RedNovelRegret 144 "I thought it was something serious." Wesley called Julian into the room, then turned to Charlotte. "However many people you need, just let Julian know." Julian quickly took his place beside Charlotte, eager to please. "Miss Sterling, do you need sextra hands?" Charlotte was caught off guard by Wesley's easy agreement. She'd half expected her request to be out of line. She thought for a moment. "I won't need many. Two should be enough." "Two? That's not nearly enough." Wesley propped his chin on his hand. "I'm not exactly short on staff here. Let's say four, just to be safe. Julian will pick them out for you and make sure they know what you need." "If you're assigningyour people, then what about your mother...?" "My mother will be fine. Julian and I will look after her." As if on cue, Mrs. Rayburn must have overheard. She strolled over, beaming at Charlotte. "Sweetheart, I'm right here." She held up a doll she'd just finished dressing up. "Look, I made you look so pretty!" Charlotte smiled warmly. "She's beautiful." "You're my daughter-of course you're the prettiest!” Mrs. Rayburn giggled, her eyes full of joy as she gazed at Charlotte./ Later, Julian led four bodyguards to Hiram's hospital room. He left them waiting outside and entered with Charlotte, glancing toward the boy lying in bed. "Miss Sterling, is this your brother?" Charlotte nodded.
Julian muttered, "You two don't look much alike." "We're not related by blood." "Ah, so you're not biological siblings?" Charlotte gave a soft, resigned sigh. “I was adopted by the Sterling family." "That explains it..." Julian nodded, thoughtful. "But you must be close. You're worried about him, right? Is someone after him?" Julian could guess the situation: if someone needed bodyguards in a private 1/3 13:06 hospital, they must be afraid something would happen.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtCharlotte didn't hide it, but she didn't give him the full story either. "Something like that. Right now, I can only trust Mr. Rayburn's people." To be precise, she could only trust the Rayburn family's influence.
Once Julian finished briefing the bodyguards outside, he went back to report to Wesley, who had already guessed why Charlotte had asked for help.
"Young Master, the Sterlings are just an average family. They're not exactly high society here in the Capital. Who could they have possibly crossed to need our protection?" Julian sounded genuinely surprised.
It was hard to imagine a minor family offending anyone important in their circles.
Wesley took a sip of his coffee. "Isn't Vandermere Private Hospital owned by Cloudcrest Medical Group? That's the Howard family's business, right?" Julian nodded. "That's right." Wesley set his cup down. "Then this must have something to do with the Howards." Julian's eyes widened. "The Howard family? You think the Sterlings have gotten on their bad side?" "I doubt it's that simple." Wesley moved to the window, gazing out at the city skyline. "More likely, there's skind of history between them. Maybe she's trying to break away from that connection! Julian chuckled. "Sir, you haven't known Miss Sterling for long. You sound like you know all her secrets." Wesley's gaze dropped, his voice softening. "I don't know... She just feels strangely familiar to me."
He understood it well-this sense of instant connection wasn't aboutm romance, It was als in, somehow, they were always meant to know each other. The next morning, several city government cars were parked outside the hospital.
The neurosurgery department was abuzz with activity. The chief surgeon and several others weren called into a meeting. As soon as Charlotte arrived, someone from the administration cto fetch her as well. Inside the conference room, she found not only the hospital staff but also two 2/3 13:06 visiting neurology experts and Winston Rivers, a city official from Riverspire.
Dean Chase made introductions.
"Deputy Commissioner Rivers, this is Charlotte, one of duties, neurosurgeons. I think she might be the best choice for this procedure." Charlotte offered a polite nod to the man at the head of the table.
Winston frowned in disbelief. "This young woman is your top surgeon? Dean Chase, are you serious?"
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