Chapter 135


    Chapter 135


    At Bayridge Hospital, within the confines of a sterilized room, a doctor, illuminated by the harsh


    fluorescent lights overhead, was inspecting a series of X–rays.


    “Most of it looks okay, but the ring finger on the right hand is shattered. Even after it heals, she’s likely


    to lose some dexterity in that finger.”


    He was well aware that Gwendolyn was a surgeon in her prime, any loss of dexterity was a career–


    ending catastrophe.


    “Isn’t there anything else we can do?” Howard was hushed as he stood by Gwendolyn’s bedside, her


    eyes closed tight against the world.


    “I’m afraid this is beyond even Dr. Yates. Our best bet might be to see if Enoch, that alternative therapy


    guru, can work his magic with some post–op rehab.” The attending physician drifted his gaze to


    Howard’s legs with curiosity, but he didn’t dare to pry further. He had a hunch that Howard might have a


    connection to Enoch.


    “I understand,” Howard replied simply.


    After the doctor offered a few more words of caution, he left the room, the door closing with a soft click


    behind him.


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    Gwendolyn shivered slightly under the thin hospital nket, and a tear slipped from the corner of her


    closed eyes.


    She wasn’t asleep; she had heard every word.


    Seeking out Enoch for her injury? It seemed a fantasy too bold to entertain.


    She was a doctor herself. She knew all too well the grim prognosis for her hand.


    As Howard turned back to her, he saw the silent sobs shake her chest. He reached out, his fingertips


    gently cleaning the tears on her cheeks.


    “Gwendolyn, it’s okay to cry out,” he said, his voiceced with a tender ache.


    But Gwendolyn bit her lip, refusing to make a sound.


    Howard leaned in, pulling her into an embrace. “Don’t be afraid. It’s going to be okay. Just give me two


    days.”


    Gwendolyn’s hands, wrapped in gauze, felt clumsy and foreign. She took a deep, steadying breath and


    said, “Mr. Chadwick, Sandra’s cell phone was smashed. Could you buy a new one for me? I’ll wire you


    the money.”


    “Sure,” Howard said, his ‘response immediate. “Anything else you need?”


    “I… I want to be alone for a bit,” her voice quivered with effort.


    11-28


    Howard gave her a long look, his eyes carrying a weight of unspoken promises, before he slowly exited


    the room.


    The door closed and Gwendolyn crumbled herposure. Her sobs, muffled by the pillow, were


    desperate and heart–wrenching.


    To reach Enoch was a feat akin to scaling a mountain with no peak in sight.


    Bill had fled, Sandra’s phone had been destroyed, the evidence gone.


    She knew that with no medical license and her hands impaired, her path hade to an abrupt end.


    On the other side of the door, Howard clenched his fists as Gwendolyn’s stifled despair reached his


    ears.


    When Nathan arrived at the hospital, he found Howard looking like a storm ready to burst. “Howard!”


    He called out, his gaze dropping to Howard’s unblemished legs and added, “I’ve managed to contain


    the news, they don’t know you’ve recovered. Your parents wanted toe to the hospital, but I


    convinced them to stay home.”


    Fresh from the police station, Nathan was quick to update Howard with thetest, “Waldo has been


    caught and hasn’t spilled on who’s behind all this. Bill and his wife are on the run, still being hunted.


    Waldo must have caught wind of something to go after Gwendolyn like


    this.”


    “It’s Bainbridge’s doing,” Howard said without hesitation,


    “That snake always ys dirty. I bet Waldo won’t give us a straight answer. How’s Gwendolyn’s


    condition?” Nathan nced at the closed door of the hospital room, concern etching his features.


    “It doesn’t look good.”


    Howard was ice cold, then he asked, “What’s the word on Gwendolyn online?”


    “The heat is high,” Nathan said gravely. “Do you want me to spend some cash to cool things off? But


    the impact of Gwendolyn’s unlicensed practice is significant. The Health Association has even issued a


    statement, banning her from practicing medicine for life.”


    With the situation escting, whether Bill was faking his condition had be irrelevant. “Unless


    Gwendolyn can prove she wasn’t practicing without a license,” Nathan added.


    Howard was a mask of ruthless intent, a cold smile ying on his lips. “Stir the pot. Hire some


    keyboard warriors to blow this whole thing up. The bigger the scandal, the better.”


    Why would he want to fan the mes?