waved their fists like wild animals.
Leaning against the cool metal of the elevator, Brooklyn tried to steady her racing heart. The scene she had just witnessed was nothing short of terrifying. Never before had she faced such hostility from a patient's family since she donned her white coat. Their fury was palpable, their sanity questionable.
Felix cast a worried glance at Brooklyn, his voice laced with concern. "Are you alright? "
Brooklyn managed a shaky nod. "Thank you."
Felix's gaze lingered on the beads of sweat dotting her forehead, his worry far from assuaged. "You weren't on duty today. Why did you come to the hospital? It's best to stay away during times like these. Once the storm passes, it will be safe. They just think it's easier to intimidate a female doctor."
His words were a grim reminder of the reality they faced. Resolute, he decided to show them that female doctors were not to be trifled with. As the elevator descended, Felix's expression hardened. "You wouldn't want to confront those people head-on, would you, Dr. Mitchell? Grieving family members aren't rational. Reasoning with them is futile! Do you understand? Do not take any risks."
Brooklyn's gaze fell on Felix, his white coat pristine, a medical record folder clutched in his hand. It was evident he wanted to prevent the situation from escalating. "The incident has already occurred, and I can't just stand by. I am the patient's attending physician, and I can't escape from the past. Thank you, you can go on rounds."
With that, she pressed a button, exiting the elevator prematurely.
"Don't act impulsively, Dr. Mitchell! Mr. Clark and Mr. Whitman are working on a solution!" Felix's words were abruptly cut off as the elevator doors slid shut, his voice swallowed by the silence.
Brooklyn made her way to George's office, her resolve unwavering.
Upon seeing Brooklyn, George adjusted his glasses, his voice laced with concern. "Why are you here? You come to the hospital at this time, are you trying to get beaten by the patient's family?"
Brooklyn expressed her gratitude, "Mr. Clark, thank you for explaining earlier, but it was my patient who died. I have an inescapable responsibility and an obligation to state the facts. If I don't speak up, they will think the hospital is hiding something. So, I request to examine the patient's body."
George's cloudy eyes narrowed, disbelief etched on his face. "Brooklyn, are you out of your mind? Examine the body? I have seen the patient's case, and he was indeed admitted with acute myocardial infarction and had no other medical history."
Brooklyn nodded, her voice steady. "I know, but I can't guarantee that the patient didn't have any other conditions before the onset."
Just then, Bruce, who had been grappling with the situation, rushed in. Spotting Brooklyn in George's office, he rubbed his bald forehead, his voice strained. "Mr. Clark, the patient's family is demonstrating at the hospital gate! They even hung up banners. It seems like they are trying to extort us."
The trio moved to the window, their gaze falling on the large banner hanging at the hospital entrance, brimming with curses. The patient's family members held up signs and wailed, their cries attracting a crowd of onlookers.
Brooklyn's brow furrowed, her voice resolute. "It seems like they really are here for money. Mr. Clark, Mr. Whitman, if we give in and give them money to calm this down, it will only encourage this unhealthy trend and won't completely solve the problem."
George removed his glasses, rubbing his tired eyes. "What's your solution? Tell me your thoughts."
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